Walmart is repurposing former pharmacies, a thrift store and other small spaces in local communities as last-mile stockrooms for speedier delivery in a battle with Amazon for consumers’ grocery dollars.
The largest US retailer has in the past year opened at least three so-called Walmart Depots in Dallas, New Jersey and Arkansas, the company has said in public filings. Potential future locations include former Rite Aid pharmacies in New York and California and a building previously occupied by a Goodwill second-hand store in Virginia, records show.
Walmart is speaking to landlords and brokers about opening more depots in the New York metropolitan area, Florida, Nevada and the Pacific Northwest, commercial real estate executives said.