At least somebody likes airport terminals. Walmart is now taking inspiration from the often-unloved edifices to revamp its stores to meet pandemic-era sensibilities, touting the facilities’ abilities to easily and efficiently direct users.

“We were inspired by airport way-finding systems as best-in-class examples of how to navigate large groups of people,” says Janey Whiteside, executive VP and chief customer officer at Walmart, which wants to change the layout and signage of its stores to speed up shopping and better cater to smartphone-armed customers.

The new look, which includes signs with bold dimensional typeface spotlighting sections, has to date been introduced in just one store in Arkansas, but will be rolled out to another 200 by early next year with plans to revamp another 800 stores by early 2022.

Walmart, North America’s largest retailer, says it was working on a new store layout a year ago, but the pandemic accelerated those efforts as customers are increasingly focused on contactless shopping amid safety concerns.

As part of the overall signage, the exterior and interior of the stores will reflect the Walmart app icon. As customers enter the store, they will see colourful iconography and a store directory that encourages them to download and use the Walmart app while they shop. Aisles will feature letter and number combinations to guide customers from phone to products.

Shoppers who don’t use their smartphones for shopping will still benefit with the bigger signs to help them find items, Whiteside noted.