Walmart making big investment in Indiana stores

The largest retailer in the country – and the biggest employer in Indiana – is making a major investment in some of its Hoosier locations. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) plans to invest more than $75 million to update and remodel 15 stores throughout the state, the company announced Monday. When complete, Walmart says the upgrades will provide expanded shopping options for customers.

In an interview on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick, Walmart Regional General Manager Jessica Villanueva said the investment is part of the company’s omnichannel growth.

“We’re growing memberships in Walmart+, and with that brings a lot of benefits to our customers,” she said. “So, for a busy mom or that working mom or dad that can’t get into our stores, they have the ability to go ahead and shop online and get their products right in front of their doors the same day. So, that’s really exciting for us to be able to expand and grow that throughout Indiana.”

Walmart says the enhancements to the Indiana stores include creating pickup and delivery options. Inside the stores, the company will make upgrades to flooring, fixtures, and signage, as well as installing LED lighting,

The company is also planning to modernize bathroom facilities at each store and add or refresh a mother’s room to give privacy for nursing mothers. Additionally, plans are set to increase the number of self-checkout lanes and staffed registers.

“Our local stores have never been more important to the way we serve customers today and, in the future,” said Villanueva. “Nearly ninety percent of the U.S. population lives within ten miles of a Walmart, so whether someone is shopping in-store, online, through mobile or Pick Up, our brick-and-mortar stores play a role in fulfilling those orders.”

Some of the stores have already celebrated their grand reopening with the completed upgrades. The full list of Indiana stores involved with the investment include:

• Valparaiso – 2400 Morthland Dr.
• LaPorte – 333 Boyd Blvd.
• Hammond – 7850 Cabela Dr.
• Decatur – 1700 S. 13th St.
• Connersville – 4200 Western Ave.
• Greenfield – 1965 N. State St.
• Boonville – 1115 American Way
• Jasper – 4040 N. Newton St.
• Seymour – 1600 E. Tipton St.
• Madison – 567 Ivy Tech Dr.
• Tell City – 730 U.S. Highway 66 E
• Paoli – 735 N Gospel St.
• New Albany – 2910 Grant Line Rd.
• Evansville – 2500 N. First Ave. & 3430 Taylor Ave.

The company did not specify how many jobs would be added as a result, but a spokesperson says staffing will be monitored as the renovations continue.

“Walmart’s store remodels bring construction and trade jobs to these local communities,” the spokesperson said. “Additionally, Walmart is making sure we are staffed up to take care of our customers as each store goes through their transformation, including extra associates on the floor to help customers navigate the changes easily.”

Walmart employs more than 46,000 workers at its Supercenter, Neighborhood Market and Sam’s Club locations throughout Indiana.