Walmart Express Photo Tour
By Natalie Berg and Katie Mathis
Planet Retail Ltd | July 2011
Walmart Express Photo Tour
Natalie Berg
Katie Mathis
Global Research Director
US Retail Analyst
natalie.berg@planetretail.net
katie.mathis@planetretail.net
Walmart has opened its first urban small-box store at a site in Chicago. The urban debut
follows the June launch of the Walmart Express format in Gentry, Arkansas and is part of
Walmart’s commitment to open smaller stores in food deserts across the US. In this short
presentation, we take a closer look at the key features of the Express concept.
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All images ©Planet Retail Ltd unless otherwise stated.
Walmart Express Photo Tour
Walmart Express, Chicago floor plan.
Fresh
Beverages
Ambient
Baby
Health & Beauty Care
Pet
Household
Frozen
Chilled
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Walmart Express Photo Tour
Serving the underserved.
 The shift to small-box comes at a time when
the company’s larger Supercenters are
underperforming and nearing saturation.
Planet Retail predicts Walmart has one
decade of growth left with this format.
 Going small enables Walmart to combat the
ever-growing threat of dollar stores and
reach new consumers in urban areas.
 Staying true to its motto of ‘saving people
money so they can live better’, Walmart is
pursuing America’s food deserts in a bid to
bring consumers affordable food, health
care and, increasingly, financial services.
 Walmart plans to open 275-300 stores in
food deserts over the next five years as part
of First Lady Michelle Obama’s effort to
bring fresh foods to impoverished
neighbourhoods.
 Supercenters are still the preferred entry
vehicle but Walmart Express and Market
give the retailer greater flexibility now.
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Walmart Express Photo Tour
Urban versus rural.
 Walmart is using a different fascia for its Chicago Express stores (left) compared to rural locations
which debuted in June with the Gentry, Arkansas outlet (right).
 Testing with and without gas stations/pharmacy/parking lots depending on location.
 Unlikely to roll out in a major way until the concept has been thoroughly tried and tested.
 Urban consumers more likely to utilise site to store over rural consumers, particularly in markets
without a Supercenter presence.
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