<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Alert Innovation, a provider of retail micro-fulfillment solutions, entered into a definitive agreement with Walmart to be acquired.&nbsp;
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        Walmart has been working with Alert Innovation since 2016 to develop customized technology for Walmart micro-fulfillment centers (MFC). The two companies first piloted the technology in 2019 at Walmart Salem, New Hampshire store.&nbsp;
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        With the acquisition, Walmart will be bringing the technology in-house, enabling the company to speed up the deployment of MFCs. Walmart expects this to complement its 
        <a href="https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2022/06/03/a-new-era-of-fulfillment-introducing-walmarts-next-generation-fulfillment-centers">
          fulfillment strategy
        </a>
         of reaching 95% of the US population with next or two-day shipping announced in June this year.&nbsp;
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        Alert Innovation will continue to operate under the Alert Innovation brand based in the Boston area.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        <b>Analyst QuickTake: </b>
        After piloting the MFC in the Salem store, the partnership between the companies was 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/1404">
          extended 
        </a>
        in January 2021, along with two other fulfillment companies 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/368937">
          Fabric
        </a>
         and incumbent Dematic, to open more MFCs. However, Walmart now seems to have changed its strategy by acquiring Alert Innovation to develop the technology in-house. It is not disclosed if Dematic and Fabric will be further involved in Walmart's MFC strategy. Last month Walmart also partnered with 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/356571">
          Focal Systems
        </a>
         to 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/13084">
          deploy an AI-based camera system
        </a>
         for inventory management in Canadian stores after 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/1394">
          ending its partnership
        </a>
         with 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/149981">
          Bossa Nova Robotics
        </a>
         in 2020 for a similar purpose.&nbsp;
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/2022/10/06/expanding-walmarts-market-fulfillment-center-capabilities-through-automation">
      Walmart
    </a>
  </p>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221006005563/en/Alert-Innovation-Signs-Definitive-Agreement-to-Be-Acquired-by-Walmart">
      Press release
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


All Updates

Alert Innovation to be acquired by Walmart

Alert Innovation opens new headquarters to accommodate expansion