After 10 weeks of remodeling, the Fulton Walmart Supercenter at 1701 N. Bluff St. will celebrate a grand re-opening to be unveiled at 8 a.m. today.
The improvements include a new layout, bright interior paint scheme, enhanced lighting, and easy-to-read signage to make the shopping experience more convenient.
"We listened to our customers and have redesigned the store to make shopping at Walmart even easier," said Tony Loehr, Fulton Walmart manager.
During Friday's re-opening ceremony, Walmart grant checks will be presented to the Fulton Police Department and the Fulton Parks and Recreation Department.
The Fulton High School Choir will perform the National Anthem during the ceremony. Pastor Mark Kummer of the Callaway Christian Church in Fulton will offer the invocation.
Loehr said the Fulton Walmart Pharmacy Department has almost doubled in size and offers expanded service to customers. He said Walmart aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently, making it quicker to purchase everyday items.
"The new layout is easier to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for necessities," Loehr said. "Some of the aisles are wider to make foot traffic flow smoother."
Customers will notice a bright interior paint scheme and enhanced lighting to create a more inviting shopping experience and help define the store's merchandise areas.
"It is a sky blue and mustard green color scheme," Loehr said.
New signs will help customers find the products they are seeking.
One new feature is an expanded Electronics Department featuring a wide selection of the latest consumer electronics and home entertainment.
"The much larger Electronics Department is the biggest change customers will notice in the store," Loehr said.
The redesigned department permits more hands-on experience for customers. Interactive displays are available for high-definition Blu-ray, video-gaming and portable electronics. The interactive experience allows shoppers to test new technology.
In the Grocery Department, a gluten-free section has been added.
"We have done a little reorganization of the grocery department. We did our best not to change too much, because we want to keep it as familiar as possible to our regular customers," Loehr said.
A new party supplies department known as Celebration Station has been added. It features a variety of party items, including greeting cards, balloons, helium tanks, cake supplies and gift wrap.
Walmart is rolling out the new design at several stores around the nation. The retailer will bring the new look to about 80 percent of the existing stores through an aggressive remodeling program during the next few years.