Walmart has been redesigning its stores. Now, the renovations are about to kick into high gear.
Since last year, the retailer has updated nearly 1,000 locations to help shoppers navigate stores and find what they need more quickly, but that was just the first phase of Walmart’s store redesign.
Alvis Washington — Walmart’s vice president of marketing for store design, innovation and experience — explains in a recent article on the retailer’s corporate website:
“In this next phase of our redesign, we’re amplifying the physical, human and digital design elements in our stores to inspire customers and elevate the experience.”
As this overhaul continues, Washington says shoppers can expect to see four design elements in addition to improved navigation at Walmart stores.
Activated corners
Walmart will unveil displays at the corners of some specific departments. The goal is to entice shoppers by encouraging them to “touch, feel and become a part of the space.”
For example, the Home department may feature a set-up of a living room or bedroom. Walmart says you will be able to “squeeze a throw pillow or feel the coziness of a blanket.”
Elevated brand shops
Walmart says this concept takes the “‘store within a store experience’ to the next level.”
For example, apparel departments will put owned and national brands into the spotlight, such as by devoting a designated section to a particular brand, like Reebok.
Another example can be found in the Baby department, with elevated displays of items needed to create a dream nursery.
More space to discover
Walmart says it is creating additional room for customers to roam in its redesigned stores. The goal is to give them a reason to “explore and discover the breadth and depth of what our stores have to offer.”
Digital touchpoints
This concept uses Walmart’s brick-and-mortar stores as a place to highlight the vast variety of products and services that the retailer offers online. Examples of digital touchpoints include QR codes and digital screens. According to Washington:
“For example, in our Pets area, a customer 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.”
For more Walmart shopping tips, check out:
FAQs
By the end of Fiscal Year 2026, Walmart believes roughly 65% of stores will be serviced by automation, approximately 55% of the fulfillment center volume will move through automated facilities, and unit cost averages could improve by approximately 20%.
How is Walmart changing their stores? ›
By the end of Fiscal Year 2026, Walmart believes roughly 65% of stores will be serviced by automation, approximately 55% of the fulfillment center volume will move through automated facilities, and unit cost averages could improve by approximately 20%.
What major changes are happening at Walmart? ›
Walmart Is Making These Major Changes in 2023
- Walmart is expanding its beauty department.
- There will be fewer single-use bags.
- We may see additional "stores of the future."
- Walmart made changes in late 2022 as well.
Walmart is revamping its stores as part of a new strategy to enhance the shopping experience for customers and to compete with rivals, like Target Inc.
Is Walmart rebranding 2022? ›
We don't want to try to be upscale, that's not what we're trying to do . . . [we want] to offer an elevated experience the Walmart way.” The company plans to start rolling out the redesign in 2022. However, it only updates between 800 and 1,000 (or about 20% of its stores) each year.
How technology has changed Walmart? ›
Walmart has continued to leverage technology, such as machine learning, cloud powered checkout and pickup capabilities to offer more convenience and enhance the overall shopping experience for customers. To learn more about Walmart's recent innovations, visit corporate.walmart.com.
How is Walmart doing 2023? ›
Walmart expects to continue drawing in more shoppers, even as economic headwinds like inflation and the resumption of student loan payments squeeze household budgets. Walmart reported a rise in revenue of nearly 6 percent in the second quarter; it expects sales for the full year to grow between 4 and 4.5 percent.
What is Walmart's biggest issue? ›
Allegations of predatory pricing and supplier issues
Walmart has been accused of selling merchandise at such low costs that competitors have tried to sue it for predatory pricing (intentionally selling a product at low cost in order to drive competitors out of the market).
What is a Walmart store of the future? ›
Sleeker store displays, digital price labeling and a revamped self-checkout area are among the elements of Walmart's “store of the future” design, which was unveiled today at its first Sioux Falls store.
What is Walmart changing at checkout? ›
CNBC reported on Aug. 1 that those shopping at Walmart “will soon see more third-party ads on screens in Walmart self-checkout lanes and TV aisles; hear spots over the store's radio; and be able to sample items at demo stations.”
4 Ways Walmart Stores Are Changing in 2022
- Activated corners. Walmart will unveil displays at the corners of some specific departments. ...
- Elevated brand shops. Walmart says this concept takes the “'store within a store experience' to the next level.” ...
- More space to discover. ...
- Digital touchpoints.
The cuts include staffers in last-mile delivery and merchandising, said people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because the matter is private. Walmart will also add an unspecified number of jobs in areas such as e-commerce, health and wellness, ad sales and supply chain, said one of the people.
How is Walmart doing in 2022? ›
Walmart Statistics in 2022
In 2022, Walmart's brand value amounts to $111.9 billion. Walmart's current revenue worldwide is $573 billion. In 2021, the company generated global net sales of over $555 billion, showing an increase of 6.8% from the previous year.
Why are Walmart's being remodeled? ›
Walmart wants to keep attracting higher-income shoppers — even when inflation wanes — with sleek remodeled stores that spotlight and display nongrocery merchandise such as apparel and home goods.
Is Walmart changing their colors? ›
The new vests will be made from recycled bottles and have bigger pockets than previous vests. The vests are “neutral steel gray,” and most associates will wear bright blue trim. Associates at Walmart's smaller Neighborhood Market stores will wear green trim.
What are the three types of Walmart? ›
Learn more about our locations:
- Walmart Supercenter. Walmart began building Supercenters in 1988 and are around 182,000 square feet employing about 300 associates. ...
- Walmart Discount Store. ...
- Walmart Neighborhood Market.
The recent closures follow a trend of Walmart closing a handful of stores across various states each year, with the company saying that the stores are "underperforming" or falling short of financial expectations.
What are the current problem Walmart is facing? ›
Supply chain and inflation issues led the retailer to have way more supplies on hand than consumers were buying – leading to unwalkable backrooms packed with full pallets. Walmart has said since May that it would make a concerted effort to get through excess inventory, and, to its credit, it has kept its word.
Why are they changing Walmart? ›
IT'S a new year and a new Walmart as the large retailer has announced it is set to implement six changes, altering the way customers shop. Some of the adjustments started last year as Walmart eliminated paper or plastic bags and added anti-theft tactics due to an uptick in crime.
Is Walmart getting another raise in 2023? ›
A worker stocks the shelves at a Walmart store on January 24, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Walmart announced that it is raising its minimum wage for store employees in early March, store employees will make between $14 and $19 an hour.
