At a time when most retailers are either playing a furious game of digital catch-up or plotting next-stage media strategies, land-based merchandising services might seem downright staid by comparison. In fact, many leading brands and retailers are swinging their attention back to the original point of decision, the store, and for good reason – efficient in-store execution is a vital link in any meaningful multi-channel, multi-format retail strategy.

In her presentation, Pam Kohn outlined how Walmart’s merchandising services organization is broadening its reach as it continues to build global scale. Although merchandising could be called the world’s oldest retail profession, Walmart’s merchandising services group, comprised of five segments, launched a little less than a year ago.