Empowering Customers to Reduce Food Waste Through Optimised Merchandising

Why It Matters

The pilot proves that targeted merchandising and consumer education can simultaneously reduce food waste and lift sales, offering a replicable model for retailers seeking sustainability and profit gains.

Key Takeaways

• Dedicated bakery fixtures increased near‑expiry sales velocity
• 38% of fresh shoppers regularly buy discounted items
• 85% prefer separate sections for near‑expiry products
• 57% would scan QR codes for sustainability info
• Supports Walmart’s regenerative goals and label standardization

Pulse Analysis

Food waste remains a critical challenge for the global supply chain, and retailers are under pressure to find solutions that cut loss while preserving margins. Walmart’s partnership with the Consumer Goods Forum’s Food Waste Coalition reflects a strategic shift toward regenerative business models, leveraging both digital education and physical store design to change shopper habits. By creating a public‑facing hub that offers recipes, shelf‑life tips, and clear date‑label guidance, Walmart addresses the confusion that often drives consumers to discard perfectly edible products.

The pilot’s dual‑channel approach—online content paired with high‑visibility in‑store fixtures—proved effective in the Fresh Bakery category. Over 100 test stores consolidated discounted items into dedicated “Save Some Dough” islands, a move that resonated with shoppers: 85% said they prefer near‑expiry goods isolated from regular inventory, and sales velocity improved compared with control locations. Moreover, 57% of participants expressed interest in QR‑code links to sustainability information, indicating a growing appetite for transparent, tech‑enabled engagement. These metrics demonstrate that clear signage, strategic placement, and educational resources can nudge consumers toward value‑driven, waste‑reducing purchases.

The broader implications extend beyond Walmart’s aisles. Retailers nationwide can adopt similar modular merchandising and digital outreach to meet both ESG targets and profit objectives. Standardizing date labels—shifting toward “Best If Used By” for quality and “Use By” for safety—further simplifies decision‑making, reducing the psychological barrier to buying near‑expiry items. As supply‑chain stakeholders, from manufacturers to waste‑management firms, align around these practices, the industry can collectively lower landfill contributions while unlocking incremental revenue streams. Walmart’s pilot thus serves as a blueprint for scaling food‑waste reduction across the retail sector.