Since 1998, Walmart customers have looked to the convenience of Neighborhood Markets to get what they need. A smaller size meets a stellar assortment, creating a store that places the community at its very center. And that’s not changing.
In fact, Walmart recently committed to opening or converting more than 150 stores in the next five years – with the Neighborhood Market format set to benefit. Two new stores, one in the Dune Lakes area of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, the other in the Vine City neighborhood of Atlanta, are the first to open under the new initiative.
The stores aren’t just new or remodeled. They’re also bigger. With 57,000 square feet of salesfloor and pickup and delivery space, the Dune Lakes and Vine City stores will have a footprint that’s about 17,000 square feet larger than the average Neighborhood Market. The expanded space will allow us to sharpen our focus on value, speed and convenience.
Let’s take a look at what these changes will mean in stores:
Value
With the larger layout, we can offer a broader assortment across the entire store. Customers will see the biggest gains in our Fresh departments. There will be more to choose from in bakery, produce, meat and dairy. Plus, the expanded service deli will offer more hot case options.
We work hard to maintain price leadership. So, whether customers are looking for last-minute necessities for the beach or a meal for the family, they can be confident they’re getting their items at the Every Day Low Price they can count on at Walmart.
Speed
The updated stores also feature wider aisles to give customers more room to shop and make navigating our stores easier than it already is. Our customers have busy lives, so one of our goals with the new layout is to help them find what they need even more quickly and easily – whether they choose to shop with us in-store or online.
We’ve also allotted more space for pickup and delivery orders in these new stores. The larger space includes dedicated room for refrigerated goods, so associates can keep orders moving at an even faster pace.
Convenience
Neighborhood Markets are often at the center of the communities they serve. Customers count on our stores for the groceries and household essentials they need, as well as financial and pharmacy services.
The two new stores add a Health Services Room to their pharmacies to provide customers with privacy for vaccinations and consultations. The addition of a Mother’s Room will allow nursing moms to shop these new stores while caring for their little ones.
Walmart+ members will have additional conveniences at their fingertips with free delivery from the store, free shipping from Walmart.com, discounts on fuel, video streaming with Paramount+ and more. And, with Walmart+ Assist, customers who receive qualifying government assistance can get all the benefits of Walmart+ at half the price.
Going forward
As we remodel, convert and build new stores, we are being thoughtful about how to make our Neighborhood Markets right-sized for each community. We continually evaluate all our stores to make sure they have the right assortment and services to match our customers’ expectations.
The Neighborhood Market of the past, present and future continues to be well-positioned to support our customers, no matter their needs or how they choose to shop.
