Dive Brief:
- Wawa debuted a new store prototype with its latest grand opening on Sept. 21 in Henrico, Virginia, according to a company announcement.
- The newly designed building features a revamped entryway and cantilever roof canopy. Inside the store, Wawa has raised the ceiling, and added large windows to offer more space and light for customers and associates, while also applying a “warm and inviting” color palette.
- This is the only Wawa store with the new design, a company spokesperson confirmed. They did not offer details on any future locations that may feature this format.
Dive Insight:
New store designs have become one of the hotter trends seen around the c-store space over the past year as retailers focus on keeping customers on site for longer periods of time amid the vehicle electrification wave.
For Wawa, the new prototype reflects the company’s “continued store evolution journey,” Michelle Walsh, director of new store design for the Wawa, Pennsylvania-based retailer, said in the announcement.
The launch comes amid a massive growth phase for Wawa, highlighted by plans to increase its footprint from seven to 14 states and surpass 1,800 locations by 2030.
“We will always continue to evolve and enhance our interior and exterior design to create better experiences for our customers and associates, while providing the welcoming experience we are known for that remains our key to success,” Walsh said.
The new location will have about 50 employees. Like many other Wawa locations, it will feature the retailer’s made-to-order, fresh food kitchen, including its hoagie sandwiches, newly launched pizza, specialty beverages and more. This location will also offer mobile ordering, curbside pickup and delivery, as well as Wawa’s catering service.
Wawa operates more than 1,000 stores across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C
