Walmart Announces 2-Year, $75M NJ Investment as Supercenter Reopens

On Aug 18, 2023

The Walmart Supercenter at 400 Park Place in Secaucus celebrated its grand reopening today.

The remodeling is part of Walmart’s investing more than $75 million over two years to update and remodel 11 stores in New Jersey. In addition to the local jobs the investment supports, the store transformations will create expanded shopping options to help people save time and money, according to the company.

“I’m excited to offer New Jerseyans yet another Walmart ‘Flagship Store’ experience, adding the Secaucus store transformation to our innovative Flagship stores in Teterboro and North Bergan,” said Walmart Regional General Manager Nico Vassol. “Adding this investment to our free college for our associates through Live Better U, to sourcing $15.3 billion in products from New Jersey suppliers, to hosting free wellness events in local communities – Walmart continues to show our commitment to invest in the communities we serve here in New Jersey.”

The transformation at the Secaucus Walmart is a part of Walmart’s Signature Experience, which seeks to inspire customers and elevate their in-store experience. During the Secaucus celebration, Walmart store manager Joshua Strudl — a 24-year Walmart associate who began his career as a cashier — highlighted the store’s transformation into a ‘Flagship’ store, as well as the new interactive features now available to customers, including:

• Activated corners: Exciting displays are featured at the corners of home lines, baby, and apparel to pull customers in and help them touch, feel, and become a part of the space, allowing them to discover all that Walmart has to offer.
• Elevated departments: Transformed stores feature displays showcasing products that are out of their boxes so customers can imagine them fitting into their daily lives.
• Entertainment of the future: State-of-the-art electronics department with more demo stations for product.
• New products and categories– Expanded pet department, including selection of fresh pet food; New apparel brands like Reebok, Polo, Chaps, Sam & Libby and more; New Cosmetics lines like: Mario Badescu, By Terry, Beauty Space and Philip B.
• Reconfigured store layout – to provide more convenient access to well-shopped areas like baby food, pets, and paper products as well as an upgraded pharmacy, now at the front of the store for easier customer access.
• Vision Center: Walmart created a Vision Center experience designed around the customer that is convenient, comfortable, and affordable that offers an assortment of quality eyeglasses and sunglasses with prescription lenses.
• Improvements at checkout – Front end transformation that will speedup check out time with self-checkout lanes and staffed registers for customer convenience and includes four Walmart+ lane for easier checkout for members.
• Refreshed interior and exterior, including paint and signage for easier navigation through the store.
• Lighting enhancements: New fixtures and LED lighting throughout the store for better line of sight and easier navigation.
• Digital touchpoints: These new touchpoints located throughout the store help to communicate to customers the vast range of products and services Walmart offers online through the use of QR codes and digital screens.
  • For example, in Walmart’s Pets area, a customer may scan the QR code to find additional dog bed options, learn about Walmart’s pet insurance service options or have a 20-pound bag of kibble delivered to their door.

“This store is more than just a place to shop, it’s a community hub where people come together to connect and support each other,” said Strudl. “I’m proud of this store and each of our associates who work hard every day to serve our customers and communities in New Jersey and New York Metro area.”

According to Walmart, the company aims to help its neighbors live better by strengthening the local communities where our associates and customers live. Last year, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation donated $7.2 million in cash and in kind to communities in New Jersey and it is committed to making an enduring impact in the neighborhoods it does business.

This morning, Strudl and associates presented $11,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations, including:

• $5,000 to the Secaucus Youth Alliance
• $2,000 to the Secaucus Police Benevolent Association
• $2,000 to the Meadowlands YMCA
• $2,000 to the Secaucus Fire Department

In total, Walmart operates 35 Supercenters; 27 discount stores; and 8 Sam’s Clubs in New Jersey, in addition to three distribution centers and three fulfillment centers. The company employs 24,030 workers in the state who earn an average of $19.73 per hour. Last year, Walmart spent $15.3 billion with 1,205 New Jersey-based suppliers, supporting 98,161 jobs.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

Related Articles: