Only a handful of retailers have a truly national footprint. Walmart, which boasts that 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of one of its stores, stands as one such chain.
On the retail front, only Dollar General really has a similar reach, and its smaller stores limit what that chain can offer. The discount chain, which has more than 19,000 locations in 48 states, has been expanding its fresh food offerings, but Dollar General does not have the massive stores that Walmart can take advantage of to open new areas of business.
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Walmart has experimented with everything from fast food chains to music lessons in its stores. The chain has also been ramping up its health screening services, putting it in direct competition with CVS and Walgreens, who, at least in some locations, are trying to become a one-stop shop for health care.
The chain wants to leverage its omnichannel capabilities to “produce a flywheel effect that creates relationships in which customers see Walmart as their primary destination,” the company shared in its annual report.
Offering expanded health care services is a key part of that effort. In addition to its pharmacies, Walmart also offers dental, vision, mental health, and other health care services in many of its stores.
The chain has also been expanding its partnership with Radnet to offer women a key healthcare service.
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Walmart wants to expand access to health care
The partnership between Walmart and Radnet will bring mammography technology to more Walmart Health locations in 2024. The two companies first partnered last year on a single location.
“This pioneering initiative aims to improve breast health awareness and accessibility, including the integration of cutting-edge DeepHealth technology, into the Walmart Supercenter environment, providing women with convenient access to crucial breast cancer screening services.” mom,” Radnet said in a press release.
This partnership should, in theory, benefit Walmart and bring crucial healthcare to areas where women may have had difficulty accessing it. That could literally be the difference between life and death.
“When breast cancer is detected early and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%,” according to the American Cancer Society. “Early detection includes performing monthly breast self-examinations and scheduling regular mammograms and clinical breast exams.”
Walmart increases access to healthcare
RadNet and Walmart have partnered to make breast health screening more accessible, encouraging proactive, community-based health care. As part of the pilot, RadNet will actively promote breast health awareness and education initiatives.
It's a partnership that global data chief executive Neil Saunders sees as a positive for Walmart and its customers.
“Anything that improves the availability and access to these types of health tests and exams is a very good thing. As long as the exam area is private and properly equipped, I don't see clients being deterred,” he said in a statement. Retail Cable history.
The seasoned retail executive also explained why Walmart is taking this step, noting that it's not just about increasing access to healthcare.
“On the broader issue of healthcare and wellness, many retailers want to enter this area because of the lucrative returns and high growth potential. The problem is that the barriers to entry are high and the retail space is high. Healthcare has many vested interests and complexity that “can be difficult to dismantle. Even amazon is struggling to disrupt an industry that is ripe for disruption,” she added.
Carol Spieckerman, a distinguished retail consultant, also shared her insight on Walmart's healthcare efforts.
“Walmart's aggressive healthcare ambitions are no secret. The mammogram move aligns perfectly with Walmart's intention for regular visits (whether grocery or health). Walmart health clinics are not unpleasant places “The ones I have visited are clean and well-designed, welcoming and staffed with helpful professionals,” he wrote.
Currently, Radnet performs about 5% of all mammograms performed in the US.
