A familiar logo with a yellow, six-pointed starburst is becoming more prevalent in the Wilmington area as a superstore expands its presence.
Walmart plans expansion for its Monkey Junction, Porters Neck and Leland stores while a new Walmart store in Carolina Shores is close to opening and another has been proposed for Hampstead.
Here's how the Walmart landscape in the area looks.
Walmart on Carolina Beach Road
The retail giant has submitted plans to New Hanover County to add 9,441 square feet to the store at 5135 Carolina Beach Road.
The added space would be used for online pickup and delivery services, according to a building permit application. Among the improvements would be a new sidewalk, delivery doors, overhead canopy and a variety of signage.
Walmart at Porters Neck
Another Walmart in Porters
Neck at 8035 Market St. plans a similar 7,033-square-foot expansion to accommodate online pickup and delivery services.
A third Walmart in New Hanover County is located at 5226 Sigmon Road.
Leland Walmart to grow
Meanwhile, the Walmart Supercenter in Leland has proposed an expansion of more than 7,000 square feet that would provide more space for workers but could take away some parking spaces.
Plans also detail additional signage, an expanded sidewalk, new doors, a new concrete pad and the replacement of an overhead canopy.
A new Walmart in Brunswick County
A Walmart Supercenter is slated to open in October in the town of Carolina Shores’ extraterritorial jurisdiction along U.S. 17 near the North Carolina/South Carolina border. Walmart submitted plans for a store and gas station on over 20 acres of property next to a planned Publix Supermarket in May 2024. The Publix is also expected to open before the end of this year.
It will join Brunswick locations in Leland, Shallotte and Southport.
Another Walmart planned for Hampstead
Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust purchased a 42-acre parcel along U.S. 17 across from Deerfield Drive in Hampstead for $15.5 million in March 2025 and submitted site plans earlier this summer. The box store is to be located on an undeveloped field that has historically been the site of the North Carolina Spot Festival.
Plans show the store would include a garden center and have over 700 parking spaces.
Bob Liepa is the city of Wilmington and public safety reporter for the StarNews. You can reach him at RLiepa@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: How Walmart is expanding its presence in the Wilmington area
