Wal-Mart Will Have New Design

Wal-Mart Will Have New Design
Wal-Mart plans to build a Mediterranean-styl e "Supercenter" in West Des Moines near Jordan Creek mall - making it one of few uniquely designed Wal-Mart stores that will open nationally next year.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based giant is introducing four standard designs - Main Street, Cape Cod, Adirondack and urban industrial - into its lineup of traditional "battleship blue" stores, said Mia Matson, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman. Wal-Mart plans to open about 250 stores next year.

Additionally, Wal-Mart is accommodating some communities with other designs, such as Art Deco in Los Angeles and Mediterranean-styl e stores in Florida, California and other states, she said.

The market monster has long been criticized for imposing its massive blue, gray and red cookie-cutter "big boxes" on communities. Across the nation, Wal-Mart has met with opposition to new stores, including legislative efforts to impose new design and size requirements.

Matson said Wal-Mart's initiative is part of the chain's natural design evolution.

Wal-Mart's new store designs have popped up most predominantly in fast-growing, upscale neighborhoods that have pushed the retailer to better "reflect a local ambiance," said Roxanna Sway, editor in chief of DDI - Design & Display Ideas - magazine, which is based near Atlanta.

For example, a New Orleans Wal-Ma