Wal-Mart opens new urban prototype

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has opened the doors to its first smaller-concept, urban supercenter in Tampa, Fla. The 99,000-sq.-ft. prototype uses deeper shelving and higher gondolas to retain a deep product assortment despite its smaller size than a typical Wal-Mart supercenter. The Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer also stocked the store with a vast assortment of products geared toward the Hispanic consumer, including magazines, greeting cards and especially consumables. In the urban prototype, the pharmacy and health and beauty sections are repositioned at the front of the store, near the entrance.