CYBER SHOP
Walmart opens flagship ‘Store of the Future’ with interactive maps & digital shelves that show reviews as you shop
It'll be easier to buy top brands like Apple, Samsung, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo
WALMART has gone high-tech to offer shoppers interactive maps and digital shelves at its flagship “store of the future.”
Other innovations include an interactive concierge service while connecting the world of physical and digital shopping.
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Walmart has re-opened its gigantic flagship 223,000 square feet store in Mississauga, Ontario in Canada.
The Square One Walmart Supercentre has been updated to "test new technologies and concepts among its endless aisles," the retailer said.
The revamped state-of-the-art store - which first opened 30 years ago - now features futuristic tech-enhanced service for customers.
Shoppers will benefit from updated lighting, new signage and digital maps to find their way around the store.
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Aside from a heavy focus on in-store tech, there is also an expanded grocery department, reported Canadian Grocer.
Upgrades to the store include additional self-checkout kiosks, a 5,000-square-foot automated warehouse to fulfill online delivery and pickup orders, plus digital screens on shelves, it added.
“While we call it a store of the future, it feels a lot like a Walmart still and that’s by design.
"We’re digitizing the experience for our customers, but also simplifying operations for our associates,” said Walmart Canada’s chief operations officer, John Bayliss, during the grand-reopening early Friday morning.
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INSTANT PROMOTIONS
The Canadian Grocer visited the cracker aisle, where LCD screens can be seen along the length of the shelves.
These show product prices, along with videos and even customer reviews which have been taken from Walmart's e-commerce site.
“It brings to life imagery and video in a way the current [shelf tags] can’t," added Bayliss.
"This beta test [real-life testing] of the patent-pending, Walmart-created hardware and software is part of the retailer’s ongoing efforts to deliver the future of retail," said the chain.
The LCD screens show shoppers promotions and discounts.
HEALTH HELP
The store has also introduced food for busy families - a counter serving convenient, hot meals to go.
This includes the store's signature black pepper chicken, jerk chicken and black pepper beef priced from $6.97 to $13.97.
The chain's first Walmart Health hub has also now opened for customers in Canada - featuring the firm’s digital pharmacy app.
Walmart's "store of the future"
The retailer has unveiled its tech-focused flagship store in Canada. Here's what it features:
- Digital and interactive maps for easier navigation
- Immersive retail experience
- Walmart Health hub supported by the company’s digital pharmacy app and interactive concierge service
- LCD screens along shelves showing promotions, prices, product videos and reviews
- New counter serving convenient, hot meals to go
- Frictionless electronics department using QR codes to place orders
- Additional self-checkout kiosks
- Updated lighting
- Easier shopping for large furniture, also using QR codes
- 5,000-sq-ft automated "warehouse" to fulfill online delivery and pickup orders
The hub centralizes the store’s pharmacy, vision centre and medical clinic into one zone.
"This includes a new health guide area that educates customers around seasonally-relevant health solutions and an interactive concierge service.
"This interactive concierge service will help customers discover and schedule pharmacy and optical appointments, and find health and wellness products in store, including a vitamin recommendation tool," said Walmart.
AUTOMATED PICK-UP
Massive changes have also been made to the electronics department, where the aim is to provide a "frictionless experience."
This means "dedicated spaces" for brands like Apple, Samsung, Windows, Google, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo.
"When customers are ready to check out, they can either scan a QR code on-shelf or leverage custom screens to place their order.
"In minutes, the order will be fulfilled through an automated picking system.
"Larger items like TVs will be available for pickup in designated spaces at the upper and lower levels," the retailer added.
QR CODES
Changes have also been made when it comes to buying large-scale items like a patio, or BBQ.
Shoppers can see products on the sales floor for a first-hand look.
Then it's a case of scanning a QR code to complete their purchase, which will be available for pickup once they’ve completed their shopping.
The US Sun has contacted Walmart for further details on any high-tech expansion into its US outlets.
AI TECH
The futuristic switch-up was applauded by local officials, including Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, who attended the grand re-opening.
"This is a retail staple in the community, employing over 400 local workers.
"Thank you for your renewed investment in Ontario," he said last Friday.
While we call it a store of the future, it feels a lot like a Walmart still and that’s by design.
"I know our customers and associates are going to love what they see – and I can’t wait to welcome them," said Rehman Khalid, store manager, Square One Walmart Supercentre.
"The Mississauga Board of Trade applauds these significant investments, and Walmart Canada’s commitment to supporting economic growth and job creation in Mississauga and across Canada," said Trevor McPherson, the board's president and CEO.
It comes as Walmart has also implemented futuristic technology to its distribution warehouses in a move that follows rival Amazon.
The retailer is deploying 19 autonomous forklifts at four distribution centers nationwide.
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These forklifts can unload pallets off trucks, and carry them to an automatic storage and retrieval system.
They use AI technology to "see" the pallets and move them around accurately, without the need for human assistance.