Walmart plans to give its Neighborhood Market concept, a small-format supermarket, an in-store revamp to a new, “fresh and friendly” prototype to better compete with conventional food retailers and price-focused merchants (dollar stores, discount grocers, etc.).
“We’ve created a more modern look and feel. We’ve changed the colors… You’ll see pick-up, you’ll see pharmacy and you’ll see fresh food,” said Julie Murphy, EVP of Neighborhood Markets.
According to a recent Supermarket News story, Walmart has employed its “fresh angle” layout in the stores, which features a spacious produce section arranged on low tables positioned at an angle to provide greater visibility to perimeter deli and prepared foods.
Earlier this month Walmart also announced that it will test delivery with Uber and Lyft. The tests will take place in Denver (Lyft) and Phoenix (Uber) to execute home delivery of grocery orders. The plan is for customers to order online, then request that the car service pick up the items at Walmart and bring them to their home. The customer would pay a $7 – $10 delivery charge online and make no payment to the driver.
In April Walmart said it was launching a “click-and-collect” grocery shopping option in eight new markets, and expanding its availability in a few markets where it’s already available. The free pick-up service launched in Kansas City, Boise, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Austin, Provo, Daphne (AL), and Charleston (SC). Service expanded in Dallas, Houston and Atlanta.
According to Walmart, 90% of online orders include fresh grocery items like dairy, produce or meat.