Walmart celebrates remodel of Tacoma store, entering digital age. Here’s what’s changed
Walmart’s Tacoma Supercenter recently completed its store remodel, adding a new mural, expanded departments and other features geared toward digital shopping.
The retail giant’s store at 1965 S. Union Ave., opened in 2013 after a multi-year contentious battle with opponents of big-box retail in the city to build the store, and launched its first significant remodel a decade later.
Plans for the remodel were filed with the City of Tacoma in November 2022.
On Friday (Jan. 5) store manager Mary Jensen and the Walmart Foundation hosted a celebration of the upgraded store and presented more than $100,000 in grants to various nonprofits in the area. It also featured a Color Guard ceremony.
The remodel included the addition of a Tacoma-themed mural at the entrance, expanded online pickup and delivery, more parking spaces, a remodeled front entrance, new vision center and “mother’s room” for nursing moms, new fitting rooms, signage and lighting along with new displays.
The store also expanded its apparel section and baby department and updated the pharmacy, grocery and the rest of the store’s departments including electronics.
“Nearly every department in this store was upgraded in one way or another, and our customers will notice as soon as they walk through the door,” Mary Jensen, Walmart store manager, said in a statement. “These improvements will offer a fresh new look and a better shopping experience for our customers.”
Among other upgrades, Walmart added “Digital touchpoints,” which it describes as a feature appearing “throughout the store to communicate to customers the vast range of products and services Walmart offers online through the use of QR codes and digital screens.”
“For example, in Walmart’s Pet Care area, a customer may scan the QR code to find additional dog bed options, learn about Walmart’s pet insurance service options or have a 20-pound bag of kibble delivered to their door,” the retailer noted.
Walmart announced at the end of October that it would be celebrating the “re-grand opening” of 117 remodeled stores nationwide, “an investment of more than half a billion dollars in 30 states.” The retailer plans to spend more than $9 billion over a two-year period overhauling and modernizing 1,400 U.S. store locations.
The interior store redesigns are reminiscent of recent redesigns seen at other brick and mortar retail stores, such as Kohl’s and Target.
Walmart operates approximately 10,500 stores and clubs across 19 countries, along with eCommerce websites.
The Tacoma store is more closely aligned now with features offered as part of the company’s Walmart+ program, a service it offers as Walmart competes against other retailers’ digital offerings such as Target and its Circle app and Amazon/Amazon Prime.
Walmart+ members can “receive access to benefits like free delivery from their local store, free shipping with no minimum order, a Paramount+ Essential subscription, mobile Scan & Go, member pricing on fuel, and the ability to gain Walmart Rewards and early access to deals,” according to the retailer.
Walmart+ costs $98 annually with a 30-day free trial period. Customers can sign up or get more information at Walmart.com/plus.
The News Tribune archives contributed to this report.
