Walmart is planning to expand their retail presence by adding more large stores and installing electric vehicle charging stations. This expansion will involve opening new stores as well as upgrading existing locations.
According to CNBC, the company plans to either construct new or renovate over 150 "big-box" stores in the United States within the next five years. The Associated Press reported that Walmart has not opened any new stores in the last three years.
Walmart has released press images of its Supercenter design for its upcoming "large-format" stores. The company has not disclosed the cities where these stores will be located yet.
Walmart announced that they will be implementing their "Store of the Future" concept in certain locations, which will feature more displays and QR codes for customers to scan for extra product details. The company had already started remodeling 650 locations to include this concept before making the announcement on Wednesday.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Walmart's president and CEO, John Furner, highlighted the significant investment the company has made in labor, supplies, and tax revenue in various communities. These investments have brought benefits to the communities in which Walmart operates.
CNBC reported that the company chose not to disclose the expenses associated with the stores.
Walmart has stated that their new stores will prioritize sustainability in their design. These locations will feature energy-efficient lighting and equipment.
Aside from making changes to make the store more sustainable, Walmart is also planning to improve its parking lot. They have announced intentions to install fast-charging stations for electric cars.
Walmart is planning to create a nationwide network of affordable electric vehicle fast-charging stations to make it easier and more convenient for customers and employees to own an EV. This initiative aims to make electric vehicle ownership more accessible and convenient for those who shop at Walmart.
According to CNBC, Walmart has over 4,600 stores in the United States and has a workforce of nearly 1.6 million employees.
Check out the initial images of what the future Walmart store may look like. The photos are credited to Rob Carroll.
Check out this gallery featuring 50 retail chains that were once popular but have since disappeared. The credit for the gallery goes to Madison Troyer.
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