First Look: Walmart invests $500 million in 117-store upgrade
Walmart continues to invest in the modernization of its store fleet.
On Friday, Nov. 3, the retail giant will celebrate the reopening of 117 remodeled stores, representing more than a half a billion dollars in capital investments across 30 states. It’s the largest single-day rollout of reopenings in Walmart’s history and is part of more than 700 store modernizations planned for 2023.
The retailer said it has invested over $9 billion in the past two years to upgrade and modernize more than 1,400 of its stores across the country
"With nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population living within 10 miles of a Walmart, we understand how important our local stores are to customers and communities, and these construction investments allow us to create more local jobs and make it easier for our associates to get customers what they want, when they want it," said John Furner, CEO of Walmart U.S.
Upgraded features in the remodeled Super Centers and Neighborhood Market stores include improved layouts, expanded product selections and innovative technology that allows Walmart employees to better support customers and make shopping more convenient and enjoyable.
Customers shopping in Walmart’s enhanced stores can expect to see the following:
•Refreshed interior and exterior: New paint, updated flooring throughout the store, modernized restrooms, and new fixtures and LED lighting for better and brighter line of sight throughout the store.
•New signage allowing for easier navigation while shopping in store and using the Walmart App.
•More shopping carts in each store for customer convenience.
•Front end transformation: Increased check-out options, including staffed lanes and self-checkout areas
•Larger online grocery pickup and deliver areas to accommodate growing demand and to serve more customers shopping with us online
•Grab & Go: New grab and go sections are being added to grocery areas for quick meal and drink options.
•Activated corners: Exciting displays are featured at the corners of certain departments to pull customers in and help them touch, feel and become a part of the space.
•Elevated departments: Transformed stores feature displays showcasing products out of their boxes so that customers can visualize fitting them into their daily lives.
•New dollar shop at store entrances with seasonally relevant products.
•More space to discover: Walmart has purposefully created more space for customers to explore and discover what their local store has to offer.
•Digital touchpoints: Touchpoints located throughout the store help communicate the range of products and services offered online through QR codes and digital screens. For example, in Walmart’s Pets area, customers may scan the QR code to find additional dog bed options, learn about Walmart’s pet insurance service options or have a 20-pound bag of kibble delivered to their door.
•Expanded pharmacies: For easier customer access, many pharmacies have been moved to the front of the store and have been expanded to allow for new private screening rooms for pharmacist consultations and services.
•Updated customer service aea for additional room, ease and comfort.
•Mother’s room with comfortable, clean and private area for nursing mothers.
•Vision Center: Walmart’s Vision Center experience is designed around the customer that offers an assort of quality eyeglasses and sunglasses with prescription lenses.
Walmart said it plans to continue modernizing its stores across the country in 2024.