Walmart is embarking on a sweeping $1.6 billion remodeling effort that will revamp 650 of its US locations by 2028, the company has confirmed.
The investment is part of Walmart’s “Stores of the Future” initiative, first introduced in 2023 and now entering full-scale rollout across 47 states and Puerto Rico.
Texas and California are set to see the most updates, with 67 and 56 stores targeted respectively.
Each remodel is expected to cost several million dollars and will feature store layout redesigns, upgraded signage, fresh paint, expanded product assortments, and more spacious shopping environments.
The initiative aims to make shopping “more convenient and enjoyable,” the company said.
Speaking during a February earnings call, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon attributed part of the company’s recent growth to improvements in merchandise selection: “The work we’re doing to expand our assortment is another reason for our growth, as more customers are finding what they’re looking for.”
Among the key upgrades:
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New checkout design at the front of stores
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Wider aisles and better use of space for both customers and employees
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Corner displays featuring out-of-box products for improved visibility
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Digital touchpoints to provide product and service information throughout the store
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Relocated pharmacies moved to the front with new private consultation rooms
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Updated vision centers offering a broader range of eyewear and prescription options
The retailer is also bolstering its e-commerce capabilities with expanded pickup and delivery services, driven by increased online demand following the pandemic.
Walmart said the remodels will support fulfillment operations while maintaining a focus on in-store experience.
Additionally, the company is using this opportunity to advance its footprint in other areas. Alongside the remodels, Walmart plans to open or convert 150 new locations in the next five years.
The first two will be located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia.
Fuel retail is also part of Walmart’s broader expansion strategy. The company plans to more than double its number of fuel station convenience stores this year, opening between 40 and 45 new sites.
By the end of 2025, Walmart expects to operate around 460 fuel stations nationwide.
Walmart is simultaneously advancing tech integration through its Sam’s Club division. Self-checkout lanes are being removed from all 600 Sam’s Club stores, replaced with AI-driven “Scan & Go” systems.
Using cameras and computer vision, the technology scans shopping carts at the exit to verify purchases, allowing members to skip traditional checkout lines entirely.
While Walmart touts the system’s efficiency, the tech-based process has raised concerns about accessibility for older shoppers, who may be less comfortable using smartphone-based apps.
The company says the remodeling program will also create “tens of thousands” of jobs over the course of the initiative.
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