Wal-Mart's 'Urban Format': The Wal-Mart Sushi Bar

Wal-Mart is adapting its suburban big-box format the to sensibilities of urban residents in larger cities. Atlanta's new store includes a decidedly more upscale mix of products.

1 minute read

October 17, 2006, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


From the hardwood floors to the rooftop parking lot, you'll see little trace of the retailer's suburban big box when the doors open Wednesday. The Midtown store sits below street level, out of sight from the traffic on Howell Mill Road. Inside, Wal-Mart has ditched the bargain-basement atmosphere for a more upscale air, complete with sushi bar.

...The new urban format is one piece in a puzzle that Wal-Mart hasn't had to solve until recently... In response, Wal-Mart is ramping up its "store of the community" strategy, designed to reflect the tastes of local demographics.

The urban format, up and running at only a handful of the chain's 3,700 U.S. stores, is an amplification of a localized strategy that's rolling out across the country..."

Thanks to Otis White

Friday, October 13, 2006 in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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