# Big-Box Convenience Shops 'Walmart To Go' is the Brand's Take on the Convenience Store Format By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-01-21 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-to-go References: [retaildesignblog.net](http://retaildesignblog.net/2015/05/12/walmart-to-go-store-by-api-bentonville-arkansas/) & [grocery.walmart](http://grocery.walmart.com/usd-estore/m/home/anonymouslanding.jsp) [Walmart](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-store-of-the-future) is typically thought of as a big-box store where it's possible to purchase just about everything under the sun—but the retailer is now moving into a new territory with Walmart To Go. This is a new [convenience store prototype](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/familymart-announced) for the brand that condenses the assortment of groceries and [freshly prepared foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trader-joes-pronto) with other products that are typically found in convenience stores. In 2015, this design was recognized by the Association for Retail Environments as a gold award winner in the convenience store category. From the loft-like interior detailing and the subtle "W" shaping of the columns at the adjacent gas station, there are dozens of clever design decisions to support this prototype as a winner. The first small-format Walmart is now open in the brand's hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 63% | Activity: 52% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Small-format Retail:** The rise of small-format retail stores like Walmart To Go presents an opportunity for retailers to offer more convenience and personalized experiences to consumers. - **Convenience Store Innovation:** The success of Walmart To Go's convenience store prototype highlights an opportunity for retailers to innovate and improve the convenience store format through unique design and product offerings. - **Grocery Retail Consolidation:** The consolidation of grocery and convenience retail spaces in stores like Walmart To Go reflect an opportunity for retailers to streamline operations and offer a wider range of products to customers. ### Who This Affects Most - **Retail Industry:** The growth of small-format retail and convenience store innovation present opportunities for retailers to expand their offerings and improve the customer experience. - **Grocery Industry:** Grocery retailers can benefit from consolidation of retail spaces and streamlined operations, as seen in the design of Walmart To Go, to potentially increase profits and enhance customer satisfaction. - **Food Service Industry:** By merging the convenience store format with freshly-prepared food offerings, retailers like Walmart To Go create opportunities for the food service industry to expand their reach and create new revenue streams. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Future-Focused Big Box Retailers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-store-of-the-future.md) - [Virtual Convenience Store Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aldi-4.md) - [Small-Format Grocery Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-smallformat-stores.md) - [Fulfillment-Only Retail Locations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-dark-stores.md) - [Approachable Retailer Branding Updates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-brand-refresh.md) - [Sustainability-Focused Retail Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-canada-supercenter.md) - [Text-to-Shop Retail Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-text-to-shop.md) - [Text-Based Shopping Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-4.md) - [Elevated Private Food Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bettergoods.md)