Hypermart USA
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Fate | Project terminated All four locations converted to Walmart Supercenter. Two were eventually shut down and demolished. |
Number of locations | 4 (peak) |
| Products | Groceries, apparel, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, cosmetics, electronics, and household goods. |
| Parent | Walmart |
Hypermart USA—also known as Walmart's Hypermart USA after 1990—was an experimental retail concept launched by Walmart during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It sought to merge grocery shopping with general merchandise in a single large-format store offering significant discounts. This hypermarket idea drew inspiration from earlier models developed by European retailers like Auchan and Carrefour, as well as Midwestern chains such as Meijer. At its height, Hypermart USA operated four stores: two in Texas, one in Kansas, and one in Missouri.
Each location featured a footprint exceeding 220,000 square feet (20,000 m2), which is roughly 42,000 square feet larger than the average Walmart Supercenter in 2022 and about 40,000 square feet smaller than the largest Walmart Supercenter as of March 2024 in Albany, New York. The stores incorporated amenities such as a mini-shopping mall, food court, arcade, bank services, and various kiosks. The Kansas City and Topeka outlets included eateries like McDonald's, Subway, and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen within their food courts.
History
Initially intended to be called “Wal-Mart Supercenter,” the prototype stores were ultimately branded “Hypermart USA,” a name that was later repurposed for Walmart’s Supercenter format. The initiative did not meet expectations; Walmart lacked experience managing such expansive retail spaces, and the early 1990s recession dampened consumer spending. Despite generating profits, the stores fell short of sales forecasts and encountered unforeseen challenges such as high heating and cooling expenses along with customer dissatisfaction related to parking difficulties and congestion.
The first Walmart Supercenter opened in 1988 in Washington, Missouri with a floor area around 125,000 square feet (11,600 m2). This format proved more successful financially. Consequently, in April 1990 Walmart rebranded the stores as "Wal-Mart's Hypermart USA" before gradually converting them into Supercenters. As of 2023, two former Hypermart sites continue operating as Walmart Supercenters while the other two have been demolished.
The Hypermart USA brand was officially retired in 2000 when Walmart announced plans to convert the Kansas City Hypermart into a Supercenter. That particular store closed permanently in January 2007. The original Garland, Texas location ceased operations in May 2008. The Topeka, Kansas hypermarket on Southwest Wanamaker Road remains open but has undergone exterior renovations along with the Arlington, Texas store on South Cooper Street.
More recent Walmart Supercenters—such as the one at Crossgates Commons—surpass even the largest Hypermart USA locations in size; however, as of 2025, the Kansas City Hypermart holds the record for the largest building footprint within Walmart’s portfolio, followed by the Doral, MI site.
In parallel with Walmart’s tradition, Hypermart featured its own promotional chant:
Hypermart’s store that’s out of sight.
The prices are low and the star is bright.
America’s new way to shop and save.
Hypermart, Hypermart, USA.
Who’s No. 1 now?
Hypermart!
Who’s No. 1 now?
Hypermart!
Competition, get on down!
Uh!
Garland, Texas
The Garland, Texas store opened its doors on December 28, 1987, featuring a massive retail space measuring between 213,000 and 226,000 square feet. On its inaugural day, the store attracted approximately 20,000 customers. Initially branded as a Hypermart USA, it was later transformed into a Walmart Supercenter, shedding the Hypermart identity. By May 2008, Walmart revealed plans to close this location and establish a smaller Supercenter in close proximity. In October 2017, the city of Garland announced intentions to purchase the now-vacant property with goals of redeveloping it as a prominent "gateway" to the community. After remaining unused for around ten years—during which time it became a haven for homeless individuals and drew numerous complaints—the building was demolished in the summer of 2018. Attempts to repurpose the site for facilities such as self-storage units and sports centers were unsuccessful.
This facility offered an extensive range of amenities and services including:
- A photo processing department
- An on-site tortilla production facility
- A seafood counter with full service
- A hair salon
- A portrait photography studio
- A video rental outlet
- A food court housing eight different vendors
- A supervised play area designated for children
- The "Wall of Value," an entire aisle dedicated to discounted merchandise
- Banking services
- Shoe repair shop
- Deli serving coffee at 15 cents per cup
- Parking lot accommodating 1,600 vehicles
- Optician services
- Babysitting options
- A total of 58 checkout lanes
Topeka, Kansas
The Topeka, Kansas site, established in January 1988, gained such popularity that the transit authority incorporated stops at the Hypermart. As of 2025, this location continues to operate as a Walmart Supercenter.
Arlington, Texas
The Arlington, Texas Hypermart, which opened in August 1988, remains in operation as a Walmart Supercenter as of 2025.
Kansas City, Missouri
The Kansas City, Missouri Hypermart commenced operations on February 20, 1990. Situated just northeast of the now-defunct Bannister Mall within the Benjamin Plaza complex, this South Kansas City store was the final Hypermart USA to launch. It was also the largest among the four Hypermart locations, encompassing approximately 256,637 sq ft (23,842 m2). Often referred to as Walmart’s "mall without walls," this store featured a mix of restaurants and specialty shops alongside its combined grocery and general merchandise discount offerings.
Amenities included:
- A food court with seating for 200 patrons and quick-service eateries such as Taco John's, Corn Dog 7, V's Pasta Parlor, Torre's Pizzeria, Oasis (serving ice cream, shakes, and frozen yogurt), Subway, and McDonald's.
- United Missouri City Bank
- Hypermart Pharmacy
- An Aladdin's Castle arcade
- Cost Cutters family hair salon
- Family Vision Center
- Travel Center Ltd.
- Hearing Today Laboratory
- ShoeSmith
- 1-Hour Photo-Mart
- American Studios, Inc., a portrait studio
- HyperSound and Video
- The "Wall of Value," featuring products at significant discounts
In May 2000, Walmart declared plans to invest $4.9 million (approximately $Template:Format price adjusted for inflation) to transform the Kansas City Hypermart USA into a Walmart Supercenter. The company cited that this conversion marked the final transition away from the Hypermart format due to stores being excessively large and inconvenient for shoppers. Walmart noted that their concept of offering everything under one roof was more aligned with European retail styles and proved overwhelming for American consumers.
Kansas City Councilman Chuck Eddy suggested alternative reasons for the store’s struggles, highlighting numerous resident complaints about lengthy checkout lines, litter and unattended carts in parking areas, unclean restrooms, overall disorderliness, and poor management practices. Walmart aimed to construct a new Supercenter in South Kansas City near State Line Road and 135th Street; however, city officials insisted on improvements at the existing Hypermart before approving the new development. Renovation costs were estimated at nearly $5 million for the 270,000 sq ft (25,000 m2) facility.
Following these developments, Walmart proceeded with renovating and converting the Hypermart while appointing new management to address operational issues. In 2006, construction began on a new Walmart Supercenter located on the former Blue Ridge Mall site—this store represented Walmart’s initial "high-efficiency" model. Due to this new location along with another Supercenter on State Line Road and declining business at Bannister Mall and Benjamin Plaza, Walmart announced plans to close the original Hypermart by mid-January 2007. The approximately 400 employees were offered positions at the new Blue Ridge store or other nearby Walmart locations.
After remaining vacant for seven years, the former Kansas City Hypermart building was demolished in 2014 alongside much of the adjacent empty retail space as part of an extensive redevelopment initiative.
See also
- American Fare – KMart's counterpart