Walmart is remodeling 200 of their supercenters by the end of 2020 to provide a digitally-enabled in-store experience for consumers. The redesign will feature bolder signage to encourage app usage, contactless checkout options and airport-inspired crowd management techniques.
“We’ve tried to think through how we help customers discover and get inspiration online and reflect that in terms of a completely new store look and feel,” said Janey Whiteside, Walmart Chief Customer Officer, in a recent interview with Business Insider.
The remodeling project doesn’t stop at 2020 either, the retail giant plans to expand these concepts to over 1,000 stores by the end of 2021. Walmart is investing a substantial amount into their brick-and-mortar spaces, in order to create an integrated and seamless experience throughout.
The goal of the redesign is to create a balanced mobile-based shopping journey, while catering to customers who want something fun and different. Not only that, but it also serves as a solution to resolve some of the frictions between physical and digital. By incorporating the two into one experience, this caters to consumer’s evolving needs and gives them the power in their hands.
Although Walmart’s store enhancements will be created to complement their app, it’s not the only way consumers will be able to shop in their stores. It’s important to not only meet advancements in technology, but also cater to those who don’t want to shop on their phones. The new shopping experience will be simple and intuitive to non-app users as well.
“It’s really important that we don’t alienate people who aren’t used to shopping on their phone. We’re not going to reorient stores so that if you don’t use a phone, you can’t find anything,” Whiteside said.
Walmart is crafting something that is certainly a step in the right direction towards advancements in omnichannel capabilities. By creating a smarter, more unique shopping experience they are putting themselves ahead of some of their competitors in the industry.
“What we hear a lot is the customers are looking for us for inspiration, whether that’s in store, online, or via our mobile app. We’ve tried to think through how we help customers discover and get inspiration online and reflect that in terms of a completely new store look and feel,” Whiteside said.
Source: Walmart Redesigning Stores – Business Insider
Photo Credit: Walmart Redesigning Stores – Business Insider
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About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 265 million customers and members visit approximately 11,500 stores under 56 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2020 revenue of $524 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmart.
