The Walmart Distribution Center

In the United States, Walmart distributes products to its 3,000 stores from 158 distribution centers (DCs) ([129]). Individual DC locations may have over 12 miles of conveyor belts that facilitate the movement of goods Inbound shipments from suppliers become outbound shipments to stores. Each DC supports around 100 stores within a 200-mile radius. A private fleet of trucks and 7,000 drivers convey goods from suppliers to stores, logging more than 700 million miles each year. Trucks using auxiliary power units enable saving in emissions and costs. This reduces the environmental footprint and lowers costs. 

The ideal location for product within the Walmart supply chain is the store, where goods can be purchased by customers, rather than in a warehouse. Over 100,000 suppliers, many of whom deliver daily, coordinate with DCs to keep product moving all the way to the store. Product brought into the Walmart DC is usually crossdocked and shipped out within 48 hours. Therefore the supply chain facilities are viewed as conduits for product flow rather than as storage units. By providing central buyers with the flexibility to adjust orders, crossdocking at Walmart can operate efficiently. Loads to stores can be optimized and balanced with 

Store inventories. Goods arrive at store delivery docks during preplanned nighttime periods. 

Walmart s next supply chain goal is to integrate e-commerce and store inventory. Customers can place orders on the company website and pick items up at stores. However, in some areas, they can also order at the store and get same-day delivery for a fixed delivery charge. All of these alternate flows of product make the DC and store inventory a seamless supply chain for the customer. 

---