NEWS / OCT.2026
Walmart commits approximately $6 billion to automate its warehouses
Walmart and Symbotic have expanded their distribution center automation agreement. The companies plan to add capabilities at 25 of Walmart’s regional centers in the United States.
Walmart and Symbotic are expanding their automation agreement with an additional commitment of approximately $6 billion
Walmart and Symbotic signed and announced an agreement to expand distribution center automation on October 29, 2026. Walmart is initially committing to spend approximately an additional $6 billion over several years on systems and development programs.
The companies plan to add automation capabilities at 25 of Walmart’s regional centers in the United States. The financial commitment covers a broader scope than those sites alone. The contractual framework is global, while the purchasing programs agreed upon cover ambient-temperature areas in the United States and certain other markets in the Americas.
According to Symbotic’s Form 8-K, the initial commitment includes $125 million for research and development. This amount is allocated to next-generation shelving and functions related to goods picking, flow management and inventory. Licensing, support and maintenance are in addition to the initial commitment.
A partnership that predates the 25 announced centers
In 2022, Walmart and Symbotic had already planned to deploy the platform across all 42 of the retailer’s regional centers in the United States, following an earlier commitment covering 25 centers.
The 25 centers cited in 2026 are to receive additional capabilities. The announcements do not establish the current status of each of the 42 sites in the 2022 project or support an assumption that the two groups of centers are distinct.
Previous agreements remain in effect unless expressly amended or superseded by the new agreement, Symbotic’s filing states.
Robots to prepare pallets
Symbotic’s software uses artificial intelligence to organize the storage and movement of goods. Robots automate sorting, storage and retrieval operations, then help prepare pallets destined for stores.
Walmart and Symbotic say they aim to increase capacity and make restocking faster and more reliable. These objectives describe the benefits the companies are seeking; they are not measured results of the new agreement.