According to media reports, Bentonville, AR-based Walmart Inc. is pulling the plug on its last two pickup-only locations, one in suburban Chicago and one in Bentonville, along with several other underperforming locations.
Walmart BB #:143789 launched the concept in Bentonville in 2014, and expanded it to Metairie, LA, in 2017, and Chicago in the site of a former Dominick’s in 2019. The Louisiana location closed in 2022, and the remaining two are expected to close Feb. 17.
Walmart has invested heavily in online grocery, commanding more than 27 percent of the market share.
While growth has slowed from pandemic highs, it is still well over double-digits. Online grocery sales grew more than 16 percent according to the company’s most recent quarterly report.
Walmart has been tackling the issue of retail theft, with CEO Doug McMillion threatening to close stores that do not get it under control. The company did not comment on whether the locations being closed were experiencing unusual amounts of theft.
