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New and existing Walmart stores will adopt elements of the retailer’s recently introduced “fresh and friendly” prototype for its Neighborhood Market concept.
"We've created a more modern look and feel. We've changed the colors. We're highlighting our services," Julie Murphy, EVP of Neighborhood Markets, said during a media tour of the new store Thursday. "You'll see Pick-up, you'll see pharmacy, and you'll see fresh food."
A vestibule entrance featuring seasonal produce is one new element. Produce can also be found in the store where a "fresh angle" layout features fruits and vegetables arranged on low-slung tables that are positioned at an angle.
Related story: Fresh start in Neighborhood Market revamp
The fresh angle layout provides greater visibility to fresh prepared food sections like those featuring rotisserie chicken and pizza.
Low-priced pale ale is featured in center store.
Signs in the perimeter, like this one communicating a 100% money back guarantee, are presented in a hand-drawn style.
Take-out conveniences like drinks-to-go are featured near the checkout.
Tom Ward, VP of operations, presents a suite of applications that will be deployed on employee handheld devices and designed to provide visibility into real-time sales and inventory data.
Walmart's U.S. CEO Greg Foran said Walmart is more willing to invest in the best real estate.
"I've been running stores for almost 40 years and can tell you the most important thing is location. And the second most important thing is location, and the third one is location. It's important to have low prices and have a clean store but I've seen stores that run really low prices and are really well run and clean, but if you're not where the customer wants you to be then it doesn't work," he said.
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