Boston, MA 05/06/2014 (wallstreetpr) – It might be hard to fathom, but it is the fact that Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) exceeded rival Amazon.com, Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) in online sales growth, in fiscal 2013. The results are coming a little bit late in the year, but they will have a significant impact on how the companies shape their online businesses.
According to Internet Retailer, a trade publication that tracks e-commerce activities, Wal-Mart grew its online sales by 30 percent to $10 billion in fiscal 2013. As for Amazon, online sales increased by 20 percent in 2013. It was the first time in a decade that Amazon deputized Wal-Mart in online sales.
However, its online sales by scale far exceeded the $10 billion figure that Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) realized in fiscal 2013. In fact, its scale dwarfed the combined performance of 10 of its closest competitors that include Wal-Mart, Staples Inc (NASDAQ:SPLS) and Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL).
Furthermore, Amazon’s total online sales in the year were more than six-times the sales that Wal-Mart made in the year at $67.8 billion against $10 billion. Nonetheless, the fact that Wal-Mart noted the highest sales improvement is likely to wake up Amazon to aggressive action as it means the threat is coming to its doorsteps.
Wal-Mart making acquisitions
Retailers are seeking bigger presence online as shoppers’ habit change across the nation and even worldwide. Many shoppers, today, prefer to order items online and wait to get them delivered to their doorsteps. As such, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) and its peers that had a delayed move to online are compensating for their delay by acquiring firms that can aid quick growth online.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is expected to announce the acquisition of Adchemy, a company that provides optimized marketing solutions for retailers.
Online investment
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) has earmarked hundreds of millions of dollars to invest in the expansion and improvement of its online presence. Having spent almost $500 million in fiscal 2013 towards e-commerce investments, the company expects to spend another $150 million this year. And it hopes to hit $13 billion in online sales in 2014, suggesting about 30 percent improvement.
