The projects include remodeling of the deli areas, pharmacy, an expanded bakery, and moving the pick-up area to the front of the store. Hatfield said the stores will have signage changes inside the store as part of the remodeling.
“It’s all about the customer experience. A lot of the signage in our stores are too high for our customers to find everything they need. With the remodelings, we will improve our customer service and navigation,” Hatfield said.
Walmart has been expanding its service that allows customers to order groceries online and then pick them up at the store.
The nation’s largest food retailer said it was adding eight new U.S. markets in March to its free curbside grocery pickup service.
The move comes as Walmart Stores Inc. aims to further capitalize on its power to combine its brick-and-mortar stores with online shopping. That focus is different from other rivals like Amazon.com and Instacart, which are delivering groceries directly to shoppers’ homes.
Walmart says more than 30,000 fresh groceries, baby products and household items can be ordered online and picked up at the participating stores.
It works this way: Shoppers order groceries online and can get same-day pick up if ordered by 10 a.m. Walmart workers load the customer’s car.
Walmart says 90 percent of its curbside customers are repeat users and more than 90 percent of its baskets include fresh grocery items like dairy and produce.
Walmart is spending around $700,000 in each store as part of the remodeling, according to records. Hatfield said the stores will remain open during the remodeling.
Construction will begin at the Miami Twp. store located at 8800 Kingsridge Drive. Hatfield said she expects the remodeling to be completed by year end.
Walmart is the largest employer in Ohio, employing more than 47,000 employees in 174 stores. The company has more than 10,000 employees in Southwest Ohio.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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