Walmart Is Opening Some Teeny-Tiny Stores for Campers

Walmart is known for its big box stores. But the retail giant’s latest partnership is the opposite of that model.

The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail giant on Thursday said it teamed up with Getaway, a hospitality company, to open tiny retail stores at its out-of-the-way vacation spots.

The General Store by Walmart is described as a “mini-retail experience” that will sell outdoor-focused products like s’mores fixings, cast iron skillets, hiking gear, lip balm and disposable cameras, as well as goods made by local small businesses.

Walmart’s first general store is slated to open next month at a Getaway location in Wimberley, Texas, with more tiny stores planned to open throughout the year in Moodus, Conn.; Running Springs, Calif.; Roscoe, NY; and Osceola, Mo.

Getaway builds collections of super-small cabin two hours from major cities, which it calls Outposts. The cabins have kitchens and running water, but no WiFi or cell service, to help campers … get away from the modern world.

The company currently has 19 Outposts with a total of more than 784 cabins.

“Walmart’s partnership with Getaway furthers our mission to help people live better no matter where they are,” Walmart VP of Brand Marketing Casey Schlaybaugh said in a statement. “We are going beyond just saving people money by enabling guests to maximize Getaway’s experience and empowering them to spend more quality time with those who matter most.”

The General Store by Walmart / Photo courtesy Walmart

The General Stores will be located in small, wooden, slope-roofed cabins on wheels. Walmart’s name and starburst logo is in yellow, in smaller print, under signage saying The General Store. The store’s tote bags say, “Quality Goods, Great Outdoors,” with Walmart in a smaller font. Inside are rustic wooden shelves displaying a very small, heavily curated selection of goods.

Items sold at The General Store will also be sold on Walmart.com via a special Getaway shopping page. And those who visit Outpost over the next year will receive a free trial of the retailer’s membership program, Walmart .

“At Getaway, our mission is to help people disconnect and spend time in nature,” Carlos Becil, chief experience officer at Getaway, said in a statement. “In partnering with Walmart, we are able to amplify our efforts to a larger audience and provide our guests with more free time, helping them prepare for their stays and enjoy the comforts of nature once they arrive.”