Dive Brief:
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Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is planning to re-brand its “Express” stores — smaller, more urban outlets — to “Neighborhood Market,” according to an internal memo obtained by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
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There are 21 Wal-Mart Express stores nationwide, 381 Neighborhood Market stores, and 3,879 other Wal-Mart stores, including its big-box supercenter stores.
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Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has seen declining sales in its U.S. stores, and recently lowered its outlook for same-store sales for the year.
Dive Insight:
Wal-Mart Stores is saying that its Express format is doing well, but that its value to customers — smaller, more urban outlets allowing for some last-minute shopping — mirrors that of its Neighborhood Market stores. The smaller stores compete with many dollar stores, which are also expanding offerings by including more items, like groceries.
While this change streamlines the company’s branding of its brick-and-mortar stores, it’s a small piece of an overall strategy to boost performance in a tough general retail market.
