The Walmart Neighborhood Market is beginning to show signs of growth with the Greer Plaza facade and parking lot getting a complete makeover. A $2.4 million upfit for the former Winn-Dixie store will begin after the facade and parking lot are completed.
The Greer Plaza parking lot is getting a complete makeover with landscaped islands and improved lighting.
The upfit will follow the $768,500 façade facelift that is ongoing and a new parking lot upgrade complete with landscaped islands and upgraded lighting. The opening date remains in the first quarter of 2013.
The former Winn-Dixie at 805 Wade Hampton Blvd. will be the site for the 48,881 square foot Neighborhood Market. The Market will bring about 100 new jobs to Greer and will be open 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Walmart ranks as the nation’s largest grocer and reportedly generates more than half of its revenue from grocery sales. The Neighborhood Market is a tool to move into vacant storefronts, preferably dark grocery stores to sell its food products. The Walmart Superstores will continue to offer its food products. A Walmart spokesperson said products are not removed from shelves to accommodate another store.
The store will carry a full line of groceries, including fresh produce, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, and organic items. A deli will offer hot rotisserie chicken, a wide variety of meats, cheeses and freshly prepared foods. Customers can pick up cakes and freshly made bread in the bakery.
The Market will have a pharmacy, selection of health-related products and a health and beauty area. Separate areas will have stationery, paper goods, pet products and hardware items.
The first Neighborhood Market in Georgia opened in June in Lawrenceville as the company is aggressively introducing its brand to states or adding additional markets. The Lawrenceville store occupies a former Public location.
The first Walmart Neighborhood Market opened in 1998 in Bentonville, Ark. Eight new stores opened in June bringing the total number of this type Walmart store to nearly 200.
The company reports each Walmart Discount store occupies about 108,000 square feet and employs 225 workers. The average Walmart Supercenter is about 185,000 square feet and employs 350 or more people. The Greer Walmart Supercenter sees an average of 55,000 visitors each month.