Walmart plans to build or convert more than 150 large-format stores over the next five years, it announced on Wednesday. Some of the locations will be expanded from a smaller location into a Supercenter with a full range of groceries and merchandise, but the majority will be new stores, Josh Havens, a company spokesman, said. Walmart already has more than 4,600 stores across the country, and nearly 600 Sam’s Club warehouses. Sam’s Club also is in expansion mode, with plans to open more than 30 new stores in the U.S. Walmart is signaling that it sees its brick-and-mortar locations as key to its future, despite heightened competition from online players.
Total Retail’s Take: Recognized as a leading value/discount retailer, Walmart has fared quite well during these times of economic uncertainty for so many American consumers. As shoppers cut back on discretionary spending, Walmart has able to increase its market share in staple categories such as grocery. And that growth has largely occurred inside its stores, with consumers shopping at Walmart’s supercenter locations more frequently and spending more per trip. Given this trend, Walmart is leaning even further into its already massive brick-and-mortar business — about 90 percent of the U.S. population already lives with 10 miles of a Walmart store — to spur future growth. The retailer’s omnichannel offerings coupled with its vast product selection and numerous store locations position it well to compete against online pure-plays.
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