Giant retailer Walmart (WMT) caught a lot of attention recently when it delivered, in a big way, for the 2024 holiday shopping season. Walmart had the deals people wanted, and they stuck to those deals like no tomorrow. But it also saw a problem with its delivery, and is now working to address that issue with its Spark delivery drivers. It may be a modest improvement, but it had an impact with investors, sending shares up fractionally in Friday afternoon’s trading.
Walmart is now requiring all Spark drivers bring their driver’s licenses to their nearest Walmart location, and they have until the end of this week to do so. Without that license being on file with Walmart, they will be unable to use the Spark app. But this is, interestingly, not all stick; there is a carrot that goes along with this. Drivers who provide their licenses will be paid $15.
Walmart has, apparently, been having a problem with confirming and verifying the identities of those who drive for the Spark service. Further, there was a growing number of identity fraud incidents, which apparently, Walmart looks to address by putting multiple tools in place. Back in 2023, it used a facial recognition tool in the Spark app. But with Spark accounts being sold on social media, it was clear stronger measures were required to make sure those driving for Spark were legally permitted to do so.
Because of Course There is a Walmart Museum
Yes, there is a Walmart Museum, and yes, it is currently set to reopen. New reports note that the celebration of one of America’s biggest corporate giants is poised to return to Bentonville Square, and will also include some new exhibits.
One of the biggest new exhibits is a holographic version of founder Sam Walton, which is able to answer questions about Walmart. Further, the museum was out to preserve the look of the original five-and-10 store from which the Walmart chain grew. The museum, along with the accompanying gift shop and the Spark Cafe eatery will all reopen on Friday, and has been open for about a half-hour now on the East Coast.
Is Walmart Stock a Good Buy Right Now?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on WMT stock based on 27 Buys and one Hold assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 41.6% rally in its share price over the past year, the average WMT price target of $111.96 per share implies 31.53% upside potential.
Questions or Comments about the article? Write to editor@tipranks.com