Millcreek Walmart less cluttered, more categorized

MILLCREEK — Clutter: out. Space: in.

The new look of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. emphasizes lower shelves, wider aisles and in some departments less merchandise.

The ideas was to create an "easier shopping experience," said Jeni Dixon, a day shift manager at the Supercenter at 4627 S. 900 East, the first store in Utah with the new design, after a ribbon cutting for the store's remodel Wednesday. "They don't have the clutter. A lot of aisles are categorized. We have the breakfast aisle, the snacks aisle."

Before the remodel, Store No. 5350 in Millcreek had cereal, oatmeal and baking in one aisle and coffee and tea in a separate aisle. "Now it's joined together," Dixon said.

Holladay resident Darrell Clevenger likes having more space to shop, but is still getting used to the new layout. "They've moved everything around," he said. "I had to find everything again."

Ivory-colored shelves are now silver and shorter, allowing people to see other departments and overhead signs.

Before the remodel, the store arranged merchandise on tables and shelves in the middle of some of the wider aisles. The tables and shelves are now gone, creating more walking space.

The dairy department of Store No. 5350 was expanded and more products are on display. Also expanded was the electronics department.

Five years ago, few people had GPS devices, MP3 players, Blu-ray disc players or plasma LCD TVs. Walmart's electronics departments had to get bigger to display all the gadgets.

To make room for the expanded dairy and electronics departments, merchandise in the apparel department was scaled back. People always need socks, underwear and jeans, Dixon said, but there are not as many T-shirts. People are not necessarily buying the "newest style," she said. "We have reduced racks in apparel and infants."

Another change to the apparel department is "even price-pointing," Dixon said. For instance, an item that once cost $9.99 is now an even $10. That helps people quickly add up the clothes in their shopping cards.

"It's easier for customers to budget," Dixon said, adding that at a time of recession, people stick to their budgets more importantly than ever.

Other departments have been rearranged, too. Stationary used to be near jewelry. Now it's in a "celebrations" department with party cups and plates, and wedding supplies.

The produce department feels brighter with new track lighting. And awnings and signs over the bakery and in-store deli are supposed to create a home-town feel, Dixon said.

Stores get remodeled about every five years, and eventually all 40 Walmarts in Utah will have the new look, said Kyle Rigby, the Millcreek store manager.

Ginger Glauser of Millcreek likes the lower shelves and the new flooring in the apparel department.

"I come here all the time," she said. "I've been here through the transition. It looks nicer and newer."

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