Walmart is going to make a drastic shift with a massive redesign that will completely disrupt the shopping experience. The company has stated that it will refurbish 650 of its more than 4,600 stores across 47 states in the United States, responding to the need to modernise its spaces, improve its services, and solidify its position as a market leader. This business transition of the huge US retailer entails a shift in the purchasing experience. There will also be significant changes in in-store technology. Continue reading to understand more about the new situation.
Walmart will rebuild 650 of its more than 4,600 stores in the United States: the great retail renovation
According to the corporation, this change will take place over the next 12 months and will primarily focus on improving in-store functionality and ease. It is important to note that the objective is to improve the railing configuration dramatically. Thus, the project encompasses everything from more spacious pharmacies to improved signage and a complete redesign of the spaces dedicated to the collection and distribution of online orders in accordance with changing consumer patterns. Nowadays, the way in which consumers keep their relationship with the acquisition of items, and thus the new change, must be highlighted.
The program aims to provide not only more modern facilities, but also more efficient services. These are some of the most essential new features; we’ve listed the ones that will benefit the consumer the most below.
In the first instance, pharmacies will be much more large and private, with broader aisles and discreet places to offer a more tailored and comfortable service. In addition, more visible signage will be installed, and in-store orientation will be adjusted to help customers discover what they are searching for more quickly. Finally, the online service will be improved, which means that the pick-up and delivery regions for online purchases will be more accessible and efficient, in response to the growth of digital commerce.
A long-term strategy: more shops, better service
This ambitious rehabilitation plan is also part of Walmart’s long-term vision to open at least 150 additional stores by 2029, demonstrating the company’s commitment to retail expansion and innovation. In addition, the growth will boost consumer spending to help the supply chain.
Today, the key objective is to adapt to consumers’ new buying tactics in order to make them more comfortable. Similarly, focus is given to the installation of technologies in retail stores.
Devices are also being introduced to the company
Autonomous cleaning robot
The autonomous ‘Auto-C’ robot is programmed to clean and polish the shop floor using autonomous-assisted technology rather than a scrubbing machine, a task that now takes two hours of an employee’s work every day. This cleaning robot was developed in collaboration with Brain Corp in December 2018, and Walmart stated that it intended to deploy 360 floor cleaning robots by the end of January 2019. It is already expanding that deployment to include 1,500 more cleaning robots this year, increasing the total to approximately 1,860 units.
Autonomous robots with scanners
Auto-S shelf scanners, on the other hand, have been under testing since 2017, when Walmart deployed 50 robots to stores across the United States. It is already producing 300 more of these robots, bringing the total number to 350. Bossa Nova Robotics, a California-based startup, produces these robots, which traverse the aisles scanning prices and inventories. The robots wait at a loading station until an employee assigns them a duty.
A new context for consumers
Walmart is attempting to anticipate market needs in an era when consumers demand greater convenience, speed, and technology in their shopping experiences. As a result of this significant transition, the chain is not only modernising its infrastructure, but also sending a clear message: it is prepared to lead the future of retail.