The Arkansas-based retailer currently is seeking county permits to move forward with plans to add more than 100,000 sf to its existing 103,000-sf store on Bethel Road. Amy Hill, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman, says there are several issues to be hashed out, including traffic and noise, but she expects an agreement will be reached soon.
Hill says if all goes well, Wal-Mart is expected to break ground next spring and complete the project by 2004. Supercenter's typically run between 100,000 sf and 210,00 sf and along with a general merchandise department store, include a full line of groceries, a bakery and a deli.
Two years ago Wal-Mart purchased the eight-acre parcel adjacent to the Bethel Road store for the purposes of expansion. The company bought the property from Bainbridge Island, Wash.-based Central Retail Services for $910,000.
Wal-Mart announced earlier this month the continuation of its aggressive unit growth for the fiscal year beginning Feb. 1, 2003. Domestically, the Wal-Mart division plans to open about 45 to 55 new discount stores and 200 to 210 new Supercenters, like the one to be constructed here. The company says this represents a continued acceleration of Supercenter unit expansion and reflects the strong consumer acceptance and financial results from the format.
Relocations or expansions of existing discount stores will account for approximately 140 of the Supercenters, while the remainder will be built in new locations. Wal-Mart plans to continue front loading the timing of openings as started two years ago and plans to open 85% to 90% by the end of the third quarter.
Wal-Mart International plans to open 120 to 130 units in existing markets. The announced units include two restaurant formats, specialty apparel retail stores and supermarkets in Mexico.
The planned square footage growth for the coming year represents approximately 48 million sf of new retail space, and represents more than an 8% increase over the fiscal 2003 total.
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