Walmart faces rising costs and technical challenges automating approximately 200 distribution facilities. Robot breakdowns, packaging issues and oversized products have hindered progress. Monthly electricity bills at automated grocery warehouses can exceed USD800,000, against USD250,000 previously. In-store fulfilment automation also remains problematic, with a viable system potentially unavailable until 2028. Spending is expected to peak in 2026 and 2027. (Quartz)