Walmart Canada is investing $1 billion in infrastructure this year as part of the retailer’s efforts to speed up and transform the business for its customers.
A cornerstone of the investment includes more than $100 million to build a new high-tech sortable fulfillment centre near Montreal in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec. The new facility, currently slated to open in 2024, will offer better product availability and quicker service for customers choosing to shop in-store or online at Walmart.ca.
This year’s $1 billion investment also includes plans to update and remodel a record number of stores in a year. Store changes include modernizing and upgrading physical spaces with a focus on improving the customer experience both in-store and online.
These projects are all part of Walmart Canada’s multi-year $3.5 billion investment to make the online and in-store shopping experience simpler, faster and more convenient for customers as the retailer invests in continued growth to help more Canadians save money and live better.
Quebec fulfillment centre will be…
- Located in Vaudreuil-Dorion, will be approximately 457,000 square feet in size, serving as a delivery hub for customer orders in Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
- Powered by cutting-edge logistics technology
- The platform aims to speed up order fulfillment through an advanced operating system that will help associates store, pick and sort items by using smart and flexible storage abilities.
- Capable of shipping 20 million items annually from the facility to local customers.
- Capable of storing 500,000 items to fulfil direct-to-home and in-store pickup orders.
- Designed to optimize packaging, minimize waste and reduce transportation costs.
- Create approximately 225 new jobs in Quebec, plus construction and engineering jobs.
“This important investment is the latest example of Walmart’s commitment to Quebec,” said Cyrille Ballereau, Walmart Canada regional vice president for Quebec. “We are investing for growth in Quebec and creating jobs for Quebecers to better serve our customers. Quebecers will see refreshed stores, faster service and more options available in-store and online. When Quebecers choose Walmart, they are choosing to support a retailer that supports Quebecers.”
Investing in stores, and supply chain across Canada
This year’s infrastructure investments include plans to spend approximately $330 million to revamp and refresh more than 80 stores from Port Alberni, B.C., to Carbonear, N.L., providing more than 2,500 trade and construction jobs. Some of the enhancements include:
- Expanding product assortment and offering an upgraded look and feel.
- Integrating more dedicated omnichannel spaces for more online orders.
- Refreshing interiors and exteriors, including fresh paint and new signage.
- Adding LED lighting to key departments to enhance the interior experience.
- Updating associate lounge areas, including new couches and other upgrades.
- Renovating washroom areas, including new tiling and sustainability features.
- Replacing and upgrading legacy systems with new technology and applications.
