How would you increase the basket size on Walmart's eCommerce site?

Certainly, I'll address the question of increasing basket size on Walmart's eCommerce site from the perspective of a seasoned VP of Product. I'll structure my response according to the guidelines you've provided.

Introduction

The challenge at hand is to increase the basket size on Walmart's eCommerce site. This is a critical growth objective that involves encouraging customers to add more items or higher-value products to their online shopping carts. To address this, we'll need to consider various aspects of the customer journey, product presentation, and overall user experience on the platform.

Here's how I'll approach this problem:

1. Ask clarifying questions
2. Diagnose the current situation
3. Analyze competitors and market trends
4. Identify key user segments
5. Propose growth levers and hypotheses
6. Develop retention and engagement strategies
7. Define metrics for success

Let's begin with some clarifying questions to ensure we're aligned on the problem and context.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on the growth challenge described, I assume we're focusing specifically on Walmart's existing eCommerce platform. Is that correct?

Why it matters: This helps us understand if we're working within the constraints of an existing system or if we have flexibility for major changes. Expected answer: Yes, we're focusing on the existing platform. Impact on approach: We'll need to consider solutions that can be integrated into the current system.

• Are there any specific growth targets for basket size increase that Walmart has set?

Why it matters: This will help us set benchmarks and measure the success of our strategies. Expected answer: Walmart aims to increase average basket size by 20% over the next 12 months. Impact on approach: We'll need to prioritize high-impact strategies that can deliver significant results in a relatively short timeframe.

• Can you share any insights on current user behavior patterns or pain points in the checkout process?

Why it matters: Understanding existing user behavior will help us identify areas for improvement and potential quick wins. Expected answer: Data shows that users often abandon carts when shipping costs are revealed, and many don't explore product recommendations. Impact on approach: We'll focus on strategies to address cart abandonment and improve product discovery and recommendations.

• Are there any constraints or ongoing initiatives that might impact our ability to implement new features or changes to the platform?

Why it matters: This helps us understand the scope of what we can propose and any limitations we need to work within. Expected answer: Walmart is currently updating its payment processing system, which may limit changes to the checkout flow for the next quarter. Impact on approach: We'll need to prioritize strategies that don't heavily rely on changes to the checkout process in the short term.

Now that we have some context, let's move on to diagnosing the current growth problem.