Walmart to test ‘rapid remodel’ process for faster results
Walmart is rethinking how it remodels its stores.
The retail giant said it will test a new “rapid remodel” process that results in quicker results and less customer disruption. The process will be be tested in April, in several Walmart Neighborhood Markets across Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina and Louisiana.
Instead of stretching a remodel over several months, the new process condenses the work by temporarily closing the main sales floor for four weeks and keeping the store’s pharmacies and fuel stations open. As part of the remodel process, store employees will work alongside Walmart’s remodel teams, setting up new fixtures, organizing products and preparing the store to welcome customers back, the company said.
The remodeled stores will offer a brighter and more inviting space that is designed around how today's customers shop, Walmart said in a post on its website. Updates will vary by location to meet the specific needs of the community, but many stores will feature expanded aisles and reconfigured layouts that create more space and make it easier to navigate.
In addition, online grocery pickup and delivery areas will be enhanced to support growing demand for digital orders. Pharmacies will receive updates to better serve customers’ healthcare needs.
Customers can also expect to see improvements in technology throughout the store, including clear digital price signage that highlights price “rollbacks” and featured items. Checkout areas will be upgraded to reduce wait times, and store associates will be equipped with new tools to help them more quickly locate products and assist shoppers.
“Together, these updates are designed to make shopping faster, simpler, and more comfortable from start to finish,” Walmart stated. “By rethinking how we remodel our stores, we are creating a faster path to a better experience."
Walmart said the stores selected to participate in the rapid remodel test were chosen in part because of their proximity to other Walmart locations that offer additional shopping, pickup and delivery options.