What: Walmart is testing its new store concept prior to rolling it over its home territory.

Why it is important: They are making the most of the learnings made during the pandemic ( in terms of social distance and feeling of comfort) and taken a new approach to merchandising and store organization. This might bring a new approach in physical grocery stores that could expand over the US.

Walmart released the first of its 50 remodels it is planning in Texas, in the Dallas Fort Worth area where it owns ¼ of the grocery market share and 35% when including Sam’s Club.

The new concept is all about improving navigation and ease of usage:

• Simpler titles and numbering to have alleys better identified,
• Wider aisles, with improved brand signage,
• Shopping carts with phone and drink holders,
• Grab-and-go section with individual snacks at the entrance of the grocery section,
• Dollar shop section at the entrance of the general merchandise entrance,
• Electronic section reorganized along long display tables, including proximity stocks to avoid having customers waiting for the products to come,
• News services such as free barbecue assembly at home,
• More checkout personnel and self-checkout lanes, including a Walmart-plus dedicated one aiming to convey the advantages of being a member of the loyalty program.

Walmart releases its new concept in Texas