I shopped at the new Forest and Audelia Walmart for the first time this past weekend. Neighborhood blogger Carol Toler gave it a good overview in her VIP preview party post. Shopping the day after Black Friday, a couple of things struck me about the new store.
First, Walmart has a new look — in fact, it’s no longer Wal-Mart but Walmart. And the smiley faces and "rolling back prices" signs are gone, replaced by sunbursts and "unbeatable prices" signs. Graphic design blog shows the difference between the store’s new and old logos, and the store’s website details the evolution of the logo.
The website also has a press release about grand re-openings of stores in Rogers and Fayetteville, Ark., where the company is based, which were the first two to showcase Walmart’s new logo and layout. The press release details the explanation behind the new layout, upon which the Lake Highlands store was based.
Also, despite the facelift and rebranding, it’s still Walmart (even if it’s no longer Wal-Mart). Expect the shelves to be stocked with plenty of popular-selling items at discount rates, and expect a no-frills approach to the merchandise. In other words, if you’re looking for fashionable home decor at reasonable prices, it’s best to head to Target.
