The author argues that Walmart is not focusing on customers.
My thoughts on it:
I think that Walmart does know some people’s purchases--and thereby its customers--via its loyalty card program. Now in terms of how this relates to Amazon, could any purchases made in store at Walmart with a loyalty card show up online in one’s account? Sure, that makes sense. You buy bananas in the store and you go the Walmart website and bananas are shown as recently purchased. Possible: yes. Helpful: not sure about that.
What is Amazon's version of Walmart's loyalty program? It's called a required email. Ha ha. Amazon FORCES you to join a loyalty program when you make any purchase even if it's just one. The nice thing about Walmart physical store is you can remain anonymous at checkout--especially if you pay cash.
Notably, maybe 70%(?) of customers are not in a Walmart loyalty program. What does this author want, to ask 70% of customers at a physical Walmart store to give their email or login when checking out? Imagine you go to checkout and Walmart makes you enter a loyalty program or use a customer ID. Amazon can get away with that online--Walmart may have a tougher time doing that in a physical store. It may seem a bit intrusive.
Being able to walk thru this world without having to give up your name and first child is becoming harder because of Amazon, all the re-marketing, and data mining. Dare we owe Walmart a thank you for not making us just a number?