Walmart Expands Plans for Express Format

Walmart Stores Inc. (Bentonville, Ark.) says its planning to add hundreds of its Express concept stores to its chain, says Bill Simon, the company's U.S. president, reports The Wall Street Journal. Initially, the company forecast up to 40 outlets.

The Walmart Express will average 15,000 square feet compared to its Supercenters, which average 185,000 square feet.

The smaller locations are expected to open in the second quarter of 2011 in urban and rural locations. “We are going to be adding hundreds of these in the coming years, and maybe more, depending on how these work out,” Simon told a Bank of America investor conference.

The company also announced a new program called “Pick Up Today,” which allows customers to purchase items online and pick them up in stores. The program is available in 750 stores and will be expanded to nearly 3600 locations by June.