Major Remodeling, Expansion Planned For 15 PA Walmart Stores

Walmart is significantly expanding their operations in Pennsylvania.

Walmart expects to spend an estimated $83 million this year in Pennsylvania through the remodeling, relocation or expansion of 15 stores, as well as the launch and continued expansion of several customer-focused innovations.

Walmart plans to remodel stores in the following locations:

• 1675 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
• 9745 Roosevelt Blvd., Suite A, Philadelphia
• 195 N. West End Blvd., Quakertown
• 2600 Plank Road Commons, Altoona
• 567 Route 100 N., Bechtelsville
• 50 Foster Brook Blvd., Bradford
• 100 Supercenter Drive, Clearfield
• 300 Walmart Drive, Ebensburg
• 1825 Downs Drive, Erie
• 1800 Tilden Ridge, Hamburg
• 495 Eisenhower Drive in Hanover
• 5741 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek
• 167 Hogan Blvd., Mill Hall
• 1102 Million Dollar Highway, Saint Marys
• 6535 Grayson Road, Swatara

Walmart says it will also continue to innovate to help customers save time and money by creating a "seamless shopping experience that gives them the options to shop when, where and how they want."

The following are examples of the customer-focused innovations that will be expanded this year in the Keystone State.

Grocery Pickup

Walmart plans to expand the popular program to 43 stores across the state by the end of the year (sites not yet determined). The company also recently introduced Walmart Voice Order, which allows customers to simply say "Hey Google, talk to Walmart" and the Google Assistant will add items directly to their Walmart Grocery cart.

Grocery Delivery

This year, Walmart plans to add the service to 34 stores, increasing its coverage area in the state (specific locations not announced).

Walmart Pickup Towers

Walmart Pickup Towers are 16-feet tall, high-tech vending machines capable of fulfilling a customer's online order in less than a minute once they arrive at the store. In 2019, Walmart plans to add 23 Pickup Towers to stores across the state.

Remodeled stores will have an entirely new look and feel, providing an "enhanced customer experience, updated appearance, and local economic stimulus," Walmart says. In general, remodeled stores will feature:

• State-of-the-art electronics departments, with interactive displays
• Updated pharmacies, with addition of private consultation rooms
• New look in hardware departments, with additional products
• New signage and flooring throughout
• Updated apparel departments
• New signage in produce, bakery and deli departments
• Fresh paint on interiors, exteriors

Specifics about local store innovations like Pickup Towers and Online Grocery Pick Up will be announced closer to their launch.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Tom Davis