Walmart’s New Frontier: Fuel, Food, and the ‘Stores of the Future’ Coming to Florida

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By Paul Rutledge – Extended Reach Florida

When Walmart and Murphy USA parted ways, it left a gap in retail fuel service. But instead of retreating, Walmart responded with a bold move—entering the gas and convenience store sector directly. Today, they’re rapidly expanding across more than 34 states, with over 400 stores expected by year-end 2024 and another 450 planned in 2025, according to C-Store Dive.

This expansion strategy is not just opportunistic—it’s smart real estate. By leveraging the large parking footprints of existing Supercenter locations, Walmart is increasing service efficiency while reinforcing daily consumer traffic. It’s reminiscent of Publix’s brief experiment with fuel centers—though Walmart’s scale and pricing advantage may give it staying power where others pulled back.

The Bigger Play: Walmart’s Store of the Future Initiative

Walmart is simultaneously investing in a $9 billion overhaul of 700 stores across the U.S., with Florida playing a central role. Branded the “Store of the Future” initiative, these renovations are more than cosmetic. They include:

Wider aisles
Upgraded self-checkouts
Modern signage
Intuitive layouts
Seamless integration with mobile apps and pickup
Enhanced refrigeration and fresh food presentation

These upgrades aim to bridge the convenience gap and position Walmart as a hybrid of discount retail and digitally enabled service.

Walmart Corporate Image – Stores of the Future
Walmart Corporate Image – Stores of the Future
Walmart Corporate Image – Stores of the Future

Florida Locations Getting the Upgrade

Florida will see dozens of stores reimagined under this initiative. These locations are undergoing or slated for Store of the Future improvements:

Bradenton: 6991 SW 8th St.
Cape Coral: 3920 Skyline Blvd.
Crawfordville: 35 Mike Stewart Dr.
Daytona Beach: 1101 Beville Rd.
Delray Beach: 3155 S Federal Hwy & 16205 S Military Trail
Deltona: 1569 Saxon Blvd.
Fort Pierce: 5100 Okeechobee Rd.
Greenacres: 3911 S Jog Rd.
Hollywood: 301 S State Rd 7
Homosassa: 6885 S Suncoast Blvd.
Homestead: 1499 S Dixie Hwy
Jupiter: 2144 W Indiantown Rd.
Lake Worth: 4105 S State Rd 7
Largo: 13817 Walsingham Rd.
Margate: 5555 W Atlantic Blvd.
Melbourne: 1001 E Eau Gallie Blvd.
Miami: 6931 NW 88th Ave, 6991 SW 8th St, 3200 NW 79th St, 9191 W Flagler St
Miramar: 1800 S University Dr.
North Port: 1100 S Main St.
Orlando: 11930 Narcoossee Rd.
Perry: 1900 S Jefferson St.
Port Orange: 1590 Dunlawton Ave.
Punta Gorda: 5001 Taylor Rd.
Quincy: 1940 Pat Thomas Pkwy
Royal Palm Beach: 9990 Belvedere Rd.
Sarasota: 3560 Bee Ridge Rd.
Tallahassee: 4400 W Tennessee St.
Tamarac: 6931 NW 88th Ave
Tampa: 4525 Gunn Hwy
Vero Beach: 5555 20th St.

(Source: Yahoo Finance News; Walmart Corporate Newsroom pending update)

Competing in Food and Fuel

This investment signals Walmart’s serious intent to capture value and convenience segments. But in doing so, it steps into territory where expectations are rising fast. Competitors like RaceTrac are redefining convenience dining with hot meals, fresh empanadas, croissant breakfasts, and artisanal coffee stations. Walmart must adapt accordingly.

So far, customer loyalty favors Walmart’s price-over-speed equation. But in today’s competitive landscape, you need to offer both. The “Store of the Future” program, paired with on-site fuel and food convenience, may finally align those two forces.

Real Estate Implications

As a senior broker in commercial real estate, I see Walmart’s evolution as both a national retail signal and a hyperlocal opportunity. These upgrades not only attract daily foot traffic—they enhance land value, draw co-tenants, and reposition shadow parcels and out parcels for higher-yield uses.

Whether you’re a developer, investor, or landowner near one of these enhanced stores, this wave of investment is a sign to pay attention. Opportunities are forming across Florida to align with America’s biggest retailer as it reshapes what retail looks like in the next decade.

For more information on sites and opportunities for land or convenience, please get in touch with Paul Rutledge at 941-228-2198 or email PRutledge@LQcre.com.

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