Beyond Groceries: AP Reporter Dives into Walmart's Sweet Success in Cake Decorating

AP Reporter Uncovers Sweet Secrets of Walmart's Cake Decorating Business New Jersey – Anne D'Innocenzio, a reporter for The Associated Press, recently traded her notepad for a piping bag, spending a day as a trainee cake decorator at a Walmart store in New Jersey. Her immersive experience shed light on a surprisingly lucrative and specialized aspect of the retail giant's operations. Under the guidance of experienced Walmart cake decorator Melissa Fernandez, D'Innocenzio learned the intricate art of cake assembly and frosting. The reporter, while admitting her own struggles with the delicate process, gained a new appreciation for the skill involved. "I don't know what I'm doing," D'Innocenzio quipped during her training, though Fernandez reassuringly noted, "To be honest, I've seen worse." The video highlighted key insights into Walmart's cake business. The company reportedly employs approximately 6,200 cake decorators across the country. During peak times like graduation season, the number of cakes decorated at the New Jersey store nearly doubles, underscoring the significant demand. Furthermore, the cake decorating department boasts higher profit margins compared to other traditional retail sectors within the store, such as groceries and electronics. Walmart's cake decorators are also reportedly among the highest-paid non-managerial hourly workers in a typical Walmart store, reflecting the specialized skills required for the role. The company is even tapping into popular TikTok trends, with decorators creating "vintage cakes" to cater to evolving consumer tastes. D'Innocenzio concluded her day with a humorous reflection, stating she would "keep my journalism job," but expressed newfound respect for the artistry and business acumen behind Walmart's sweet success.

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How a Walmart decorator went from local talent in New Jersey to national sensat…

I love a story of a local New Jersey girl who goes viral.