Industry Intelligence

The NPD Group Inc. has reached an agreement with Walmart to receive and analyze the Bentonville, Ark.-based mega-retailer’s U.S. point-of-sale information. NPD currently gets information from more than 900 retailers representing 150,000 stores worldwide.

According to the agreement, NPD will receive sales data from Walmart U.S. stores and walmart.com. The agreement encompasses a broad set of general merchandise categories spanning the Walmart merchandise units of Entertainment, Apparel, Home, Hardlines and Toys. Walmart information will be integrated into NPD products, which are used by thousands of decision-makers at manufacturers and retailers to pinpoint high-value market opportunities and monitor business performance.

“This agreement is truly a game changer for NPD and for the industry,” said Karyn Schoenbart, President and COO at Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD. “With Walmart data, we will be able to provide our clients with world-class information and solidify our leadership position as the premier source of market insight in our industries.”

“Our agreement with NPD will provide Walmart with deeper insights into what consumers are buying and what they are looking to buy,” added Cindy Davis, EVP of Walmart global customer insights. “We are sharing our point-of-sale information so that we’re able to identify opportunities sooner and work with our manufacturer partners to develop more impactful customer-driven programs in the future.”

Walmart will use NPD as its main provider of data for the general merchandise categories tracked by NPD, and NPD DisplaySearch as a new supplier of forecasting analysis for the electronics team. NPD recently signed an agreement with Walmart division Sam’s Club to receive point-of-sale information from Sam’s Club and samsclub.com.