In what the retail giant is billing as a “Second Best Day,” Walmart will hold re-grand openings for 117 stores across the country on Nov. 3.
The largest single-day rollout of reopenings in company history, the projects represent more than half a billion dollars in capital investments across 30 states.
Employees and customers will be welcomed into the improved supercenters and neighborhood markets with ceremonies, ribbon cuttings and family-friendly activities.
“We’re investing more than $9 billion over a two-year period to upgrade and modernize more than 1,400 of our stores across the U.S.,” said John Furner, Walmart CEO.
“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.”
Each store’s reopening is part of Walmart’s “Signature Experience,” which seeks to inspire customers and provide them with a high-quality shopping experience. Upgraded features include improved layouts, expanded product selections and innovative technology for employees.
Customers shopping the remodeled Walmart stores will find:
- New paint, updated flooring, modernized restrooms, new fixtures and LED lighting
- Signage that provides easier navigation
- More shopping carts for customer convenience
- Increased check-out options, including staffed lanes and self-checkout areas
- Larger online grocery pickup and delivery areas
- New grab-and-go sections for quick meal and drink options
- Activated corners to pull customers into certain departments
- Elevated departments with displays showcasing products out of their boxes
- New touchpoints that help communicate the range of products and services offered online through QR codes and digital screens.
- Many pharmacies have been moved to the front of the store and have been expanded to allow for private screening rooms.
- Updated customer service area
- Mother’s room for nursing mothers
- Dollar shop with seasonally relevant products at store entrances
The Shelby Report was on hand Nov. 18 last year when the Walmart store in Gainesville, Georgia, held its reopening celebration following its remodel, showcasing the new layout and features. Walmart plans to continue modernizing its stores across the country in 2024.
Read more news regarding grocery store layouts from The Shelby Report.
