Walmart gets makeover

Walmart gets makeover




TITUSVILLE — The Walmart Supercenter in Titusville is getting a makeover as part of the company's "Project Impact."



Project Impact is Walmart's strategy to upgrade nearly 80 percent of its stores over the next five years. The new design is based on feedback from customers, which allows the store to emphasize what is most important to customers in a particular community.

That meant that while an average store similar in size to the one in Titusville might have six to 10 motorized shopping carts, there will be at least 20 on hand in Titusville based on customer response.

The pharmacy also is moving nearer to the store's entrance to provide customers with easier access.

"We are excited to bring an improved shopping experience to our customers," said Mitch Day, store manager at the Titusville store, 3175 Cheney Highway.

That means a cleaner and brighter interior, as well as wider aisles. It also means low-profile shelving and easier-to-read signage. The company declined to say how much the renovations cost.

As of the start of 2010, more than 30 percent of the 3,538 U.S. Walmarts had gone through Project Impact remodels.

Work in Titusville began two weeks ago and is scheduled to be finished in June. Sixty workers were hired.

To make it more convenient for customers, the majority of the work is taking place at night. Still, there is no getting around the minor inconveniences of shopping in the middle of a remodel. Lines are a little longer and with missing signage, more than a few shoppers had trouble locating one of the store's two restrooms.

"Right now it's one big mess," said John Stuccaio, 73, of Titusville, as he left after some shopping. "But it's going to be nice after they complete the remodeling. I can wait."

Steven Laclair, 58, of Titusville, said he walked over to the store recently after being out of town and was surprised to see all the work taking place. As busy as the store is, he doesn't understand why the company would sink more money in.

"I guess as long as it produces more sales, it's good for the company," Laclair said, "But to me it seems like a waste of money."

Other Walmarts getting upgrades include stores in Palm Bay, beachside Melbourne and West Melbourne.

Contact Price at 242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com.