Opening Today, Wal-Mart Tests Convenience Store Prototype

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Opening Today, Wal-Mart Tests Convenience Store Prototype

by Marty Cook on Monday, Mar. 17, 2014 12:00 am

Wal-Mart plans to open its “Walmart To Go” store on March 19; the retailer calls the store a “convenience store test concept.” (Photo by Kat Wilson)

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. hopes to put the convenience back in convenience stores.

The Bentonville retail giant is having a grand opening of its “Walmart To Go” store on Wednesday. The store is at 1300 S. Walton Blvd., less than a mile from the corporate headquarters.

“One of the unique aspects of the store is all the items are priced at Wal-Mart everyday low prices,” said Deisha Barnett, the senior director of corporate communications. “We’re really excited about it.”

The store is approximately 2,500 SF, a small fraction of the size of the company’s small-format Neighborhood Market grocery stores. The store will sell gasoline (branded as Walmart, not Murphy USA) as well as items usually associated with convenience stores.

“We’re about bringing value to shoppers whenever and wherever they want to shop,” Barnett said. “It’s a quick stop — gas, a couple of items. It’s about where they want to shop, when they want to shop.”

The retailer is testing a grocery delivery service with a similar name, WalmartToGo.com, but Barnett said the Walmart To Go convenience store is a one-off project.

“It’s a convenience store test concept,” Barnett said. “We’re not planning any more across the country.”