Walmart Global E-Commerce Sales Surge 27% Indicating Strong Digital Momentum
Jan 26, 2026
Overview of Walmart’s strong 27% global e-commerce growth and related digital trends, plus valuation notes.
Walmart Inc. (WMT) continues to demonstrate significant digital growth, with its global e-commerce sales rising 27% year over year in the third quarter. This performance, driven by strong execution across all segments - Walmart U.S., Sam’s Club, and Walmart International - highlights the retailer's robust digital momentum.
Walmart U.S. Leads with Faster Fulfillment
In the U.S. segment, e-commerce sales grew an impressive 28%. Key drivers included store-fulfilled pickup and delivery services, marketplace expansion, and advertising. Faster order fulfillment played a pivotal role, with approximately 35% of store-fulfilled digital orders delivered in under three hours during the quarter. Additionally, Walmart reported nearly 70% growth in sales through expedited delivery channels, underscoring the increasing importance of speed and convenience in attracting customers to its digital offerings.
Sam’s Club Benefits from Digital Integration
Sam’s Club U.S. recorded a 22% growth in e-commerce sales, supported by tools like Scan & Go, curbside pickup, and delivery services. Usage of Scan & Go reached 36%, reflecting a 450-basis-point increase year over year, while club-fulfilled delivery experienced triple-digit growth for another consecutive quarter. These trends indicate that digital solutions are becoming deeply embedded in the shopping habits of Sam’s Club members.
Walmart International Expands Digital Presence
Walmart International also delivered strong results, with e-commerce sales advancing 26%. This growth was fueled by marketplace expansion and store-fulfilled pickup and delivery services, with notable strength in markets such as China and Flipkart. Nearly one-third of Walmart’s international business is now digital, showcasing the retailer’s ability to scale its operations globally.
Industry Comparison: Digital Momentum at Costco and Target
While Walmart’s digital growth stood at 27%, competitors are also making strides in the e-commerce space. Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) reported a 20.5% increase in digitally enabled comparable sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2026, driven by engagement in non-food and bulky item categories. Meanwhile, Target Corporation (TGT) continues to prioritize same-day fulfillment as a key driver of digital sales, which rose 2.4% during the third quarter. Same-day delivery services at Target grew by more than 35%, reflecting steady customer adoption.
Sustaining Walmart’s Digital Growth
Walmart’s ability to sustain its more than 20% e-commerce growth will depend on its capacity to efficiently scale its omnichannel platform across various markets and formats. Key factors contributing to this success include faster delivery options, marketplace expansion, deeper integration of advertising, and increasing customer usage of digital tools.
"Faster delivery, an expanding marketplace, deeper advertising integration, and rising customer and member usage suggest that digital growth is becoming part of everyday shopping behavior", the article noted.
Stock Performance and Valuation
In addition to its strong operational performance, Walmart’s stock has shown a 28.6% increase over the past year, slightly outpacing the industry’s growth of 27.7%. From a valuation perspective, Walmart trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 40.63, compared to the industry average of 36.81. The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests Walmart’s fiscal 2026 and 2027 earnings are expected to grow 4.8% and 12.3% year over year, respectively.
As the retail giant continues to refine its digital strategy, the company is well-positioned to maintain its strong momentum in the evolving e-commerce landscape.