Adding strength to its already prodigious footprint, Walmart is bringing another distribution center to its fold. The company has unveiled plans to erect a new facility across the street from a current one already established in Bentonville, Arkansas.
"We have decided to build a new distribution center here in the area to increase our logistics capacity and capabilities in this market," Director of Communications Anne Hatfield said. "[Northwest Arkansas] continues to be an attractive location for supporting our distribution needs in the Midwest."
The retailer will boost its distribution with a proposed total of 1.27-million-square-feet of space; with 1,03-million-square-feet of warehouse space, 216,000-square-feet for shipping, and 16,037-square-feet for office space. According to the Arkansas Online, Walmart submitted a large-scale development proposal to the city last month, calling the plans “Project Maple.”
Hatfield also stated that it was too early to declare a timeline or number of employees the retailer is expecting.
The proposal also makes room for a future expansion of 229,000-square-feet of warehouse space. The 119.77-acre plot across from the existing 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center is currently owned by Ft Scott Property LLC, which purchased the plot in 2013 for $2.63 million.
As of this time, Walmart has 147 distribution centers strategically located throughout the U.S.
How will this new distribution center look to further Walmart’s fresh offerings and current buy-side status? Deli Market News will report.
