Walmart partners with Rakuten in latest push against Amazon

The collaboration will see the big box retailer Walmart and Japanese e-commerce marketplace Rakuten team up to launch an online grocery delivery service in Japan, and offer eBooks and audiobooks in the United States.    Big box retailer Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Walmart) and Japanese e-commerce marketplace Rakuten, Inc. have formed a new strategic alliance in the latest push to keep up with e-commerce giant Amazon.
   The collaboration will see Walmart and Rakuten team up to launch an online grocery delivery service in Japan, and offer eBooks and audiobooks, as well as Rakuten Kobo eReaders, both online and in stores in the United States, according to a joint statement from the companies.
   The alliance represents a direct challenge to Amazon in the book and eBook market, where Amazon got it’s start, but in a larger sense, the deal is another signal from large retailers like Walmart that they will not go quietly into the e-commerce night.
   Rakuten and Walmart subsidiary Seiyu GK have agreed to establish a joint venture with the aim of launching a new online grocery delivery service in Japan in the second half of 2018.
   The service, which will be known as Rakuten Seiyu Netsuper, aims to leverage the specific expertise of each company, showcasing Seiyu’s “twin strengths of ‘quality’ and ‘low prices,’” and Rakuten’s expertise in e-commerce to offer everything from fresh produce to fully-prepared meal kits via a site with an optimized user experience.
   The companies plan to further leverage Rakuten’s experience with big data and artificial intelligence to offer personalized customer offerings.
   Under the agreement, Walmart will also become the exclusive retail partner for Rakuten’s Kobo brand in the U.S., adding eBooks and audiobooks to Walmart.com later this year, as well as digital book cards in stores.
   All eBook content will be accessible through a Walmart/Kobo co-branded application available on all iOS and Android devices, a desktop app and Kobo e-Readers, which will also be sold at Walmart later this year.
   “Rakuten is a strong e-commerce business and we’re excited to collaborate with the top online shopping destination in Japan,” Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart, said of the agreement. “Here in Japan and everywhere we operate, we’re constantly exploring new ways to make every day easier for customers by offering great experiences in stores, online, via mobile—no matter how customers want to shop. We look forward to expanding our grocery footprint in Japan and launching a new offering of eBooks and audiobooks for our customers in the U.S.”
   “As global leaders in e-commerce and offline shopping, Rakuten and Walmart are uniquely positioned to empower our customers around the world with innovative services,” added Rakuten Chairman, President and CEO Hiroshi Mikitani. “We are excited to partner with Walmart because of its commitment to creating the best solutions to serve customers with low prices.”