Wal-Mart Breaks Out Of Its Box

After years of expanding primarily in rural and suburban locations, the giant retailer begins to adapt to more urban locations.

1 minute read

March 23, 2004, 8:00 AM PST

By Janet Boyko

Wal-Mart is following the lead of other big-box retailers, such as Target and K-Mart, adapting its form to fit into urban markets. For years, Wal-Mart focused its tremendous expansion efforts on under-served rural communities where land was inexpensive and a cookie cutter building format of a one-story building surrounding by a sea of parking fit easily into the landscape. Since expansion is critical to Wal-Mart's game plan, reaching new markets is crucial. Not an easy task for a company with already more than 4,900 stores worldwide. As Wal-Mart enters the urban arena, it faces some new challenges. "Space constraints, along with public opposition to cookie-cutter stores with drab exteriors and enormous asphalt lots, have forced Wal-Mart to design new store layouts and make other concessions to blend in with local tastes."

Thanks to Janet Boyko

FULL STORY: Wal-Mart going urban

Monday, March 22, 2004 in The Kansas City Star

Community / Economic Development United States

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.