Walmart Canada invests nearly $1B to modernize stores, up customer experience
Walmart Canada is updating its stores and will unveil a new "store of the future" as part of its multi-year modernization plan.
The company is investing nearly $1 billion this fiscal year as part of its $3.5 billion investment — announced in 2020 — to transform its store infrastructure and customer experience. Along with expanding Walmart Canada’s fulfillment network across the country to enhance the e-commerce experience for customers, the investment helps stores to meet the diverse needs of customers across various demographics.
Store of the Future
Walmart Canada’s future flagship location, the Square One Walmart Supercentre in Mississauga, Ont., is the retailer’s largest store by square foot and one of its largest capital investments in a single store. With improvements already underway, the location will act as a prototype for omnichannel retail innovation, the company said.
The transformation will begin with a reimagined electronics department where traditional product cases will be replaced by open displays allowing for hands-on interactions. In addition, customers will be able to see product availability in real-time, scan a QR code to place their order and experience immediate on-site delivery by an associate, facilitated by automation.
The location will feature Walmart Canada’s first Health Hub, which will centralize pharmacy, vision centre and medical clinic into one area, providing a one-stop shop for health and wellness needs. It will be supported by the company’s new pharmacy app.
•An expanded omnichannel operations area with dedicated space for employees to pick, pack and stage customer orders — creating more availability for pickup and delivery slots for customers.
Store Renovations
Walmart Canada will upgrade and modernize 55 stores across the country this year to improve customer experience, including 20 extensive refurbishments. The significant updates to the 20 stores across the country this year will include changes such as:
•The introduction of a bold, modern look and feel, including clearer navigation, new aisle markers and enhanced customer-facing signage.
•A focus on sustainability, including transitioning to CO2, a more environmentally-preferable refrigerant.
•Updated fresh departments, providing customers with a larger produce area, expanded assortment and overall improved shopping experience.
•Enhanced support for omnichannel experience, including more dedicated space to pack and prepare customer orders and improved technology.
Fulfillment
This year’s investments support new e-commerce-ready facilities, including the Rocky View County Fulfillment Centre, which opened June 2023 in Alberta. The facility is capable of shipping 20 million items annually direct to customers.
Additional initiatives to improve the online shopping experience for customers include “Delivery Pass,” which offers unlimited free next-day delivery through a subscription program, and a refreshed Walmart Canada App and website to better serve customers as they shop on the go.
Walmart Canada has an ambition to be the most trusted retailer for Canadians,” said Gonzalo Gebara, president and CEO, Walmart Canada. “This is what we’ve worked towards for the last 30 years and it’s why we continue to invest, including nearly $1 billion this year, to build an even more efficient, consistent and reliable omnichannel experience for Canadians.”
Walmart Canada has more than 400 stores nationwide.