Walmart has expanded its commercial agreement with AI robotics company Symbotic, committing approximately $6 billion over several years to deploy additional supply chain automation technology across its distribution network. The announcement was made on October 29, 2026, as the retail giant continues to invest in technology to improve its logistics infrastructure, increase operational capacity and strengthen its distribution capabilities.
Under the expanded agreement, Symbotic will introduce additional automation capabilities across 25 of Walmart’s regional distribution centres in the United States. The partnership will also support opportunities to expand Walmart’s supply chain capabilities across its global network.
The agreement builds on more than a decade of collaboration between the two companies. During this period, Symbotic has developed an integrated automation platform combining robotics, artificial intelligence and proprietary software to manage the movement of goods across large distribution facilities.
The company’s technology is designed to coordinate the movement of millions of cases through automated storage and retrieval systems. Its solutions also include BreakPack, an each-picking solution, and SymMicro, a micro-fulfilment solution developed to support e-commerce operations.
Through the expanded agreement, Walmart plans to introduce additional automation capabilities across its regional distribution centre network. These improvements will support upstream inventory management for e-commerce operations, increase storage capacity and improve the movement of products throughout its supply chain.
The investment is also expected to help Walmart manage a broader assortment of products while improving the speed and reliability of replenishment. By strengthening its distribution infrastructure, the company aims to make products available to customers more efficiently across its stores, curbside collection services and home delivery operations.
Rick Cohen, Chairman and CEO of Symbotic, said the partnership had developed from a single product into a comprehensive end-to-end solution supporting Walmart’s supply chain operations. He described the expanded agreement as a reflection of the trust and shared ambitions between the two companies.
Rob Montgomery, Executive Vice President for Walmart U.S. Supply Chain Operations, said investments in physical and digital supply chains were important to serving customers through different shopping channels. He added that the collaboration with Symbotic would help improve services, increase capacity, simplify work for associates and lower costs.
Symbotic’s automation platform uses artificial intelligence to coordinate warehouse activities and optimise the movement of products. Its technology is designed to address distribution challenges through high-density storage, machine learning and automated material handling.
The expanded agreement represents another step in Walmart’s efforts to strengthen its supply chain infrastructure through technology investments, with automation playing a larger role in inventory management, storage and product distribution.
