Walmart and Symbotic have expanded their commercial agreement to bring additional automation to 25 US regional distribution centers, with an initial commitment of approximately $6 billion in spend over several years. The deal extends a partnership that began more than a decade ago with a single product and now covers a full end-to-end solution, including BreakPack each-picking and SymMicro micro-fulfillment for e-commerce. Walmart says the added automation will support e-commerce upstream inventory management, increase storage capacity and improve product flow, while Symbotic CEO Rick Cohen called the agreement a reflection of trust and shared ambition.
According to Robotics & Automation News, Walmart and Symbotic have announced an expanded commercial agreement that will bring additional automation capabilities to 25 US regional distribution centers, backed by an initial commitment of approximately $6 billion in spend covering work over several years across multiple locations.
The deal, reported on October 30, 2026, extends a relationship that began more than a decade ago with a single product and now spans a full end-to-end solution. Symbotic develops AI-enabled robotics technology for the supply chain, and its systems are already deployed inside Walmart’s US distribution network.
Beyond the 25 regional distribution centers, the agreement is designed to support additional opportunities across Walmart’s global supply chain network, helping the retailer extend automation capabilities into markets outside the United States.
A decade-long partnership scales up
Symbotic chairman and CEO Rick Cohen framed the expanded deal as the product of a long-running collaboration rather than a single transaction, noting that the relationship has widened from one product to an integrated offering.
“Our partnership with Walmart started with a single product over a decade ago, and now we offer a full end-to-end solution to help power Walmart’s growth across its supply chain for years to come. This expanded agreement reflects the strength of that collaboration – a partnership defined by trust and shared ambition.” — Rick Cohen, Chairman and CEO, Symbotic
Symbotic’s integrated solution now includes a BreakPack each-picking system and the SymMicro micro-fulfillment solution for e-commerce. All of the company’s systems run on proprietary software that uses AI to orchestrate and optimize the movement of millions of cases every day.
Walmart targets service, capacity and cost
Walmart plans to use the added automation to support e-commerce upstream inventory management, increase storage capacity and improve how products move through its regional distribution center network. The retailer says these capabilities will help it offer a broader assortment, improve speed and provide more reliable replenishment.
Rob Montgomery, executive vice president for Walmart US supply chain operations, said the investments are aimed at serving customers across every shopping channel, from stores to curbside pickup to home delivery.
“At Walmart, we’re focused on bringing more items to more customers and members, faster than ever. Our investments in the physical and digital supply chain help us serve them however they choose to shop, whether in stores, at the curbside or at home. Our work with Symbotic over the years, including this expanded agreement, helps us improve service, grow capacity, simplify work for our associates and lower costs.” — Rob Montgomery, Executive Vice President, Walmart US Supply Chain Operations
Automation footprint widens
The $6 billion commitment lands as Symbotic continues to expand its own capabilities. In 2025, the company reported that its autonomous mobile robots collectively traveled millions of miles and that its platform had surpassed 2 billion cases processed.
The two companies have expanded their partnership before: in 2022, Walmart and Symbotic announced a prior expansion to implement the automation system across Walmart’s network. The new agreement builds on that earlier rollout and pushes the technology into a larger share of Walmart’s regional distribution infrastructure.
For Walmart, the expanded deal covers work over several years across multiple locations, tying a substantial share of its supply chain capital to a single automation partner as it seeks faster replenishment and lower operating costs across its US network.
Source: Robotics & Automation News
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
