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By Amanda Greenwood
Associate News Editor
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Walmart is testing a new approach to store renovations as it looks to modernize hundreds of its Neighborhood Market locations across six states, according to a statement from the company.
A Faster Remodel With Less Disruption
According to Walmart, beginning in April, the rapid remodel pilot will take place at Neighborhood Market locations across Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina and Louisiana.
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During a four‑week construction period, customers can still access the pharmacy and fuel services, but the grocery and general merchandise areas are to be temporarily closed.
The company said the stores selected for the test were chosen partly because there were other Walmart locations nearby—allowing customers to shop in person at alternative stores or place pickup and delivery orders through the Walmart app or website.
"This is an opportunity to test, learn, and refine our remodel process to identify best practices for the future," Walmart said in a statement outlining the initiative.
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What Walmart Shoppers Can Expect When Stores Reopen
When the remodeled stores reopen, Walmart hopes the changes will help customers complete their shopping and navigate their way around the store quicker and easier.
Planned upgrades include expanded aisles, new layouts that create more space, upgraded checkout areas and brighter, more inviting interiors.
Many locations are expected to also feature digital price signage designed to highlight rollbacks and featured items, replacing traditional paper shelf tags. Walmart said the technology is intended to make pricing clearer and help associates assist customers more efficiently.
Associates Play a Central Role
Unlike traditional remodels, which often rely heavily on third‑party construction crews, Walmart said store associates would work alongside remodel teams during the four‑week closures.
Employees will help install fixtures, organize merchandise and prepare stores for reopening, the company said, emphasizing that employees' familiarity with their stores and customers would help shape the final layout and flow.
Why Walmart Is Rethinking Remodels
Neighborhood Markets—which are smaller than Walmart Supercenters and focused primarily on grocery and pharmacy items—have become an increasingly important part of the company's U.S. footprint.
According to Walmart, the company operates 673 Neighborhood Market locations nationwide, compared with 5,212 total U.S. clubs and stores.
By squeezing the renovations into a four‑week period, Walmart seeks to deliver updated stores faster while avoiding the frustration of customers having to navigate around construction zones. The company said it believed a short, clearly defined closure might be less disruptive than prolonged partial renovations.
"We want to alleviate as much customer disruption as possible and deliver a better store experience, faster," the company said.
What Happens Next
Walmart has not disclosed how many Neighborhood Markets will be included in the initial pilot or whether it will expand the rapid remodel process nationwide. The company said the test‑and‑learn phase would help determine whether the approach becomes a standard part of future remodels.
For now, shoppers in the affected states can expect temporary closures beginning in early April, followed by reopened stores designed to better support quick trips, digital ordering and everyday grocery needs.
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