Wal-Mart's start-up incubator Store No 8 wants to find the next big technology that will disrupt the retail industry not in the next few years, but in the next few *decades*.
Co-founder Katie Finnegan joined Cheddar to discuss the business's mission.
"What we're trying to do is incubate new ideas that are generally being driven by emerging technologies," she said. "Things that are may be too nascent for the 160 million or so Americans we, Wal-mart, serve every week, but that we believe, when it becomes a viable operational reality, will have a material step-change impact."
Among those technologies: virtual reality. Store No 8 recently held an "Innovate" event in Los Angeles highlighting those advancements. Finnegan says VR will "really change the game in terms of merchandising".
While the subsidiary aims to create businesses that will eventually be acquired by the retail giant, it also knows there could be third party options.
"We have discussed that some of these things might have revenue streams outside of [Wal-Mart] and we would definitely be open to that."
Finnegan calls Store No 8 a "unicorn opportunity" for entrepreneurs. The company recently acquired Bart Stein and the team over at Wim Yogurt. It's planning at least two more acquisitions by the end of the year.
To watch the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/wal-mart-and-the-future-of-retail).
Georgie Dickins, founder of Women in Leadership Global and author of ‘Leading with Impact,’ shares thoughts on women in business and how to cultivate a supportive community.
Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY and Jordan Shapiro, senior managing director at Bachrach Group, break down February’s jobs report and what it means for workers.
Linda Moore, president and CEO of Technet, explains why the U.S. should be a leader in A.I., plus why deepfakes and misinformation could be a concern during the election season.
Steve Preston, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, shares how the organization’s programs have helped over 2 million people develop their tech skills.
Box office analyst Shawn Robbins breaks down how the theater business is faring as two of 2023’s biggest movies are on their way to the Academy Awards.
Burns McKinney, portfolio manager at NFJ Investment Group, discusses how the Fed is balancing recession risks and interest rate cuts, plus whether the tech rally will broaden.
Nick Wolny, CNet editor, tells consumers about BNPL being added to credit reports – and why they may want to be more cautious about using it as an option.
