Walmart Retail Link

Is there a danger of vendors overstocking Walmart shelves by virtue of using Retail Link and empowering vendors?

Probably. But Walmart's own managers oversee the inventory system and can quickly spot those vendors who would take advantage of their access to Retail Link.

Why can't other large retailers easily duplicate Walmart's Retail Link?

Walmart is able to off load some of the cost of keeping its shelves full to vendors. Vendors monitor the stock of their goods in all Walmart stores and are incentivized to keep goods in stock (avoid stock-outs).

What triggers Walmart's Retail Link system to ship goods to local Walmart Stores?

consumer purchases in local stores by point-of-purchase cash register data

Walmart's Retail Link is

driven by consumer behavior which "pulls" replacement stock from inventory.

Why is a detailed knowledge of consumer purchases at each store important to Walmart's success?

each store is in reality a unique entity with its own patterns of consumption