Walmart plans $6.5 Billion expansion

Donoreo

"Walmart Canada has announced a significant $6.5 billion investment in the country over the next five years, marking the largest expansion initiative in the company’s 30-year history in the country. The investment will fund the construction of dozens of new stores, the modernization of its supply chain, and substantial investments in its workforce to better serve Canadian consumers.

As part of its expansion strategy, Walmart Canada will open dozens of new locations nationwide, with the first five Supercentres set to launch in Ontario and Alberta by 2027. "

https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2025/01/walmart-canada-to-invest-6-5-billion-in-nationwide-expansion/

Nash211

deleted

markuswarren

Yeah, hopeless mall one will be interesting, guessing they got a super deal on the area, as part of it was going to be turned into condos. the place has had a heck of a lot of empty units in it for many many years, which could be people moving out due to high rent, or the knowledge it'll be bulldozed at some point. Though I think it's going in where Target used to be, rather that the other side where Metro is located.

I'd say apart from the increased traffic, it may be a big boon for the area, as the other super center is up at dundas and trafalgar, so that's a bit far from rebecca and third line.

Thane_Bitter

Everyday not low prices. Shop around, they might sell a lot of things but don't always have the lowest price despite the jingle, smiley face, and whatever that pointy logo is suppose to be.

px_eliezer_

Thane_Bitter
Everyday not low prices. Shop around, they might sell a lot of things but don't always have the lowest price despite the jingle, smiley face, and whatever that pointy logo is suppose to be.

As they become more and more dominant, driving out competition, they can once more raise prices.

Somewhat-Reticent

Thane_Bitter Everyday not low prices.

Common in "Neighborhood Market" akin to 'convenience store'; in SuperCenter less so, eh?

urbanriot

Thane_Bitter

Everyday not low prices. Shop around, they might sell a lot of things but don't always have the lowest price despite the jingle, smiley face, and whatever that pointy logo is suppose to be.

They do not. Here in St. Catharines which is the grocery store mecca of Canada with at least 8 major chains within 5 minutes of each other and a few others on the other side of the city, Walmart is typically the last place we go for deals.

We have a Walmart here we call "getto Walmart" for more than one reason and you'd think it would be the cheapest grocery store around but it's not by a longshot. Food Basics and No Frills is way cheaper for groceries, Giant Tiger and Dollarama is cheaper for everything else. Even Canadian Tire is cheaper for a lot of things.

I feel like there was a time many ages ago, maybe back in the 70s or the 80s when you would go down south into this crazy store with all these things you couldn't get in Canada that were so cheap, we'd marvel at the low cost shirts and pants. I'm not sure if they were the first to catch on to made-in-China but I believe this was before that had caught on.

mrweather

They're opening a new store in Port Credit but I wonder where.

markuswarren

mrweather if it's possilbe, then you could have a search of planning applications online

KingB71

mrweather
have read its at Cawthra and lakeshore but not sure where exactly in that area

Thane_Bitter

It's worse than that, they basically make people poor, +80% of the stuff they sell is imported from China and yes as you say they start to kill off the competition, and then basically feed on the dying area like some sort of fungus.

"The Walmart Effect - New research suggests that the company makes the communities it operates in poorer—even taking into account its famous low prices."
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/12/walmart-prices-poverty-economy/681122/

It would be interesting to see the same lens applied to Amazon, it also imports a vast amount of stuff, and treats its workers like disposable robots.

px_eliezer_

Thane_Bitter

It's worse than that, they basically make people poor, +80% of the stuff they sell is imported from China and yes as you say they start to kill off the competition, and then basically feed on the dying area like some sort of fungus.

If you'vce never seen a Jib-Jab video, prepare to enjoy it.
This is from 17 years ago, makes me feel really old now.

"JibJab - Big Box Mart"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKv6RcXa2UI

Guy54435

px_eliezer_ Jib-Jab blast from the past

Sparkchaser

I think I've been in Walmart's once in the last 5 years and that was to use the bathroom. 😉

I have the same feelings about Amazon but I have a hard time not dealing with them. There are a lot of things that are not available locally. I have reduced orders to about once a month.

FrathosCAN

Hmmm, since you guys are talking about Walmart, it occurred to me it's been so long since I went to one that I can't even remember when that was & it could easily be at least 10 years now.

The last one I remember going to by car was the one at Lawrence Ave & Keele St. I live in downtown Toronto and therefore typically don't shop at Walmart because there isn't one that is in walking distance which is how I mostly do my shopping.

Dks01

Why invest in Canada? Simple. With tariffs in place, it's cheaper to import directly from China. No America for you!

urbanriot

Dks01

With tariffs in place, it's cheaper to import directly from China.

A large amount of goods we import from China travels through the United States so I'm curious how that will work. The Chinese goods sold at Walmart in Canada come from the United States. The majority of Chinese goods sold at Walmart in the United States come from the United States as well. (China -> US distributer -> Walmart US -> Walmart Canada)

Dks01

urbanriot supply channels will change.

DueSouth

Dks01 Not quickly or easily. Canada does not have the supply chain infrastructure to support this. We have built everything around the US infrastructure because is it cheaper for us and more effective. Unions, government roadblocks and labour costs in Canada will make this difficult to implement.

Astyanax

DueSouth Walmart makes $1.5 billion a day so this piddly $6 billion investment is less than a week's pay for them. They're anticipating prices to go way up in Canada due to the tariffs making Walmart Canada much more competitive than they have been by importing directly to the country. Walmart can afford to help build whatever infrastructure they may need to support their expansion.

Here's also probably the biggest reason why they're expanding in Canada: Tariffs don't apply to intracompany goods transfers. Walmart Canada can import all their USA inventory through Canada (or at least as much as they can) and transport it over the border tariff-free between Walmart distribution centers.

DueSouth

Astyanax Walmart is not the problem. They would build it if they could, but it will be blocked by the same forces that blocked the Energy East pipeline. Canada does not want large companies to be successful, especially American companies, and especially if it means building massive infrastructure that will drive up carbon emissions. Something about a nose and a face.

Dks01

Astyanax It will be interesting to see if that actually applies. This is a tariff war. All bets are off. Your gas will go up in price. So will your grocery bill. And your new car? It will go up, too. And that’s just the beginning.