With an emphasis on interactivity, Walmart has unveiled a new merchandising format dubbed Time Well Spent meant to keep the company’s customers shopping longer.
In a blog post by Alvis Washington, vp, marketing – store design, innovation and experience, Walmart unveiled the new format established in the company’s incubator location, Store 4108 in Springdale, AK, one focused on making Walmart a destination where customers want to spend their time.
Customers still want to experience touch, feel and try items even in an omnichannel world, according to Walmart asserted, so it is moving to ensure that customers feel “wowed” while shopping. The retailer is combining design elements that show off product and value in a way that makes customers feel good about shopping in the store.
Walmart recently initiated a first phase store redesign focused on navigation and wayfinding, receiving feedback positive enough to expand the format to almost 1,000 stores.
In this next redesign phase, Walmart is reviewing physical, human and digital design factors as regards stores to inspire customers and elevate their experience, the retailer noted. Physical elements include lighting, space enhancements, dynamic displays and related additions. Visual merchandising experts have highlighted exciting brands and created engaging arrangements, Walmart added, with QR codes and digital screens mounted to provide opportunities for digital exploration.
The guiding design principles for the redesign, as characterized by Walmart, are:
- Activated corners. Exciting displays at the corners of certain departments were developed to pull customers in and help them touch, feel and inhabit the space. Home may feature a living room or bedroom set where the customer can squeeze a throw pillow or feel a blanket’s coziness then purchase and take home, or order online.
- Elevated brand shops. The store within a store experience taken to the next level, with, for example, apparel exclusive and national brands at great prices celebrated for their quality and style.
- More space to discover. Reimagined slots where customers can explore and discover the breadth and depth of what Walmart stores have to offer to feature optimized assortments that elevate engaging storytelling.
- Digital touchpoints. Showcasing the variety of merchandise and brands Walmart offers in stores while communicating to consumers the vast range of products and services its offers online via the strategic use of QR codes and digital screens.
Walmart asserted that early results show that customers are, indeed, wowed by the redesign.
Washington maintained that Walmart will continue to test, learn, and make changes based on what customer experience dictates. As it does so, Walmart will quickly adjust and deliver an even better, more engaging experience in 2022 and beyond, Washington insisted.
