WMT · News · 20261020N

Supply Chain and Inventory

Walmart Inc. · 2026-10-20 · Importance 40 · Surprise 56

Walmart’s inventory and accounts payable absorbed approximately $1.0 billion in the first half of fiscal 2027, compared with $0.6 billion a year earlier. The roughly 67% year-over-year increase suggests a larger inventory commitment and greater working-capital absorption. The report highlights Walmart’s practice of collecting customer cash before supplier invoices are due, which helps finance merchandise growth. Inflation and expanded inventory requirements are testing how efficiently sales convert into cash.

Key facts

• Inventory and accounts payable together absorbed approximately $1.0 billion in the first half of fiscal 2027, compared with supplying $0.6 billion a year earlier. source
• Walmart disclosed $1,890,000 in lobbying expenditures for Q3 2026 covering issues from veteran programs and supply chain policy to tax rates and AI deployment in retail. source