Wal-Mart Revamps Supercenter Format
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is launching a new design for its supercenters with the focus on convenience. The company unveiled the designs Wednesday at stores in Rogers and Fayetteville, near its headquarters in Bentonville, Ark. The new design features wider aisles, lower shelves, and a more convenient layout.
The new design unveiling comes on the heels of Wal-Mart’s announcement to investors earlier this week that it is pulling back on new stores and emphasizing store remodels.
Elements of the new supercenter design include the placement of some sections of the store in more convenient areas. For example, the pharmacy is next to the food section, instead of its usual spot on the general merchandise side. The redesigned stores will offer more directional signs and lower shelves to improve sight lines for customers, the company said.
Wal-Mart is introducing brighter colors to make shopping areas more inviting and a color scheme to define different merchandise areas. The design changes follow improvements to the company’s product lines, such as the introduction of a Better Homes and Gardens line of home items.
"The new layout of the stores is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities," Wal-Mart regional vp of operations Scott Huff said. "By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase including health and beauty and pet supplies, we are making one-stop shopping even easier."
In other news, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s share price posted its biggest jump in 20 years on Tuesday, surging 11 percent to $55.47, after the company forecast “low-single” digit same-store sales growth.
The new design unveiling comes on the heels of Wal-Mart’s announcement to investors earlier this week that it is pulling back on new stores and emphasizing store remodels.
Elements of the new supercenter design include the placement of some sections of the store in more convenient areas. For example, the pharmacy is next to the food section, instead of its usual spot on the general merchandise side. The redesigned stores will offer more directional signs and lower shelves to improve sight lines for customers, the company said.
Wal-Mart is introducing brighter colors to make shopping areas more inviting and a color scheme to define different merchandise areas. The design changes follow improvements to the company’s product lines, such as the introduction of a Better Homes and Gardens line of home items.
"The new layout of the stores is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities," Wal-Mart regional vp of operations Scott Huff said. "By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase including health and beauty and pet supplies, we are making one-stop shopping even easier."
In other news, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s share price posted its biggest jump in 20 years on Tuesday, surging 11 percent to $55.47, after the company forecast “low-single” digit same-store sales growth.