---
title: 2025 Walmart & Sam's Club Virtual Event
description: Walmart has fundamentally changed its business. No longer “just” a retailer, Walmart has built a blended business of services and products. Understanding the business implications and aligning with Walmart’s goals has never been more critical.
image: https://retailiq.kantar.com/hubfs/Icon%20image_500x500-Apr-01-2024-07-41-50-0093-PM.png
---
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## 2025 Walmart & Sam's Club Virtual Event
23 & 24 April 2025
Virtual
[Register](https://retailiq.kantar.com/2025-walmart-samsclub-virtual-event#REGISTER)
[2025 Agenda](https://retailiq.kantar.com/hubfs/2025%20Events/Kantars%202025%20Walmart%20and%20Sams%20Club%20virtual%20event%20agenda.pdf?hsLang=en)
.jpg?width=1280&height=720&name=Walmart-Sams-1280x720_2025%20(1).jpg "Walmart-Sams-1280x720_2025 (1)")
### Overview
Walmart enters 2025 facing economic uncertainty, potential trade barriers, and shoppers exhausted by inflation. How well is Walmart positioned to weather potential disruptions? Which retailers are outperforming Walmart and why? And what does Walmart’s investment strategy indicate about current and future expectations for suppliers? We’ll address these questions during this virtual event.
Insights you’ll gain from this event include:
- A strong grasp of macroeconomic, shopper, and retail trends to help you plan your business at Walmart and other key retail customers
- An understanding of how Walmart is changing its strategies to encompass services, omnichannel options, and loyalty programs
- A look ahead as we predict the likely outcomes and challenges in 2025 and the changing dynamics among manufacturers, shoppers, and retailers
what to expect
## Conference Agenda
#### Reach out to [events@kantarconsulting.com](mailto:events@kantarconsulting.com) for questions.
DAY 1: April 23 DAY 2: April 24
9:00-9:10 AM CT
**Welcome and introduction**
*Karen Kelso, Vice President, Mass and Club*
9:10-9:45 AM CT
**2025 macro outlook and implications for Walmart**
*Doug Hermanson, Principal Economist, Retail Insights*
Shoppers and retailers are facing an uncertain economic environment in 2025 that will bring opportunities and challenges to retailers and manufacturers.
Topics we’ll discuss include:
- Employment, inflation, and interest rate trends influencing Walmart
- Recent and potential US policy changes
- Retail forecasts for 2025
9:45-10:20 AM CT
**Taking a look at Walmart shoppers**
*Julie Craig, Vice President, Shopper Insights*
Walmart’s shoppers are beset with worries and stress. We’ll dig into their key attributes and perceptions to understand what is top of mind.
Topics we’ll discuss include:
- Walmart shopper demographics and what they mean for the future
- How to evolve with changing shopper behaviors and preferences
- Ways to keep up with digital engagement
10:20-10:55 AM CT
**Examining Walmart's FY25 performance**
*Karen Kelso, Vice President, Retail Insights*
Walmart posted record sales in FY25 and expects even stronger results in FY26. We’ll detail how Walmart plans to generate even greater sales and profits.
Topics we’ll cover include:
- The impacts of technology on inventory and investment
- How shifting purchase patterns will affect future sales and profitability
- What Walmart’s investment choices mean for suppliers
10:55-11:10 AM CT
**BREAK**
11:10-11:45 AM CT
**Walmart’s flywheel evolution: Gathering momentum**
*Karen Kelson, Vice President, Retail Insights*
Walmart’s ecosystem strategy is becoming more fully embedded in its operations. What do these developments mean for suppliers and customers?
Topics we’ll discuss include:
- The benefits and drawbacks of B2B and B2C services
- Decision-making and points of leverage
- Attributes and capabilities necessary for shaping the future
11:45 AM-12:20 PM CT
**Walmart and Amazon: The battle for dominance**
*Anna Brennan, Senior Analyst, Retail Insights
Karen Kelso, Vice President, Mass and Club*
Walmart and Amazon are locked in fierce competition for US retail dominance. As the two retailers look more alike than different, what are the implications for shoppers, suppliers, and competitors?
Topics we’ll discuss include:
- Key similarities and differences between Walmart’s and Amazon’s business strategies
- Success and opportunities with investment strategies
- Implications, impacts, and predictions for the future
12:20-12:30 PM CT
**Day 1 wrap-up**
*Karen Kelso, Vice President, Mass and Club*
12:30-12:50 PM CT
**Ask me anything: Open Q&A**
*Karen Kelso, Vice President, Mass and Club*
9:00-9:10 AM CT
**Welcome and introduction**
*Karen Kelso, Vice President, Mass and Club*
9:10-9:45 AM CT
**The impacts of DEI policies on retailers**
*Taylre Stumpf, Senior Analyst, Retail Insights*
The Trump administration has moved to abolish DEI initiatives across the federal government. Conservative activists are pressuring retailers to minimize their diversity initiatives or risk shareholder lawsuits and political disfavor.
Topics we’ll cover include:
- An overview of retailers’ responses to DEI modification requests
- How shoppers feel about retailers’ DEI initiatives
- Implications for retailers and CPG/FMCG brands
9:45-10:20 AM CT
**Sam’s Club’s growth plans**
*Gina Logan, Principal Analyst, Retail Insights*
Sam’s Club turned in another strong financial performance in FY25 and has continued its momentum. What do we expect from Sam’s Club this year?
Topics we’ll discuss include:
- The club’s current and future growth drivers
- Investment plans for 2025 and beyond
- Future areas of competition in the club channel
10:20 AM-10:55 AM ET
**Profiling Sam's Club members**
*Julie Craig, Vice President, Shopper Insights*
Sam’s Club members are the lifeblood of its club business, so understanding them better will forge a stronger bond with the retailer.
Topics we’ll discuss include:
- Key motives, attitudes, and behaviors of Sam’s Club members
- How Sam’s Club members’ priorities and preferences are evolving
- How you can best align your strategy to connect with Sam’s Club members
10:55-11:10 AM ET
**BREAK**
11:10-11:45 AM CT
**Tariffs and the implications of volatile trade policies**
David Marcotte, Senior Vice President, Global and Technology
President Trump has vowed to use tariffs as a prime source of revenue in 2025. Tariffs and related import fees have material effects on product costs for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. Walmart is the largest retail importer into the US. Walmart imports over 1 million containers into the US per year, almost all from China and Asia.
Topics we’ll discuss include:
- Likely outcomes of current and future tariffs
- Impacts on production, selling, and purchasing of food and nonfood categories
- Retailers and channels with competitive advantages and how they will likely combat trade tariffs
11:45 AM-12:20 PM CT
**Anything, anytime, all at once: Selling in the attention economy**
*Karen Kelso, Vice President, Mass and Club*
Consumers have unlimited choices for acquiring the products they need and want to buy. How do brands break through the cacophony to make a sale and build connections?
Topics we’ll discuss include:
- How today’s supersaturated environment affects consumers
- What consumers want and why they want it
- Implications for creating resonance and trust with brands
12:20-12:30 PM CT
**Day 2 recap**
*Karen Kelso, Vice President, Mass and Club*
12:30-12:50 PM CT
**Ask me anything: Open Q&A**
*Karen Kelso, Vice President, Mass and Club*
How to attend
## Available tickets
SEATBLOCK HOLDER?
[Talk to our event team ›](mailto:events@kantarconsulting.com)
Coming SOON! Meet the experts
## Event Speakers
*Check back for our speaker updates.*
We’re here to amplify your potential. Bringing exceptional experience across industries and organizations. Delivering a deep understanding of retailers and shoppers. We’ll help you meet and exceed your goals.
Karen Kelso
Vice President, Mass and Club
Julie Craig
Vice President, Shopper Insights
Gina Logan
Principal Analyst, Club
Taylre Stumpf
Senior Analyst, Target
Doug Hermanson
Principal Economist
Anna Brennan
Senior Analyst, Digital
David Marcotte
Senior Vice President, Global and Technology
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