It’s happening folks, the nation’s largest retailer, Walmart, is coming to VCU Campus with a 4,100 square foot location and about 10 ‘associate’ jobs.
It’s happening folks, the nation’s largest retailer, Walmart, is coming to VCU Campus with a 4,100 square foot location and about 10 ‘associate’ jobs.
“VCU is excited that our students will enjoy the convenience and low prices the Walmart on Campus will offer,” Diane Reynolds, assistant vice president for business services at VCU, said. “With its product mix, pharmacy and services, this is a great addition to retail growth on and around campus that meets the needs of students, faculty, staff and surrounding neighborhoods.”
The new Walmart is part of the company’s Walmart on Campus program. Other colleges involved in the Walmart on Campus include: University of Arkansas, Arizona State University, Georgia Tech and the University of Missouri.
“We are thrilled to bring one of our campus stores to VCU,” Walmart director of public affairs Brooke Mueller said in a statement. “We continue to find new ways to make shopping more convenient for our customers, and they have been very enthusiastic about this format.”
The expansion into college campuses is part of a new push by Walmart to open smaller locations in densely located areas where their is an obvious need for low-cost shit.
The Huffington Post reported on this new business model back in early 2013 when the “campus Walmarts” were firs announced, with Georgia Tech as the flag ship model:
The Walmarts on campus will have pharmacy services, basic groceries, general merchandise, check cashing and bill paying services. The UA location replaces a university-run pharmacy, Advertising Age reports.
According to the Dow Jones Newswires, the Georgia Tech location will be between 2,500 and 5,000 square feet, drastically smaller than the average 185,000 square feet at Super Walmart stores. The UA spot is 10,000 square feet.
The Georgia Tech store will be the smallest Walmart in the country, NBC News noted. (By the way, Walmart president and CEO Mike Duke is a Georgia Tech alum.)
AdAge reports Walmart may be using these smaller versions as a way to get around zoning restrictions which have kept them out of major urban areas, such as New York City.
It sounds like these new campus Walmarts will be like 7-11’s with pharmacies in them.
How do you all feel about a Walmart being opened on VCU Campus? Let us know in the comments below.
