Walmart/Decor packages

This article describes Walmart decor packages in depth. Use this article to see if your store has a decor package described here.
NOTE: Some stores may have one decor package, with minor elements of other decor packages. This is often the case in minor or partial remodels.
== Project 79 (198x-198x) ==
This decor package was used in Walmart stores in the 1980s. Signage consisted of off-white rectangular signage annotated with red text. Checklanes were red and had rounded light fixtures, with the top of them being beige with red stripes above the number. The walls were beige with blue and red stripes along the top. Additionally, apparel departments were laid with red carpet.
== "Red Decor" (198x-1997) ==
This decor package was used in Walmart stores from the late-1980s to the mid-1990s. Signage consisted of red flat rectangular signs using the Helvetica Black typeface in white text. Some departments, particularly in apparel used a script font with the signage.
Checklanes had cube-shaped light fixtures, but with the tops white instead of red, and the checkstands were pewter blue. Walls were changed to grey, but maintained the blue and red stripes along the top.
In 1992, the cube-shaped checklane lights were phased out in favor of box-like ones, in red.
Apparel departments in these stores had grey carpet.
== "Futura 1.0" (1995-2003) ==
This decor package was used from the mid-1990s to 2003https://www.toledoblade.com/business/Economy/2003/03/20/Big-crowds-turn-out-for-opening-of-metro-Toledo-s-first-Wal-Mart/stories/200303200035. Major signage consisted of blue, sometimes teal or yellow rectangular signs with tiled dots and a red (sometimes fuchsia or pale blue) oval with white text in the Futura Extra Black typeface. A picture illustrating the department was placed on the left side of these signs.
Supercenter grocery aisles had red triangular signs with the number in Futura Extra Black and the list of merchandise in each aisle in the Futura Book typeface. Alongside the Grocery wall signage, a satisfaction guaranteed sign was painted on the wall, consisting of a blue outer circle with "satisfaction" on the top and "guaranteed" on the bottom. In the center circle, the 200% is written. It was written in a Clarendon typeface. Grocery signs on the walls carry the same motif as the signs in general merchandise, but are placed in a similar fashion as a magnet.
General merchandise aisles still had aisle markers, but used rectangular ones without numbers and a miniature version of the large signs was outfitted in the center of the aisle markers.
Another major change is the interior wall color was changed from grey to white. Like the decor package before it, the registers had pewter-blue checklanes with a red box-like fixture for the light.
== "Black Decor" (2003-2006) ==
In 2003, Walmart implemented a new decor package that used black signage with blue accents. The registers had their checkstand color and light fixture box changed to black. It's currently unknown which stores first got this package but it is confirmed to have debuted in 2003. 
=== Early Variant ===
A major change from previous decor packages is that the bottom of major signage is rounded. A picture and illustation set in varying shades of blue are placed at the top while the bottom is black and the name of the department is set in a white semi-bold Stone Sans typeface. 
Like the previous era, the walls are painted white and many other elements from 
Like the previous decor package, grocery aisles in Supercenters used triangular signs, this time in black and with the top rounded out for the number of the aisle. The number itself used a bold variant of Stone Sans typeface while the list of merchandise used a semibold variant. 
Also carried over from the previous decor package is the rectangular aisle markers in general merchandise, however they were split into two halves - one with a pictogram of an item in the department and the other half with a list of items in the aisle, still in the Futura book typeface.
Grocery signages, were also changed from a blue rectangle with a red oval and the full picture to a poly-split picture-framelike signage. Some of the signages were bracketed to face downward and are in bi-split and tri-split signages, against a metal platform. The signs beneath the pictures are rounded rectangles at the bottom of the platform in the Stone Sans typeface. The "200% Satisfaction Guaranteed" sign is retired in favor of a 5-frame sign. Two images from the 1995 package were retained, but others were replaced by images with a unique look. 
The Pharmacy section also had dark blue decorative trim along the top and Pharmacy lettering in the semi-bold version of Stone Sans. 
Like the decor package before it, the registers had pewter-blue checklanes with a red box-like fixture for the light. It has white walls like the previous era and many elements from it are present in the early variant. 
=== Later Variant ===
Starting in mid-2004 with new-built stores, The walls are now painted tan and the flooring also changes from red bordered-tile to brown concrete flooring. The brown flooring was only present at new built stores. Smaller "Hometown" Supercenters, meanwhile would use grey concrete flooring. In addition, apparel uses a laminate woodgrain type of flooring. Remodels in the mid 2000s would paint the walls tan. The registers would also change from the pewter-blue checkstands and red register box lights to black checkstands and black register box, tho some remodeled stores retained pewter-blue checkstands and red register box lights.
== "Futura 2.0"/Beyond the Store (2006-2007) ==
In late 2006, Walmart implemented a new decor package that used a mix of flat and cube-like signage, often with pictures on one side of the signs. It had black checkstands and register box lights like the previous era. The walls were also tan like the previous era.
The grocery section uses flat green signs with the name of the department set in a white Futura Book typeface. Earlier implementations used lowercase, however later uses of the package switched to mixed-case. Gooseneck signage retained the same shape, albeit with the new font in earlier versions. Later versions used flat
Supercenter grocery aisle markers have been completely refreshed for this decor package; rather than using triangular signage, flat rectangular signage is used, with the number in a circle on one side and a list of items in the aisle on the other, both in the Futura Book typeface.
The general merchandise section used either flat or 4-piece "pylon" signage in dark blue or light blue in major departments while smaller departments used narrow "pendant" signs. The latter of which also replaced general merchandise aisle markers used in the previous 2 decor packages.
Underlying pharmacy signage was retained from the previous decor package.
Like the previous package, stores in this era had tan walls and brown concrete floors. Smaller Hometown Supercenters would still use grey concrete flooring.
=== Layout changes ===
The to introduce walled-off, completely indoor portions of the Garden Center. These sections are open year-round, featuring outdoor furnishings, appliances, decorations, and large seasonal items. This room is also accompanied by an additional outdoor entrance connecting directly to the front sidewalk.
== Pre-Impact (2007-2009) ==
From late 2007 to early 2009, Walmart implanted a decor package similar to the Futura 2.0 package. It is short lived and possibly the most forgotten decor package by Walmart. This decor package has iterations due to the rebrand Walmart was going through. This is essentially the origin story of Project Impact. It debuted at new stores that opened October 24, 2007 such as Ladysmith, Wisconsin (#4281), Cleveland, Ohio (#4285) (One of the worst Walmarts), Kilmarnock, Virginia (#4350), Aiken, South Carolina (#4487) and others that include relocations. The decor package similar to the previous Futura design, but with all general merchandise signage in sky blue and grocery signage in green. Like the previous decor package, this decor used a mix of flat and cube-shaped signage. However, the cube signs would don a watermarked spark that would later form the 2008 Walmart logo. 
=== Layout changes ===
Pharmacy signage was changed again, this time using the Myriad Pro typeface for the Pharmacy lettering while using the then-Walmart logo above the word "Pharmacy. As with the previous two decor packages, brown concrete floors were used in most builds. This excluded exception of Hometown stores, which continued to use grey concrete flooring. 
== Project Impact (2008-2016) ==
Coinciding with their changing brand image, Walmart released a new decor package officially titled Project Impact. This decor package saw four iterations throughout nearly eight years in use throughout its stores, listed below.
* Version 1 (2008-2009) - Primary department signage consists of three/four-piece circular signage with picture crowns above the center, while secondary departments consist of two-piece "pillow" signage with a spark cut-out to the left of the department name. Tertiary department signage, also in pillow form, consists of one picture representing merchandise found in the department, accompanied with small text underneath. The Deli and Bakery departments feature canopies with the department (or product) name on them. The registers are the same as Pre-Impact and many other elements from that era were used. The blue and yellow walls that were used in some stores from that said era became permanent.
* Version 2 (2009-2011) - Same as Version 1, but with a solid yellow spark as opposed to blue sparks/cut-outs on primary and secondary signage respectively. Deli and bakery canopies now omit spark logos and secondary distinctions (e.g. "Rotisserie"). For unknown reasons, many 2009-2010 implementations have removed the picture crown adorning primary signage. The registers were updated from dark blue boxes to matching sky blue light fixture boxes. The typeface the numbers used also changed from Helvetica Condensed Bold (which had been used since the boxes were implemented in 1993) to Myriad Pro. 
** Grocery aisle marker variations
*** 2009 - number below text
*** 2010 - number above text, image accompanying
*** 2011 - number above text. This variant would carry through the rest of Project Impact.
* Version 3 (2011-2013) - All department signage is flat, with tertiary department signage continuing to use pictures representing the merchandise in the department. Deli and Bakery no longer use the canopies, rather secondary flat signage.
* Version 4 (2013-2016) - Same as Version 3, but all tertiary signage only has text representing the department and on the bottom of the signs if you look closely, It is labeled @2013 Walmart Stores Inc.
As with later installations of Pre-Impact, interior walls in the Grocery section are yellow and baby blue in general merchandise. Perimeter grocery signage was changed from green to orange in Project Impact. However some Pre-Impact stores used orange signage with yellow walls.
=== Layout designs ===
Early, transitional Impact stores were built with brown concrete flooring. All further new-build stores with this decor featured grey concrete flooring, regardless of store type.
As part of the Impact concept, Walmart relocated the pharmacy to center store, bordering upon grocery in order to help with loss prevention and drive center-store sales. However, as Version 3 was rolled out in late 2011, Walmart reverted the location of the Pharmacy and its corresponding HBC department to its traditional location on the front end (abutting the general merchandise entrance in dual-entrance stores).
From mid-2015, new stores co-located the Vision Center next to the Pharmacy. Circular signage was reintroduced specifically for this department, featuring "Health & Beauty" text on the outside with the inner portion featuring a collage of photos.
=== Variants: ===
* There's a rare variant of Project Impact which could be found at certain stores, including single-entrance Supercenters. Primary department signage was constructed akin to the "pillow" format, with a metal, spark-clad strip on the bottom and department text on top. It was used in 2009-2011
* Starting with Project Impact Version 3, remodeled stores would be painted dark brown.
== Black Decor 2.x (2015-2020) ==
In late 2015, Walmart overhauled their interior decor philosophy. Black Decor 2.0, named after black and white sign graphics resembling the previous Black Decor package, consists of wall and pendant signage similar to those seen in Futura and Pre-Impact, albeit wider. Walls were changed to white throughout the entire store. Registers remain the same as they did in Project Impact.
Primary flat signage is white with black text, and uses pictures and/or pictograms to represent the department. Secondary signage is white on black and uses a pictogram to represent merchandise sold in the department. Tertiary pendant signage is also black on white on the top and uses a pictogram to represent the department while the bottom is black and uses white text.
Grey concrete floors are still a standard for new-built stores. Many older tiled stores remodeling to this decor have stripped the tile out in favor of polished concrete.
In version 2.0, a white spark was used on a blue backdrop, with orange, red, or green versions in grocery. For version 2.1, the "spark" wall signs were all changed to a yellow spark on a blue backdrop. Restroom signage was also changed from black to grey in this update.
In 2018, Walmart modified the package's typeface from Myriad (which had been used since 2007) to Bogle, a new internally-designed font. Pendant signs with this variant are fully white on black. Additionally, apparel used dark grey-brown laminate woodgrain flooring, though more recent remodels to this decor package involved removing the woodgrain flooring outright, in favor of polished concrete, with a black border surrounding the entire department. New yellow aisle markers designed for mobile shopping, as well as a redesigned meat and seafood signage wall signage set were rolled out throughout Walmart's U.S. store network through 2018. Stores with Version 2 of Project Impact use the black aisle markers in Grocery as the flat yellow tops do not fit the pillow-shaped aisle markers. 
== Cyanominimalist (2020) ==
In 2020, Walmart updated their Black Decor 2.0 represent a minimalist trend. The signage style carries over from the Black Decor packages, but without pictures and now uses pictograms in their entirety. Walls are white like the previous decor package and the registers remain the same as the Black Decor and Project Impact decor packages. Like the modified 2018 Black Decor, all signage uses the Bogle font. Restroom and Mother's Room signage also retains the black color used in the previous decor suite.
All primary flat signage is white with blue text, which uses pictograms exclusively to represent the department. Secondary signage is white on a blue backdrop. Tertiary pendant signage uses the same color scheme as the secondary signage. All variants use the regular weight of Bogle instead of the bold weight used in the previous decor package.
Grey concrete floors are still a standard for new-built stores. As part of remodels involving this decor packages (and some stores which have Black Decor 2.0), the vestibule and apparel have had their tile and laminated woodgrain flooring removed in favor of uniform, polished concrete to match the rest of the store with a black border around apparel, which carried over from later Black 2.2 remodels.
Directory signage and grocery aisle markers are black with blue inserts and white text. The aisle toppers may be in either yellow with black text or white with blue text. 
== Airport (2020-present) (2021-present in Canada) ==
Walmart introduced a brand new decor package in 2020 that is meant to be more focused on Walmart's mobile app. This prototype has giant signage inspired by airport signage. The main signage in this decor has a similar style to Cyanominimalist, except that the icons are faintly in the background of the signage. The wall signage now has capital letters in a new font and words in a faint grey font. The yellow aisle toppers have been replaced by blue signage with numbers like in the impact era. The price signs are now smaller than before. General merchandise aisles now have aisle markers mounted at the sides of the endcaps. The grocery department has a signage design brand new to Walmart Supercenter stores, with capital dark blue floating letters and a blue grate fabric design for the service departments. The signage also has a beige background with blue accents. Goosenecks have been eliminated in the meat, dairy and frozen departments with said category markers now being mounted directly on top of the cases. Grocery now has giant white aisle markers with blue locator toppers.
This decor package was updated slightly in 2021.
== Canadian Decor Packages ==
Aside from localization changes and slight variances in design, Walmart's Canadian division used versions of the US decor packages until 2016. This section lists the minor variances in decor packages and unique decor packages they use.
=== Canadian Impact (2009-2016) ===
The version of Project Impact used in Canadian stores is mostly the same as version 2, except that the wall department signage resembles that of pre-impact with the color scheme of Project Impact. The checkout lights still retain their design from pre-impact except that they are now painted light blue. Some Canadian stores did a cheaper version similar to version 3 with minimal alterations from the US version aside from exterior signage, checklane signage, front end signage and pharmacy signage.
=== Blue and Yellow Decor (2016-2021) ===
Walmart started to roll out their "store of the future" prototype in 2016 with light-up primary department sign in a italic font with secondary signage having a yellow strip on the top with a icon and a blue background. The walls are now painted white throughout the store with the front end departments and pharmacy being painted blue. The entry lobby is painted yellow with the return of welcome signage. The signage seen in early revisions of B&Y Decor use the Myriad font. The pet and cleaning departments now have aisle markers like the ones found in grocery. The clothing signage resembles that of Black Decor 2x, except without the pylon signage and icons. 
A new revision of B&Y Decor came out in 2019 that redesigned the market section. There are now wooden beams over the newly named "Fresh Market" produce section. The walls in grocery now contain wood wallpaper, but use the same signage as before. The clothing department now have floor to ceiling rectangle signage with stock photos that change every season and department signage done in a similar fashion to the main signage except using black. The clothing section still uses laminate flooring. The exterior now has a section painted orange with Pickup signage. 
A third revision that came out in 2020 now brings the look and feel of the store inline with Walmart's current brand guidelines with brighter blues and yellows used on department signage and the proprietary Bogle font being used in most signage. The goosenecks now resemble those seen in Black Decor v2.2.
== References ==
Category:Decor Guides