Walmart Canada Announces Major Investment in Stores, and 2 Store Closures

Date:

Share post:

Walmart Canada has announced that it will invest over $200-million in its store network this year. Included will be renovations to 31 of its stores that will create about 3,250 construction jobs, according to the company. Walmart Canada has also announced that it will be closing two stores in Ontario and Quebec. 

The company says that the investment will strengthen its Canadian store network while providing a “better in-store experience”. That includes expanding the retailer’s Supercentre format to more locations. As well, Walmart Canada says that it will help create a “more seamless experience for customers ordering on Walmart.ca and picking up at their local store”. 

“Our store network is a key advantage in our ability to best serve the changing needs of our customers,” said Lee Tappenden, president and CEO of Walmart Canada. “1.2 million customers in Canada choose to shop in our stores every day and we are focused on making their experience easy, enjoyable and convenient while seamlessly integrating our e-Commerce business.  Investing in our stores is critical for the future of our business and to deliver on the changing needs of our customers.”

PHOTO: WALMART CANADA

Store enhancements will include new dedicated parking spaces for online grocery pickup and new areas in stores devoted to online orders. A wider assortment of fresh food will be made available, including adding bakery departments and hot food offerings, as well as introducing new licensees to its stores. Walmart has partnered with Jack Nathan Health Centres as well as various restaurants, medical facilities and even fitness concepts for stores. 

Stores will also see a “refreshed look and feel” that will include updated merchandising and colour palette, as well as new signage. The goal is to ‘make stores fun and engaging for the customer”, according to Walmart Canada. 

The announcement follows last year’s investment of $175-million into Walmart Canada’s store network and over the past five years, the company has invested more than $1-billion in its Canadian locations. 

PICK-UP CENTRE AT A WALMART STORE. PHOTO: WALMART CANADA

The announced renovated stores will be in seven Canadian provinces including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland. 

In British Columbia, stores in Langley and Victoria will see renovations. Alberta stores to be renovated include locations in Calgary (Westbrook), Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Lloydminster and Wetaskawin. A store in Yorktown, Saskatchewan will be renovated, as well units in Winnipeg and Thompson in Manitoba. In Ontario, 17 stores will be renovated in Bolton, Brampton (East), Brockville, Kanata, Kenora, Orillia, Ottawa (South), Pembroke, Renfrew, Richmond Hill (South), St. Catharines (Centre), St. Thomas, Timmins, Toronto (Stockyards), Trenton, Vaughan (West) and Windsor (South). In Quebec, Stores in Montreal (Decarie) as well as in Repentigny and St. Jerome will be renovated. A store in Gander, Newfoundland, will also see upgrades. 

Over the past four years, Walmart Canada has opened more than 20 stores in Canada, now boasting more than 400 locations nationwide. The company has more than 85,000 associates and is one of Canada’s largest employers. 

PHOTO: WALMART CANADA

As part of the announcement, Walmart Canada says that it is closing two of its stores. One will be at 101 Boulevard Cardinal Leger in Pincourt, Quebec, and the other will be at Station Mall at 293 Bay Street in downtown Sault St. Marie, Ontario. 

It’s a major blow to Station Mall, which is Northern Ontario’s second largest shopping centre that has almost 100 stores in more than 500,000 square feet of space. The mall’s 84,000 square foot Sears anchor shuttered last year after Sears Canada declared bankruptcy. The Walmart store was formerly a Zellers location. 

Shoppers in Sault St. Marie are being directed to a newly renovated Walmart Supercentre at 446 Great Northern Rd in the city’s northern suburbs. 

WALMART STORE AT STATION SQUARE IN SAULT ST. MARIE, ONTARIO. IMAGE: GOOGLE STREET VIEW. CLICK IMAGE FOR INTERACTIVE VIEW.

Walmart Canada is also said to be undergoing a ‘quiet restructuring’ in Canada according to sources formerly with the company, who say that the retailer is terminating some long-term staff. It’s being done a few at a time so as to not attract media attention, they said. 

Value-priced competition amongst retailers in Canada continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. Costco continues to open stores and see incredible success in Canada — the company has about 100 stores in Canada, compared to less than 600 in the United states, with many Canadian Costco stores selling well in excess of $100-million annually.

Chains such as Giant Tiger continue to rapidly open stores and given Walmart’s depth in merchandise, it also competes with retailers ranging from Canadian tire to Loblaw brands such as Real Canadian Superstore and even TJX banners Winners, Marshalls and HomeSense for certain fashion and other categories. 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More From The Author

Canadian Retail Sales Growth for 2023 Expected to be ‘Modest’ Following Record-Breaking Numbers Two Years Prior [Report/Interview]

Retailers face a few hurdles this year as consumers pull back amid inflation, while leasing activity remains strong according to a new Colliers report.

Calgary Co-op Owned ‘Community Natural Foods’ Expanding to Edmonton’s Old Strathcona with 1st Store [Interview]

The retailer has three Calgary locations and its new 10,000+ square foot Edmonton location will mark the beginning of a store expansion in that market.

Jewellery Designer Alan Anderson Opens Unique Atelier Retail Space in Historic Toronto Mansion [Interview/Photos]

The dramatic and unique space will also be utilized for events as Anderson works to help other local designers showcase their wares.

Federal Budget Does Little to Help Canadians with Food Affordability [Op-Ed]

Sylvain Charlebois says that the Federal budget falls short on helping Canadians desperate to afford food at the grocery store.

2023 Federal Budget Misses the Mark for Retailers in Canada [Interviews]

Retail Insider interviewed several association heads who say that the newly released budget isn't sufficient enough to help retailers, and consumers will be negatively impacted as a result.

Canadian Consumers Cautious as Foot Traffic Returns and Preferences Change [Study/Interview]

The next few months could be rocky for some retailers as consumers take a pause following inflation and other pressures.

Goodwill Planning to Open Dozens of Stores in Canada as Thrifting Grows [Interview]

The resale retailer is seeing significant opportunities for growth with large stores as consumers embrace sustainability as well as a value price-point.

Lifestyle Brand ‘La Canadienne’ Opens 4th Store with Plans for Expansion [Interviews/Photos]

Canadian retailer La Canadienne, in business for 35 years, recently opened its fourth store in the country as it strategically looks to expand its brand.

Bloor Street Update: What’s on the Way for Toronto’s Luxury Run? [Podcast]

Craig and Lee talk about retail on Bloor Street in downtown Toronto, including the new temporary Fabricland store where H&M was, as well as new big brands and luxury brands that will be opening this year nearby.

Record Price Obtained for Yorkville Retail Building Containing Isaia Flagship Store

The historic building’s record-breaking price per square foot indicates confidence in Bloor-Yorkville retail, according to CBRE’s Arlin Markowitz.

The Hidden Cost of Carbon Taxes and How it Will Impact Food Retail in Canada [Op-Ed]

Sylvain Charlebois says that the Carbon Tax will make it more difficult for many companies to keep food affordable, impacting many families even more who are already suffering.

Women Of Color Retail Alliance Building A Network Of Support And Change [Interview]

Kimberly Lee Minor and Liza Amlani discuss the organization and the challenges women of colour still face in the retail sector.

Airports in Canada Missing the Mark, Need to Bring in More Localized Retailers and Offerings [Expert Interview]

Larry Leung says that the ‘arrival side’ in particular is an opportunity for airports to attract waiting consumers while promoting tourism in the city and offering experiences.

Broader Shift in Consumer Spending in Canada Towards Experiential Activities [Report/Expert Interview]

Steve Sadove of Mastercard goes over recent numbers showing a cautious Canadian consumer around retail, while foodservice businesses are "killing it" in terms of growth post-pandemic.

Fabricland to Replace H&M on Toronto’s Bloor Street Luxury Run

Fabricland will be located across from Holt Renfrew on the most prestigious retail street in Canada.

Zellers Could be Successful in Canada After Thursday Launch at Hudson’s Bay [Interview]

Madeleine Nicholls of Colliers says that the timing is right for a value concept as consumers seek nostalgia and value at a challenging time.

Innovative Lifestyle Retailer Benkei Hime Plans National Store Expansion After 2022 Launch [Interviews]

The bubble tea and fashion/youth culture retail concept opened its first Canadian locations last year, and broker Jeff Berkowitz says many more are on the way.

Eyewear Brand Warby Parker Adding More Stores to its Canadian Roster [Interview]

A company representative said in an interview that Warby Parker is bullish on its brick-and-mortar expansion after opening its first store in Canada in 2016.

Immersive Aquarium to Open as Part of Montreal’s Royalmount Project [Interviews]

The exciting mixed-use Royalmount will also feature a roster of foodservice offerings and retailers, including a mix of luxury brand stores such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

Mark Cohen, Former Sears Canada CEO, Discusses Why Nordstrom Failed in Canada [Video Interview]

Craig sits down with Mark Cohen, Director of Retail Studies at Columbia Business School and CEO of Sears Canada between 2001 and 2004. They discuss why Nordstrom failed in Canada, what might happen with the spaces as well as a revelation that HBC attempted to get Sears to acquire it twice during Cohen's tenure.

RECENT RETAIL INSIDER VIDEOS

Advertisment

Subscribe to the Newsletter

RECENT articles

Canadian Retail Sales Growth for 2023 Expected to be ‘Modest’ Following Record-Breaking Numbers Two Years Prior [Report/Interview]

Retailers face a few hurdles this year as consumers pull back amid inflation, while leasing activity remains strong according to a new Colliers report.

Calgary Co-op Owned ‘Community Natural Foods’ Expanding to Edmonton’s Old Strathcona with 1st Store [Interview]

The retailer has three Calgary locations and its new 10,000+ square foot Edmonton location will mark the beginning of a store expansion in that market.

Jewellery Designer Alan Anderson Opens Unique Atelier Retail Space in Historic Toronto Mansion [Interview/Photos]

The dramatic and unique space will also be utilized for events as Anderson works to help other local designers showcase their wares.

Federal Budget Does Little to Help Canadians with Food Affordability [Op-Ed]

Sylvain Charlebois says that the Federal budget falls short on helping Canadians desperate to afford food at the grocery store.

2023 Federal Budget Misses the Mark for Retailers in Canada [Interviews]

Retail Insider interviewed several association heads who say that the newly released budget isn't sufficient enough to help retailers, and consumers will be negatively impacted as a result.

Canadian Consumers Cautious as Foot Traffic Returns and Preferences Change [Study/Interview]

The next few months could be rocky for some retailers as consumers take a pause following inflation and other pressures.

Goodwill Planning to Open Dozens of Stores in Canada as Thrifting Grows [Interview]

The resale retailer is seeing significant opportunities for growth with large stores as consumers embrace sustainability as well as a value price-point.

Lifestyle Brand ‘La Canadienne’ Opens 4th Store with Plans for Expansion [Interviews/Photos]

Canadian retailer La Canadienne, in business for 35 years, recently opened its fourth store in the country as it strategically looks to expand its brand.

Bloor Street Update: What’s on the Way for Toronto’s Luxury Run? [Podcast]

Craig and Lee talk about retail on Bloor Street in downtown Toronto, including the new temporary Fabricland store where H&M was, as well as new big brands and luxury brands that will be opening this year nearby.

Record Price Obtained for Yorkville Retail Building Containing Isaia Flagship Store

The historic building’s record-breaking price per square foot indicates confidence in Bloor-Yorkville retail, according to CBRE’s Arlin Markowitz.

The Hidden Cost of Carbon Taxes and How it Will Impact Food Retail in Canada [Op-Ed]

Sylvain Charlebois says that the Carbon Tax will make it more difficult for many companies to keep food affordable, impacting many families even more who are already suffering.

Women Of Color Retail Alliance Building A Network Of Support And Change [Interview]

Kimberly Lee Minor and Liza Amlani discuss the organization and the challenges women of colour still face in the retail sector.

Airports in Canada Missing the Mark, Need to Bring in More Localized Retailers and Offerings [Expert Interview]

Larry Leung says that the ‘arrival side’ in particular is an opportunity for airports to attract waiting consumers while promoting tourism in the city and offering experiences.

Broader Shift in Consumer Spending in Canada Towards Experiential Activities [Report/Expert Interview]

Steve Sadove of Mastercard goes over recent numbers showing a cautious Canadian consumer around retail, while foodservice businesses are "killing it" in terms of growth post-pandemic.

Fabricland to Replace H&M on Toronto’s Bloor Street Luxury Run

Fabricland will be located across from Holt Renfrew on the most prestigious retail street in Canada.

Zellers Could be Successful in Canada After Thursday Launch at Hudson’s Bay [Interview]

Madeleine Nicholls of Colliers says that the timing is right for a value concept as consumers seek nostalgia and value at a challenging time.

Innovative Lifestyle Retailer Benkei Hime Plans National Store Expansion After 2022 Launch [Interviews]

The bubble tea and fashion/youth culture retail concept opened its first Canadian locations last year, and broker Jeff Berkowitz says many more are on the way.

Eyewear Brand Warby Parker Adding More Stores to its Canadian Roster [Interview]

A company representative said in an interview that Warby Parker is bullish on its brick-and-mortar expansion after opening its first store in Canada in 2016.

Immersive Aquarium to Open as Part of Montreal’s Royalmount Project [Interviews]

The exciting mixed-use Royalmount will also feature a roster of foodservice offerings and retailers, including a mix of luxury brand stores such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

Mark Cohen, Former Sears Canada CEO, Discusses Why Nordstrom Failed in Canada [Video Interview]

Craig sits down with Mark Cohen, Director of Retail Studies at Columbia Business School and CEO of Sears Canada between 2001 and 2004. They discuss why Nordstrom failed in Canada, what might happen with the spaces as well as a revelation that HBC attempted to get Sears to acquire it twice during Cohen's tenure.