Hypermart USA was a demonstrator project operated by Wal-Mart in the 1980s, which attempted to combine groceries and general merchandise under one roof at a substantial discount. The hypermart concept was modeled after French retailer Carrefour which had been operating big box stores in France and Brazil. The Texas stores were operated in partnerships with Cullum Companies, former owner of Tom Thumb supermarkets.
All stores used a floorplan that ...
More
Hypermart USA was a demonstrator project operated by Wal-Mart in the 1980s, which attempted to combine groceries and general merchandise under one roof at a substantial discount. The hypermart concept was modeled after French retailer Carrefour which had been operating big box stores in France and Brazil. The Texas stores were operated in partnerships with Cullum Companies, former owner of Tom Thumb supermarkets.
All stores used a floorplan that exceeded 220,000 sq. ft. (20,000 m²). They featured a mini-mall, food court, arcade, bank, and other kiosk operations.
The prototype did not go as well as planned. Wal-Mart was unaccustomed to operating such massive stores, and an economic recession had brought on a decline in retail sales. Although the stores were profitable, sales projections were too optimistic and the company did not anticipate the massive heating and cooling costs, the resistance of customers towards parking and congestion issues, and the formidable shopping experience in...
Less
