A vastly improved Walmart New Albany showed off its new look at Grand Reopening

Walmart will be spending over 9 billion dollars in 2024 and 2025 to renovate over 1400 stores nationwide.  Thirty six of those stores will be in Mississippi. New Albany and Pontotoc are among the 20 being done in 2024; 16 more will be renovated in 2025.

For those of us who have persevered shopping at Walmart during its extensive renovations, the November 1 “Grand Reopening” was a welcome date. Though still not quite complete, the stores renovations promise a much improved shopping experience here in New Albany. I arrived in the late afternoon – well after what I understand was a tumultuous official “Grand Reopening” experience.

The immediate impression is of a store that seems much larger than it was several months ago. The paint is fresh, aisles are wider, floors are shinier, lighting is better and signage is improved. There is a new pharmacy layout with added private space for individual customer services, as well as an enlarged waiting area.  Additionally, Walmart says there will be an increased number of products in multiple departments, including grocery, hardware, health and beauty, home, pets, pharmacy, sporting goods and more.

Wider Aisles & Shiny Floors

Helpful Aisle information signs

Large signs help to define merchandise sections.

Improved lighting throughout store

For months, the shopping experience here has been a very frustrating “fruit basket turn over” experience. Even the employees sometimes couldn’t help. It was not at all unusual for another customer to ask where I had found this or that item they spotted in my cart. A few weeks ago, a checkout clerk voluntarily dashed away to find something I was unable to locate. She was gone so long that I began to think she and Elvis had left the building. However, she finally returned with the item saying, “It’s no wonder you couldn’t find it. It was pretty well hidden.” I appreciated her initiative. And, I must add that I’m sure customers’ shopping frustrations during the past months cannot compare with what Walmart’s employees have been through.

Today, I had a very short list, including a box of Bisquick, which I had not been able to find on two previous trips. Nor could I find it today. However, I decided to test out the accuracy of the improved aisle numbering system.  I pulled out my phone, called up the New Albany Walmart website and typed in “Bisquick’. It said I would find in on aisle A-14…and, indeed, I did!  Hint: it is not with the flour, sugar and other “baking” supplies.

I didn’t spot the new shopping carts that have been mentioned in Walmart’s published information about the national renovations. Nor did I check on the remodeled bathrooms, new “grab & go” lunch and deli items, or the new dollar section that may be included. The renovation is to be finished “this month,” according to posted signs. But I’ve already seen vast improvement; anything else will just be icing on the cake.