Walmart Canada spending $500 million to modernize stores

Walmart Canada is investing $500 million this year to modernize its stores.

The big-box retailer announced Monday that it was refurbishing and refreshing stores across the country as it continues to look for ways to improve customer service.

Walmart Canada said upgrades would be made in more than 60% of its stores, including enhanced lighting and signage at its Supercentre locations; improved picking space for online orders at some of its highest e-commerce volume stores; and revamped sales floor layouts in select stores.

Additionally, the retailer will open the doors to its first automated fulfilment centre inside the Scarborough West Walmart Supercentre, and convert its Calgary Northland Walmart and the Kitchener Walmart to Supercentres.

"We are on a mission to modernize all aspects of our business and that includes our stores," said Horacio Barbeito, president and CEO of Walmart Canada, in a press release. "Investing in our stores is a major priority. In so many cases our stores are pillars in the community, and we want them at their best – especially as we serve our customers in more omnichannel ways."

As part of the announcement, Walmart Canada also said it would be closing six stores: three in Ontario, two in Alberta and one in Newfoundland and Labrador.

News of the makeovers build on the big-box retailer's $3.5-billion investment over the next five years to improve the online and in-store shopping experience.