Walmart dismisses reports claiming closure of 11 stores
Walmart
has confirmed it will not be closing any stores in 2025. The clarification comes from the US-based retailer after recent contradicting reports claimed that the company is planning to shut down at least 11 stores across multiple locations in the country.
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As per the rumours, Walmart was planning to close stores in Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, Wisconsin, Colorado, and California. The company later clarified that in reality, those 11 stores were shut down in 2024 as part of a broader network adjustment. In January 2024, Walmart US CEO
John Furner
explained that the closures coincided with a commitment to 'build or convert 150 new stores over the next several years,' an effort already underway with openings in Charlotte, North Carolina; Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; and Atlanta, Georgia.
The clarification comes after the retailer unveiled its first new Supercenter in over four years in the Houston area and has additional Supercenters planned for California, Utah, Alabama, and Florida in 2025.
What Walmart said about the reports claiming store closure
In a statement to Fast Company, a Walmart spokesperson said:
'There are no current plans to close any stores in 2025. The erroneous claim originated from a late March US Mirror story, and that article was updated following our call to the editors for a correction.
Unfortunately, other outlets have incorrectly reported the store closures without checking with our team, leading us to seek corrections from them as well.'
According to a report by USA Today, Walmart is remodeling 650 existing stores as part of its investment in 'stores of the future,' featuring wider aisles, larger and more 'bolder' signage and displays, along with enhanced online delivery and pickup capabilities to handle digital orders.
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The US-based retail major also plans to open or renovate over 45 fuel stations in the country this year, extending its network of more than 400 locations across 34 states.
Walmart is also expected to release its fiscal first-quarter 2026 earnings next month, ahead of the stock market open on May 15.
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