Walmart has committed about $6 billion to expand automation with Symbotic Inc., a deal the supplier says could add up to $6.92 billion to its future backlog.
The agreement, signed Oct. 29 and disclosed in a Symbotic Form 8-K, sets a multiyear framework for purchases at multiple locations. The companies announced added automation capabilities at 25 U.S. regional distribution centers and said the framework could support projects across Walmart’s global supply chain. Purchase addenda signed with the agreement specify automated material-handling systems for ambient areas at U.S. distribution or fulfillment centers, as well as selected markets in the Americas.
A separate $125 million development program will support research into next-generation racking and related work involving picking, process flow and inventory management. That amount is part of the initial commitment. Walmart or its affiliates will pay additional fees beyond that commitment for system licenses and support, operations and maintenance, other agreed support services, spare parts and related costs.
Symbotic said the initial spending may increase its future backlog by up to $6.92 billion. The company’s filing says realizing the agreement’s expected benefits is subject to risks, so the possible backlog increase is not guaranteed. The new commitment also adds to purchase commitments under existing agreements, which remain in force except where changed or superseded under the new agreement.
Walmart said the work aims to improve upstream e-commerce inventory management, increase storage capacity and move products through its network more effectively. The company cited wider product selection, faster service and more reliable replenishment as possible benefits, and said the expanded agreement may also simplify work for associates and lower costs.
Symbotic’s fiscal 2025 annual report says a 2022 amendment covered systems across all 42 of Walmart’s regional distribution centers and added about $6.1 billion to backlog at the time.
Symbotic plans to report its fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year 2026 results after market close on Nov. 23. A webcast is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET that day.
