Walmart Inc. will make a major store renovation push across the state in 2019, and Central Florida will get a piece of that.
The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer (NYSE: WMT) announced it will invest $173 million into updating Florida Walmart locations over the year, including 11 in metro Orlando. Those changes include several tech upgrades such an autonomous shelf scanning machine for 32 stores and 36 pickup towers, which are vending machines that can fill customer orders in-store.
Other new concepts include curbside grocery pickup being added at 72 stores and grocery delivery being added at 63 locations. Walmart joins other retailers such as Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. (Nasdaq: SFM) and Niwot, Colorado-based Lucky’s Market who have started home delivery services in the Orlando area.