Hello -
I’m writing to share a few updates about what our team has been up to the over past few months.
I want to thank all our frontline healthcare workers, teachers, retail workers and everyone who is working so hard to see us through this pandemic. All of us at Walmart support you and are grateful for your efforts. You all continue to inspire me.
To our customers, thank you for your continued trust.
It remains not business as usual at Walmart
In recent weeks, customers have faced new government mandated restrictions in their communities. Walmart is complying with the new measures introduced. We have a detailed COVID-19 page on Walmart.ca which includes a lot of helpful information, including all the safety measures we’ve implemented.
At the same time, I appreciate that the pandemic has been extremely challenging for many small retail businesses. As I’ve shared publicly with media and government officials, Walmart would like to see all retail businesses – including our biggest and smallest competitors – able to remain open with proper capacity restrictions and strict safety protocols.
We’ve also accelerated payments to our small Canadian suppliers and service providers and are working with all our Canadian suppliers to serve our customers in-store and online with items at Walmart’s everyday low prices.
Thanking our associates
I’m so proud of all our associates.
They truly do represent the diversity we enjoy in Canada, which is one of the reasons I’m pleased to share Walmart Canada was recently recognized as a champion of diversity and inclusion for our dedication to hiring a diverse workforce.
Every day, I also hear amazing stories about our associates stepping up and helping their communities. People like Shane, a manager from a store in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan who drove a stranded customer home when a snowstorm hit the city. Or associates at our store in Simcoe, Ontario who arranged a special “essential workers” shopping event for the temporary foreign workers from a local farm, including a welcome sign and cheers as they arrived!
Last week, all active store, distribution centre and fleet associates in Canada received a new appreciation bonus – that’s 85,000 associates! The bonus is another way we’re saying thank you to our team.
Overall, we’ve invested an additional $125 million this year in associate support, including enhanced associates discount days, no-cost access to tele-health care professionals, mental health support and counseling through EQ Care.
I love this new video, an extra special thank you to our amazing associates from Canadians across the country. If you’re visiting a store or interacting with an associate while they load groceries into your car, a thank you – from a distance – goes a long way.
Holiday shopping – now more choices than ever
To make shopping in our store more convenient our innovation team launched an exciting new feature on the Walmart App called Book a Store Visit where you can pre-book a shopping time. I’ve tried it and the feature is simple to use.
Tap payment is also now available in Walmart stores across Canada – you asked, we listened!
Overall, demand on Walmart.ca remains high. We’ve hired more than 20,0000 new associates throughout the pandemic, many of whom are supporting our online business.
Giving back to our communities
We’re continuing to work with our national charity partners to support our communities when they need it most.
· Our recent Breakfast Club of Canada campaign contributed record $3.7 million to school breakfast programs, including a $1 million donation from Walmart Canada.
· The Spark A Miracle campaign in support of Children’s Miracle Network is now live. Customers can donate at the checkout or Walmart.ca to directly benefit Children’s Miracle Network Canada member hospitals.
· Guess who is back? Teddy! Walmart’s beloved Teddy Bear, is featured again in this year’s holiday commercial. Walmart will donate $2 to Children’s Miracle Network for every Walmart Teddy Bear purchased.
· We are supporting The Salvation Army’s kettle campaign and other programs to help the most vulnerable.
Please proritize your safety. Wear a mask and wash your hands.
Have a happy holiday season.
Horacio Barbeito
President and CEO
Walmart Canada
