Walmart Canada Announces Grand Re-Opening of Flagship Location; John Bayliss Comments
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA - Nostalgia and modernity are melding with Walmart’s latest opening. Thirty years after its initial opening, the retail behemoth’s Square One Walmart Supercentre in Mississauga, Ontario, is re-opening as the big-box chain’s flagship location.
“As Walmart Canada celebrates its 30th year in Canada, we continue to evolve to better serve our customers. With this milestone, it’s fitting that one of our first stores in Canada is becoming our flagship location, reimagined to best suit the needs of the transforming Mississauga community,” said John Bayliss, Chief Operations Officer, Walmart Canada. “The investment we’ve made in our Square One Walmart Supercentre will help us to provide a more seamless omnichannel shopping experience for our existing and new customers and explore the future of retail as we look to the next 30 years.”
The 223,000-square-foot location is Walmart Canada’s largest store by square foot and reflects one of the retailer's largest capital investments in a single store. According to a release, the updated location will enable continued growth and exploration in omnichannel retail innovation for Walmart Canada as it tests new technologies and concepts.
This location will feature new ways to shop, including updated lighting, new signage, and digital wayfinding to enhance the in-store experience. There will also be an in-store pickup kiosk catering to consumers without a vehicle.
Additionally, Walmart has introduced a larger fresh produce area and increased grocery assortment. This includes a wider selection of global foods and a new hot table with convenient meals to go.
At the Mississauga location, Walmart will also be beta testing its first SmartShelf. The patent-pending, Walmart-created hardware and software is part of the retailer’s efforts to innovate the space. The 28-foot fixture features an LCD screen at each shelf, connecting the world of physical and digital shopping by allowing customers to see ratings and reviews for products and experience greater visibility for promotions and discounts. Plus, it allows automation and streamlining for associate tasks like price changes, modular changes, and stocking.
While SmartShelf is currently being used for the cracker aisle only, its unveiling invites us to imagine the possibilities that lie in its application to fresh produce.
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To see how the concept evolves, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
