For those asking why Walmart would want to help its rivals succeed, Bhardwaj said these smaller businesses will be served regardless.
"Digitization is happening everywhere as the consumer is evolving," said Bhardwaj. "There's no choice but to evolve with them."
Walmart's size and scale and its proximity to 90% of the U.S. population within 10 miles of one of its stores gives it a substantial advantage. Further, Bhardwaj said, "we really want to serve our communities, our shareholders, our stakeholders and the community better."
She noted that about 1½ years ago, McMillon changed the language in a slide he uses in presentations from "serve our shareholders" to "serve our stakeholders." Bhardwaj said it was a meeting with McMillon that spurred her idea to sell the technology Walmart has built to other retailers.