Walmart opens new stores – but not to the public. Here's why.
Walmart is testing some new stores, but you won't be able to shop there.
These new "dark stores" are being tested as a better way to fulfill online orders and are not open to the public. Inside, the stores – the first of which opened recently in Dallas – resemble a typical Walmart store. However, there's no signage, as customers cannot come in, a person knowledgeable about the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY.
The stores do not have Walmart signage, but inside the store has many of the most popular products ordered online by customers, as a way to speed up online order fulfillment, the person told USA TODAY.
JCPenney closing warehouse, laying off nearly 300 workers
Another "dark store" is in the works for Bentonville, Arkansas, the home of the retailer's corporate headquarters, according to Bloomberg, which cited persons familiar with the development in its June 24 story. Walmart is experimenting with the miniature distribution centers to more quickly fill orders from customers who are paying more to get items faster, reported KFSM-TV 5 in Springdale, Arkansas.
"We regularly test new tools, features, and capabilities to better connect with and serve our customers – wherever and however they choose to shop," Walmart said Friday, June 27, in a statement to USA TODAY. "Regardless of the channel, our goal remains the same: to deliver a fast, seamless, and engaging customer experience."
How to cancel that subscription: Why more Americans are dumping monthly payments
The retailer launched its Walmart+ subscription service in 2020 – with unlimited free delivery from stores (on orders $35 or more) – in a move to challenge Amazon Prime. The subscription is priced at $12.95 per month or $98 annually. You can get Walmart+ Assist for $6.47 monthly/$49 annually if you are getting government assistance, including SNAP, WIC and Medicaid.
Amazon Prime, which launched in 2005, had a head start on Walmart+ and has grown to an estimated 186.3 million users in the U.S., up from 171 million in 2022, according to eMarketer, a market research company. Walmart+ has an estimated 34.7 million users, up from 26.5 million in 2022, according to eMarketer.
Walmart uses AI, augmented reality and more drones
In other developments, Walmart on June 24 began rolling out a suite of artificial intelligence tools to help store associates with a real-time multilingual translation feature to help communicate with customers and an augmented reality tool to make it easier to find items within the store.
This expansion in AI and augmented reality came two weeks after Walmart announced plans to expand its drone delivery service to five more major U.S. cities beyond Dallas and Bentonville, Arkansas.
Contributing: Kasey Caminiti, Natalie Neysa Alund and Kathryn Palmer
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Dual taxation refers to a situation in which an individual is taxed on the same income, assets, or capital gains by two or more countries. This typically arises when: A person holds citizenship in one country but resides or earns income in another but Both countries have the authority to tax global income Tax treaties fail to eliminate redundancy or apply only partial credits While tax treaties exist to mitigate these issues, they are often complex, ineffective, or filled with exemptions that still leave citizens overexposed to global tax burdens. Section I: The U.S. Tax Trap—Why Americans Lead in Renunciation The United States remains the only developed country that imposes citizenship-based taxation, meaning all U.S. citizens are required to file and potentially pay taxes on their worldwide income, regardless of their place of residence. U.S. Citizens Abroad Must: File annual IRS tax returns (Form 1040) Submit FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Reports) if foreign accounts exceed $10,000 (Foreign Bank Account Reports) if foreign accounts exceed $10,000 Report foreign investments via FATCA (Form 8938) (Form 8938) Face double reporting with foreign financial institutions forced to comply under FATCA Record-Breaking Renunciations In 2024, the U.S. saw over 10,500 individuals officially give up their citizenship—a number driven not by politics but by tax exhaustion. Many cited the high cost of compliance, punitive exit taxes, and the global reach of U.S. taxation as unsustainable. 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Saint Kitts and Nevis Passport issued in 90 days No global income tax Full confidentiality for offshore holdings Section V: Case Studies in Strategic Renunciation Case Study 1: Crypto Wealth and Caribbean Reinvention An early Bitcoin investor based in California relocated to the UAE in 2022. After consulting Amicus, he renounced U.S. citizenship in 2024 and acquired Saint Kitts citizenship. By 2025, he was fully non-resident, held no tax obligations to the U.S., and legally realized token gains via offshore trusts. Case Study 2: The Consultant Who Outgrew the IRS A Canadian-American strategy consultant living in Germany found herself filing returns in three countries—each claiming taxing rights. After renouncing U.S. citizenship in Frankfurt, she streamlined her tax exposure and relocated to Portugal under the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) program. Her annual tax advisory bill dropped by 75%. Case Study 3: Dual Taxed and Denied An Indian national working remotely in Dubai continued facing tax scrutiny from Indian authorities over U.S. stock dividends. After giving up Indian citizenship and securing Grenadian CBI status, he legally shifted his financial center of gravity and opened new offshore accounts without fear of dual reporting or seizure. Section VI: Common Misconceptions Misconception Reality 'I'll become stateless' Most people secure second citizenship before renouncing 'Renunciation eliminates past taxes' You must still file and pay prior obligations before exit 'My bank will block me' New citizenship often expands financial options, not shrinks them 'It's illegal to avoid tax' Legal tax minimization via renunciation is 100% compliant with law Section VII: The Role of Amicus International Consulting Amicus provides expert legal and financial advisory for those seeking to escape dual taxation through legal channels: U.S. citizenship renunciation support Second citizenship planning and acquisition Asset protection pre-exit via offshore trusts Exit tax mitigation Banking passport solutions CRS/FATCA detachment strategies We do not engage in tax evasion. All services are structured around legal transparency, cross-jurisdictional protection, and long-term asset security. Why Timing Matters Renunciation isn't a quick fix—it's a strategic transition that must be executed with precision. Acting in the wrong tax year, renouncing before securing alternative banking, or failing to comply with prior reporting can trigger audits, fines, or even international asset freezes. Conclusion: The Price of Freedom—or the Cost of Staying? In 2025, citizenship is no longer a static identity—it is a financial choice. For many, staying tied to countries with expansive, outdated, or punitive tax systems is simply too costly. By legally renouncing citizenship and choosing a more efficient jurisdiction, individuals are reclaiming control over their wealth, privacy, and global mobility. If dual taxation is draining your financial freedom, renunciation may be the smartest investment you'll ever make. 📞 Contact InformationPhone: +1 (604) 200-5402Email: info@ Website:
