BENTONVILLE, ARK. – Walmart is reportedly re-entering the “dark store” concept, operating retail-like facilities exclusively for fulfilling online orders and not open to public shoppers. The retail giant has already launched one such warehouse in Dallas, Texas, with plans for another near its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, according to Bloomberg.
The strategic move aims to accelerate delivery times for online purchases significantly. This initiative comes as consumers increasingly opt to pay extra for quicker delivery. This trend intensifies competition with e-commerce leaders like Amazon, where rapid shipping is a key draw for shoppers.
These “dark stores” will be stocked with some of Walmart’s most popular items, serving to expand the reach and efficiency of its existing network of traditional stores and larger warehouses.
This isn’t Walmart’s first foray into this model. The company previously operated a small number of similar warehouses from the 2010s, continuing through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In recent years, Walmart has made substantial efforts to bolster its digital operations, introducing new services and integrating third-party sellers onto its platform to enhance its e-commerce capabilities.
In April, Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon wrote in his annual letter to shareholders that the company plans to deliver to 95% of Americans within three hours by the end of the year.
This delivery capability will be enabled by Walmart’s investments in technologies throughout its supply chain, which support both its stores and its eCommerce business, McMillon wrote.
