Innovating retail through tech
Inspired by the legacy of Sam Walton, who founded the first Walmart store in 1962 and cemented the world of retail, we build solutions to serve millions of customers while saving them time and money.
As a tech-empowered and human-led Walmart, we invite you to Converge @ Walmart.
Replay Converge 2021What’s in store at Converge 2022?
It's an immersive, high-energy flagship retail tech event spearheaded by Walmart Global Tech and brought to you in association with PhonePe – India's largest digital payments platform.
In its ‘reimagined' second edition, Converge aims to provide a blended experience accessible to both in-person and virtual audiences. This year, we’re back to unite Walmart and industry leaders with a mission to revolutionize the frontiers of retail tech.
Delve into insights from XXX latest research that addresses why consumer-facing businesses struggle to become truly customer-centric, data driven organizations and what needs to change to overcome the structural, cultural, and technological obstacles.
Bringing customer delight and convenience to the world's largest retailer requires rapid and seamless innovation. Doug McMillon talks about how the Walmart Global Tech teams in India help customers and members save money and live better.
Learn how Walmart is powering strong local businesses, building a digitally connected shopping ecosystem supporting customers and associates around the globe, and creating new opportunities for Indian companies to grow as part of its global supply chains, with Judith McKenna.
Innovations enabled by technology continue to benefit and help us reimagine how retail works. Suresh Kumar provides a fascinating insight into how Walmart Global Tech is transforming the way people shop in Walmart.
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Since inception, Walmart has been at the forefront to provide customers with impeccable services. But how are we doing this consistently and scaling up more efficiently? Hari Vasudev talks about how Global Tech associates use emerging technologies such as Cloud, AI, ML, and Data to roll out innovative solutions for enhancing customer experience.
.
Digital payments have seen massive growth in the country over the last few years. While tier 1 cities have led the adoption of digital payments due to better internet infrastructure, higher digital penetration, and awareness, this growth is now no longer confined to the country’s top cities. What’s driving the macro changes in small cities? How will Bharat leapfrog into the most advanced digital payments infrastructure in the world? Rahul Chari focuses on the role of tech in building digital payments solutions for Bharat.
.
Gain crucial knowledge and understanding of the nuances of ‘Bharat’ with our experts as they discuss in this fireside chat the need for building last-mile delivery systems in tier II and III cities.
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Ashwin Mahesh, Professor of Public Policy, IIM Bangalore
Arun Maira, Member of the National Innovation Council
Aditya Dev Sood, Founder and CEO, Center for Knowledge Societie
A panel discussion on the emerging innovations surrounding kiranas, smartstores and superstores to understand the instore landscape – both globally and locally. Our panelists will talk about opportunities and challenges in building a retail organization, and the tech and data-driven approach taken by key players.
- Understanding the global retail landscape
- Key players and the complete ecosystem
- Opportunities and challenges in building a retail organization
- A data and metrics-driven approach to create impact
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
A conversation on the emerging use cases of AI in the retail world. Listen to experts speak about IoT innovations and personalization in retail tech, and how we can bridge the gap from research to practice.
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
A fireside chat on how Web3 will change retail experiences. Our experts will share their opinions on building brands on the Metaverse, sensory marketing techniques, virtual currency, revenue generation and more.
- Learn about the latest innovations in retail tech
- Decipher what customers want
- Bridge the gap from research to practice
- Agile Innovations: Test, Rinse, and Repeat
A panel of experienced industry leaders will share insights on how technology can be leveraged to make retail and retail-tech workforces more inclusive. The discussion covers topics on AI inclusion, eliminating bias regarding AI, inclusivity in the retail ecosystem, and much more!
A panel of experienced industry leaders will share insights on how technology can be leveraged to make retail and retail-tech workforces more inclusive. The discussion covers topics on AI inclusion, eliminating bias regarding AI, inclusivity in the retail ecosystem and much more!
or
Sanjeev Barnwal, Founder and CTO, Meesho
- Essentials of a retail tech stack
- Robust and scalable architecture to meet the customer demand
- Nimble tech stack to keep pace with an everchanging landscape
- Building secure systems is key while working with customer data
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
or
Sanjeev Barnwal, Founder and CTO, Meesho
A panel discussion about GenZ's impact on retail and why they are a crucial player in the Metaverse's long-term growth. Hear experts on the evolving shopping formats, digitized payment methods, user experience, and social commerce.
- Essentials of a retail tech stack
- Robust and scalable architecture to meet the customer demand
- Nimble tech stack to keep pace with an everchanging landscape
- Building secure systems is key while working with customer data
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Lalit Keshre, CEO, Groww
Kavitha Subramanian, Co-founder, Upstox
Yashish Dahiya, CEO, Policy Bazaar
Over the past several decades, businesses have become adept at leveraging expertise from all corners of the globe to make and distribute their products. Now, there is growing expectation from businesses to develop global supply chain systems which are sustainable as well. Our panel of experts will share their thoughts on the current landscape of sustainability and industry partnerships, the role of AI in building sustainable supply chains.
- New channels and experiences in financial services
- Customer reaction to the digital move
- Rethink customer offerings and needs through data
- Financial inclusion to bridge the digital economy divide
Lunch Break Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Rahul Rawat, VP - Engineering, Global Tech Platforms, Walmart Global Tech India (Moderator)
- Lunch Break Service retailing and its market outlook
- Lunch BreakUsing AI and data in personalized services
- Lunch Break Anticipating customer needs and enhancing customer satisfaction
- Lunch Break Emerging opportunities in service retailing and addressing the skill gap
- Lunch Break Reacting to the pandemic and executing a successful service retail playbook
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Lalit Keshre, CEO, Groww
Kavitha Subramanian, Co-founder, Upstox
Yashish Dahiya, CEO, Policy Bazaar
- New channels and experiences in financial services
- Customer reaction to the digital move
- Rethink customer offerings and needs through data
- Financial inclusion to bridge the digital economy divide
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Akhil Vishwanatham, VP Technology - International Tech, Walmart Global Tech India (Moderator)
A fireside conversation about how social commerce platforms can create micropreneurs, help millions of women and homemakers run businesses from home, and democratize eCommerce in India.
- Service retailing and its market outlook
- Using AI and data in personalized services
- Anticipating customer needs and enhancing customer satisfaction
- Emerging opportunities in service retailing and addressing the skill gap
- Reacting to the pandemic and executing a successful service retail playbook
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Akhil Vishwanatham, VP Technology - International Tech, Walmart Global Tech India (Moderator)
The discussion will revolve around key technologies shaping the future of retail, VCs’ outlooks for an emerging retail-tech startup, investments in Web3 startups, and so much more.
- Service retailing and its market outlook
- Using AI and data in personalized services
- Anticipating customer needs and enhancing customer satisfaction
- Emerging opportunities in service retailing and addressing the skill gap
- Reacting to the pandemic and executing a successful service retail playbook
v Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Rahul Rawat, VP - Engineering, Global Tech Platforms, Walmart Global Tech India (Moderator)
- Coffee Break Service retailing and its market outlook
- Coffee BreakUsing AI and data in personalized services
- Coffee Break Anticipating customer needs and enhancing customer satisfaction
- Coffee Break Emerging opportunities in service retailing and addressing the skill gap
- Coffee BreakReacting to the pandemic and executing a successful service retail playbook
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Rahul Rawat, VP - Engineering, Global Tech Platforms, Walmart Global Tech India (Moderator)
- Service retailing and its market outlook
- Using AI and data in personalized services
- Anticipating customer needs and enhancing customer satisfaction
- Emerging opportunities in service retailing and addressing the skill gap
- Reacting to the pandemic and executing a successful service retail playbook
Stand up comedy Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
wwww Rahul Rawat,wwww VP - Engineering, Global Tech Platforms, Walmart Global Tech India (Moderator)
- wwww Service retailing and its market outlook
- wwww Using AI and data in personalized services
- wwww Anticipating customer needs and enhancing customer satisfaction
- wwww Emerging opportunities in service retailing and addressing the skill gap
- wwww Reacting to the pandemic and executing a successful service retail playbook
Closure noteConverge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Closure noteRahul Rawat,Closure note VP - Engineering, Global Tech Platforms, Walmart Global Tech India (Moderator)
- Closure note Service retailing and its market outlook
- Closure note Using AI and data in personalized services
- Closure note Anticipating customer needs and enhancing customer satisfaction
- Closure noteEmerging opportunities in service retailing and addressing the skill gap
- Closure noteReacting to the pandemic and executing a successful service retail playbook
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Shashank ND, Co-Founder & CEO, Practo
Prathap C Reddy, Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospitals
Cheryl Pegus, Walmart (Moderator)
A talk by industry experts on how on-demand delivery is changing retail. Our experts will discuss the implementation of AI in demand forecasting, supply chain, backend strategies, understanding customer behaviors, and managing risks.
- Future of healthcare and where it is headed
- Build scalable, transparent, effective, and economical healthcare delivery models
- Bridge the distance through telemedicine and virtual care
- Role of wearables and digital health solutions in healthcare
- Importance of data and AI to provide personalized healthcare
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Harshil Mathur, CEO & Co-founder, Razorpay
Arvind Ronta, Head of Products, India and South Asia, Visa
Mrinal Chatterjee, Vice President of Engineering, Marketplace and Retail & Emerging Tech · Walmart Global Tech India (Moderator)
Explore the future of India's fintech-retail collaboration landscape and the impact of fintech on democratizing retail. Our wide panel of speakers discuss leveraging the India tech stack, shaping autonomous financial products with AI, tokenization, and blockchain for data security, and using data to rethink customer offerings and needs.
- Opportunities in fintech with emergence of fintech-as-a-service platforms
- Fintech-retail collaboration enabling access to various financial products and services for millions of merchants
- Influence of AI in creating autonomous financial products
- Role of security in the fintech world
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Peter Betzel, CEO & CSO (Chief Sustainability Officer), IKEA India
This panel discussion discloses key opportunities and gaps in the tech skill landscape of India with a nod to the Gen-Z workforce. The session will cover emerging tech skills, diversity, upskilling, and the need to engage with academia to bridge the skill gap.
- The Informed Customer - their preference trends on sustainable fashion
- Current landscape on sustainability and industry partnerships
- Focus on ESG – environmental, social, and corporate governance
- Alignment to strategic and operational goals and challenges
- Supply chain support and customer advocacy
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
R Raghuraman, Head of Supply Chain Strategies, ITC
Deepak Wadhwa, Managing Director - IT for Middle East, Indian Subcontinent & Africa Region at FedEx Express
Balu Chaturvedula, VP Engineering – Item and Inventory, Walmart (Moderator)
AI has become a centerpiece of digital transformation initiatives at most organizations. It is now being used across numerous organizations to drive business value on a day-to-day basis. But have we explored all aspects of AI? Listen to our expert speakers' thought-provoking discussion on how businesses can evolve with real-time personalization, retain customers, and forecasting trends using AI.
- Emerging technology in supply chain, including the role of blockchain in innovative solutions
- Transparency and process automation solutions using IoT and other technologies
- Value of responsible sourcing to address freshness, flexibility, and agility
- Opportunities and gaps in supply chain
Lunch Break 2Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Rahul Rawat, VP - Engineering, Global Tech Platforms, Walmart Global Tech India (Moderator)
- Lunch Break 2Service retailing and its market outlook
- Lunch Break2Using AI and data in personalized services
- Lunch Break2 Anticipating customer needs and enhancing customer satisfaction
- Lunch Break2 Emerging opportunities in service retailing and addressing the skill gap
- Lunch Break2 Reacting to the pandemic and executing a successful service retail playbook
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Akhil Vishwanatham, VP Technology - International Tech, Walmart Global Tech India (Moderator)
In the world of retail, innovation is the only constant. Retail businesses will have to adapt to the latest in technology and explore areas such as retail trends, innovation hotspots, and their technological implications. In this masterclass, our expert will share how retailers can leverage technology to drive innovation in retail.
- Service retailing and its market outlook
- Using AI and data in personalized services
- Anticipating customer needs and enhancing customer satisfaction
- Emerging opportunities in service retailing and addressing the skill gap
- Reacting to the pandemic and executing a successful service retail playbook
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Lalit Keshre, CEO, Groww
Kavitha Subramanian, Co-founder, Upstox
Yashish Dahiya, CEO, Policy Bazaar
Sparktech Showcase is a tech challenge where shortlisted students and early-stage startups get to pitch their retail tech solutions to a live audience. The perks of winning the SparkTech Showcase for startups include an entry into the Walmart Startup Mentoring Program and an opportunity for students to interview for full time work or internship at Walmart Global Tech.
- New channels and experiences in financial services
- Customer reaction to the digital move
- Rethink customer offerings and needs through data
- Financial inclusion to bridge the digital economy divide
Converge promises an ultimate experience for participants' to - forge connections through strategic networking, be part of catalyzing conversations and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming the retail landscape.
Lalit Keshre, CEO, Groww
Kavitha Subramanian, Co-founder, Upstox
Yashish Dahiya, CEO, Policy Bazaar
With technology bringing in more inclusivity, the doors have widened for women to add to the tech narrative. Our panel of experts will share their awe-inspiring journey into tech and future data systems.
- New channels and experiences in financial services
- Customer reaction to the digital move
- Rethink customer offerings and needs through data
- Financial inclusion to bridge the digital economy divide
