Walmart testing rapid remodel process in some Neighborhood Market stores

Walmart said it is deploying a new rapid remodel process beginning next month across select Neighborhood Market stores in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. The retailer did not provide the number of stores involved in the test round of rapid remodels.

The new rapid remodel process will be completed in four weeks and is designed for quicker, less disruptive results than typical remodels that can stretch over several months.

“This is an opportunity to test, learn, and refine our remodel process to identify best practices for the future,” Walmart noted in the release.

Walmart also said the pharmacies and fueling stations in stores being remodeled will remain open during the process, while the stores will close temporarily. The stores selected for rapid remodels were chosen in part because of their proximity to other nearby Walmart stores, providing alternatives for in-store and pickup orders. Delivery options will also be available.

Walmart said store employees will work with remodel workers to install new fixtures, organize products and prepare the store to reopen.

“We know that shopping around closed construction areas or searching for relocated items can be frustrating for our customers,” the retailer noted. “While we try to minimize that friction with every remodel, these four-week temporary closures aim at going one step further. We want to alleviate as much customer disruption as possible and deliver a better store experience, faster.”

Walmart said remodeled stores will have changes that vary by location, with most remodeled stories including expanded aisles and new layouts that create more space and make it easier to navigate. Walmart said remodeled stores will digital price signage that highlights price rollbacks and featured products. Checkout areas will also be upgraded to reduce wait times.

Some of the remodels will get enhancements to online grocery pickup and delivery areas to support the growing demand for digital order and pharmacies will receive updates.

Walmart operates 691 Neighborhood Market stores which contribute to the retailer’s high-volume, quick-trip grocery sales model. That along with grocery sales from 3,359 supercenter formats comprise around 60% of the total sales revenue for Walmart U.S. In its recent fourth-quarter results, grocery sales for Walmart U.S. were an estimated $77.5 billion. Health and wellness sales, including pharmacy, totaled an estimated $17.4 billion in revenue during the quarter, according to analyst at Jefferies.