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. 

RFID systems would be operating in up to six of ifs distribution centers and 250 stores. Walmart further said that it expected to be using this technology in up to 13 distribution centers and 600 Walmart and Sam s Club stores by the end of 2005. 

In January 2008, Walmart announced its first real compliance penalties for failure to tag products, specifically for shipments to its Sam s Club chain. Walmart said in a letter to suppliers that a failure to tag pallets sent to its distribution center (DC) in DeSoto, Texas, or directly to one of its stores served by that DC after January 31 would be charged a service fee, starting at 2 per untagged pallet on February 1, 2008, and capping at 3 per pallet on January 1, 2009. 

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