Walmart to Debut Store of the Future at 117 Locations

On Nov. 3, Walmart will celebrate the reopening of 117 remodeled stores on what it’s calling the “Second Best Day” — the largest single-day rollout of "re-grand openings" in the company history, according to a media release. (View a video tour at the bottom.)

Walmart’s re-grand opening projects represent more than half a billion dollars in capital investments in local communities across 30 states.

“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.,” John Furner, CEO of Walmart U.S., said in the release. "With nearly 90% 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.”

In addition, Walmart plans to continue modernizing its stores across the U.S. in 2024.

Upgraded store features comprise improved and more modern layouts, expanded product selections and innovative technology that helps Walmart associates better support customers. More specifically, the enhanced stores include:

• A refreshed interior and exterior, including new paint, updated flooring throughout the store, modernized restrooms, and new fixtures and LED lighting to provide brighter visibility throughout the store.
• New signage to provide easier navigation while shopping and using the Walmart mobile app.
• More shopping carts.
• A front-end transformation offering more check-out options, including staffed lanes and self-checkout areas.
• Larger online grocery pickup and delivery areas to accommodate growing demand and to serve the increased number of e-commerce shoppers.
• A new Grab & Go section in the grocery areas for quick meal and drink options.
• Activated corners featuring “exciting”displays positioned in the corners of certain departments to pull customers in and offer a hands-on product engagement experience.
• More displays/elevated departments that showcase products out of their boxes.
• More space to promote discovery.
• New digital touchpoints (e.g., QR codes and digital screens) located throughout the store that communicate the range of products and services offered online screens. For example, in Walmart’s pet department, shoppers can scan QR codes 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.
• Relocated and expanded pharmacies. Many of the pharmacies have been moved to the front of the store and have been expanded to allow for new private screening rooms offering pharmacist consultations and services.
• Updated customer service area with additional room and comfort.
• A private room area for nursing mothers.
• A new “Dollar Shop” located at store entrances, merchandising seasonally relevant products.