If you asked Sam Walton, Walmart’s founder, the secret to success, he would say, "We're all working together; that's the secret.”
As Walmart Canada works to better serve its customers, including becoming the number one omnichannel retailer in the country, its teams are hard at work to create the best possible omnichannel experience.
At Walmart Canada’s Year Beginning Meeting in March 2024, the retailer’s first-ever President’s Innovation Award was presented to data scientists Viona Wang, Anvesh Yanigandla, and Amitoj Brar, the team behind the successful implementation of Gen AI-powered substitutions on Walmart.ca and the Walmart Canada app.
The President’s Innovation Award at Walmart Canada celebrates innovation, teamwork, and forward-thinking solutions that set Walmart Canada apart, specifically a team that makes a significant impact by developing or scaling new businesses or capabilities.
Transforming online grocery operations
“At Walmart Canada, the customer is number one. This drives innovation in satisfying customer needs,” said Anvesh Yanigandla, Sr. Manager Data Science, Walmart Canada.
Viona, Anvesh and Amitoj used Generative AI to tackle one of the most critical challenges in online grocery operations – product substitutions – which can be a major pain point for online grocery customers.
When items are out of stock, finding the right substitute is key. Together, they developed a smart, multi-layered AI solution that analyzes product attributes like brand, dietary needs, allergens, cultural sensitivities, and customer preferences to pick the best substitutes to make and keep our customers happy. Their innovation enhances availability, reliability, and trust for both associates and customers, ensuring customers receive their groceries without disruption.
Their work isn't just about AI – it’s about ensuring customers get the groceries they need without any hiccups and empowering associates with smart tools to work more efficiently.
Added Viona Wang, Data Scientist, Walmart Canada, “Walmart Canada is a destination for innovation, committed to embracing new technologies and ideas. We continue to redefine the retail industry by investing in emerging technologies, fostering a culture of creative, innovative thinking, and prioritizing customer-centric solutions.”
Walmart Canada is proud to be leading the way in innovation, and the Decision Intelligence team’s achievement is a shining example of what’s possible when technology and teamwork come together.
