On Friday, thousands of Walmart employees gathered to celebrate the annual hometown bash, by the retailer. Walmart associates danced to the pulsating music of celebrities including the Jonas brothers who headlined the event. CEO Doug McMillon spoke of the “resilient” workforce of the big box retailer and said that they were working to improve their performance as they “go through the year.”

Walmart’s annual gathering at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas is a much awaited event. It always has a party-like atmosphere. It also coincides with the shareholders meeting, as per its almost 60-year tradition. Employees from all over the nation and some international ones gather at Bentonville. They wear company apparel, flutter their home country’s flags and more.

In between loud cheers and celebrity acts at the Bud Walton Arena at the campus of the University of Arkansas, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon spoke. He praised the company’s employees who worked through the pandemic. He promised that the company would not repeat its disappointing results that were reported in the first quarter, due to inflation, which brought profits to a low level, below analysts’ estimates.

The CEO said that the company was working to “fix” the results and to “improve” its performance as it went through the year. He described the company’s workforce as “resilient” and said that Walmart loved the “challenge of retail.”

Doug McMillion also attended a Q&A session with analysts. He said that the company had reacted “in a detailed and aggressive way” as it moved towards becoming more cost-efficient.

Walmart is known for its affordable prices for its value conscious customers as well as quality products and a wide range of merchandise in several categories making it a one-stop shop for customers.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon also said, “If the world comes under more pressure and people become more value conscious, we are the place to go.”