Walmart Introduces Small Store Format

Walmart is still trying to take over the world in every form possible. I am not a fan of walmart so this isn't a "yea!" thread.
Bad enough that the box stores drive out businesses, but now it is looking to drive out the other small businesses too.
The only that prevents WalMart from spreading even further is the store size and massive parking lot. Now they will tarnish the smaller neighborhoods as well. This is sad news to me.

Washington Post

Executives said they are still testing which products to carry and considering the optimal size for Express stores. The Gentry store includes a pharmacy and check-cashing service, but other locations may sell gas and other items. Fourteen additional pilot stores are under construction in North Carolina and Chicago and are expected to open later this year.

TESCO Tried a similar version by opening an chain called Fresh and Easy in California. Instead of a box store, it went with a smaller and more conveinant format. It failed because of California's economy and it wasn't quite built according to the American consumer's taste. Tesco being the European version of WalMart.

In February 2006, Tesco announced its intention to move into the United States market, opening a chain of grocery convenience stores on the West Coast (Arizona, California and Nevada) in 2007 named Fresh & Easy.[99] The company established its U.S. headquarters in El Segundo, California at 2120 Park Place. The first store opened in November 2007 with 100 more expected in the first year. They plan to open a new one every two-and-a-half days in the United States, to mimic the successful expansion of pharmacy chains such as Walgreens in the U.S.

Tesco wiki

But I think if Tesco had formatted it's stores properly to the California market, it could of given WalMarts a run for their money. Anything, even a giant like Tesco, that takes away from WalMart, is a good thing.

Maybe the makers of South Park are right Something Wal Mart This Way Comes

This Monster must be stopped but unfortunately, the days of Communities getting together and taking a stand on issues that destroy their areas are long gone. Most people don't even know the name of the family across their street.

Wal-Mart has destroyed the American small towns and now Canada as well.

So now, the local convenience store that has served the neighborhood for 50 yrs will close. No more sending the kids to Mom 'n Pops corner store for milk.

Now they'll have to enter through a scanner, look at the TV overhead with "If you see something, say something' propaganda messages across the screen and leave thru the scanner again. How long before the TSA puts an agent at the door to fondle the little kiddies in order to 'protect' the neighborhood?

Sad days indeed.

I wonder if they are attempting to pull away the market share from the Dollar Store? I imagine this might be the type of format they are looking at. Dollar Stores are doing very well and they seem to be in a lot of rural places where there is not a lot of competition.

My wife told me about this about a month ago. It is bad news for the few remaining mom and pop places out there eeking out a meager living. I don't even know what to say. "We are Wal-Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile." This whole mess gives me a squiggly.

Mom and pop shops need to refocus

Convenient stores are dead...the walmonster took over that, however, walmart fails in variety of single products. A person will fail opening a small supermarket, but they may excel at creating a 1000 difference cheeses store...
Walmart has no variety for individual areas...they are the "big shop for necessities" store and nothing will change that.

I hate walmart, and like a proper hypocrite, I do go there because its cheap, convenient, and really the only thing around where I can pick up groceries, socks, and perhaps some tupperware...however, if I want to say, purchase a set of candles for a gift...I will find a specialist candlemaker and browse their infinate selection...something walmart doesn't do....
if you want a candle in walmart, you choice a choice...red, white, blue, or pink. also the tall and skinny or short and fat...maybe some in a jar smelling like apples or cherrys...thats about it. if you want a crystal cavern style candle with all sorts of effects and bling, your going to a specialist shop.

so ya...specialist shops amping up their uniqueness can compete still...or at least stay afloat. however, this small store idea seems to be targetted at just that.

We have a few of these in the county I live in. They've opened about four years ago or so. we may have been one of the test markets, I'm not sure. Essentially they are a grocery store that is open 24 hours. Their direct competitors are Publix, Sweet Bay, etc. It's a slightly less evil version of Wal Mart in that they don't have all of the impulse items staged like in the main stores. I detest giving money to Wal Mart, but it is the only grocery store open 24 hours available to us.

reply to post by TheBirdisDone


Yes they are. Target also took on a dollar store format. Some of the grocery stores are doing it as well. I haven't decided if the dollar store format is good or not.
Another chain that is getting popular that took on a dollar store format is Five and Below.