Walmart is going full Amazon mode with a bold new strategy, launching “dark stores” that aren’t open to the public but are packed with your favorite products.
These new warehouse-style formats are being tested right now in Dallas, Texas, and Bentonville, Arkansas, and they’re set to change how fast you get your stuff delivered. Think of them like ghost stores working silently in the background just to speed up online orders.
Unlike your typical Walmart, these locations won’t have shopping carts or checkout lines. You can’t walk in, browse, or snag a last-minute snack. But what they do offer is serious logistical power. By acting solely as fulfillment centers, these dark stores will help Walmart get packages to your door in under three hours, yes, seriously. The retailer says it aims to reach 95% of the U.S. population with this ultra-fast delivery setup, and already, the number of orders arriving in three hours or less has jumped by 91% compared to last year’s numbers.
This copycat move follows Amazon’s long-standing use of warehouse-only locations and is part of Walmart’s bigger push into the future of e-commerce. In fact, the company recently celebrated hitting e-commerce profitability for the first time in Q1 2025, with CEO Doug McMillion calling the dark store move an “important milestone.”
And it’s not just about delivery speed. Walmart’s CFO, John Rainey, confirmed the retailer’s delivery costs are actually going down thanks to smarter fulfillment tactics like these. Shoppers can even pay extra for faster delivery if they’re in a rush. Add in drone technology, something Walmart’s already using to drop orders from the sky, and this dark store model starts looking like a major game changer.
So, what exactly can you get from these ghost-like locations? The stores are loaded with fan-favorite items, your everyday essentials, snacks, household staples, and more. But here’s the twist: you’ll never set foot in them. They work silently in the background to make your online orders arrive faster, cheaper, and smoother.
The company says they’re “regularly testing new tools, features, and capabilities” to better connect with shoppers. That includes dark stores but also includes tech pilots like scan-and-go features and automation tools to streamline operations. The goal? A faster, more seamless experience no matter how you shop, whether it’s in-store, online, or via delivery.
Of course, the shift to tech-heavy retail comes with job cuts. Walmart recently laid off 1,500 workers across its retail and global tech teams as part of a broader effort to become leaner and more efficient. It’s a sign that while the chain is moving full speed into digital territory, it’s doing so with fewer people involved.
Still, the numbers speak for themselves. Walmart is riding high with $165.6 billion in revenue this year alone, marking a 2.5% year-over-year increase. While tariffs remain a wildcard, the company says it’s better positioned than most to handle rising costs. That means the dark store model might not just be a test, it could soon become a major part of how Walmart gets products into homes across the country.
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