OREANDA-NEWS. In opening remarks at the company's 21st Annual Meeting for the Investment Community, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) President and CEO Doug McMillon outlined the company's growth strategy, including plans to invest in new capabilities and to continue improving the customer experience at all Walmart stores. McMillon addressed how Walmart is well-positioned to meet the needs and preferences of an ever-evolving customer base.

Improving on four key customer dimensions - price, assortment, experience and access

McMillon said, "Customers make their shopping decisions based on four key dimensions - price assortment, experience and access. What we can offer them, and how we compete across those dimensions, is changing.

"Today, a customer has a desire for more items, more assortment, more choice than ever before," he continued. "We have tens of millions of customers visiting us weekly online and through our mobile apps looking for information, product options and then buying merchandise from us in stores and online. We're known for assortment and we will be in the future."

Discussing price and experience, McMillon went on to say, "At Walmart, we serve value-conscious customers that come from all walks of life and all income levels. Price matters to our customers and it always will. As a company, being a low cost operator is in our DNA. This will never change and we will be the price leader, across a broad assortment, everywhere we operate. Experience is about customer service. From our associates in stores to our engineers and data scientists, we'll invent new ways to surprise and delight customers."

McMillon noted that the ways customers access Walmart is being redefined. "There is a growing consensus that the future of retail is not just in-store and not just online. The winners in retail will be those that can put them together. Frankly, we think we're already doing the harder part. Locations matter because convenience matters. We have the stores, the associates, and the expertise in the physical world that others will need to build."

McMillon continued, "To capture the upside of our strategic advantages, we need to develop a more seamless relationship with our customers. We won't just be a store on the street. We'll support our customers' lives, with them in the driver's seat, to save them money and time. We'll give customers the choices they want and need by integrating digital and physical retail. As we have many times before, we'll exceed our customers' expectations, and as a result, we will win the new era of retail."

McMillon also spoke about the state of the company: "We have an important purpose - saving people money so they can live better. Our company is built on a foundation of strong values and integrity. Compliance continues to be a priority for us and a key to building trust with our customers and other stakeholders. However, we go beyond compliance to make a difference on sustainability and other big issues. Our stores are part of their communities. We fight hunger and provide disaster relief while creating opportunities for our associates. We are a company where you can go as far as your hard work will take you. Last year, more than 170,000 people got a promotion in our U.S. business."