Walmart is closing Norwalk store

The Walmart at 11729 Imperial Hwy. Google photo

NORWALK — Walmart is closing its Norwalk store effective Nov. 1, sources told the Norwalk Patriot on Wednesday.

Store employees were being notified of the closure today. The store is located at 11729 Imperial Hwy.

Walmart issued a statement Wednesday confirming its move out of Norwalk:

“After a careful and thoughtful review process, we have made the difficult decision to close the Walmart Discount Store at 11729 Imperial Hwy. in Norwalk,” said Tiffany Wilson, director of corporate communications with Walmart. “The decision is based on several factors including the store’s overall performance. We invite our customers to shop at our nearby stores – including our Supercenters at 9001 Apollo Way in Downey and 13310 Telegraph Rd in Santa Fe Springs – and on Walmart.com.

“We will continue to serve customers in new ways across California through expanded Online Grocery, store remodels and many other innovations aimed at saving them time and money. We will also continue our investments in training to give our associates the skills to succeed and a path to grow their careers.”

The Norwalk store employs 199 associates and they will be paid through Dec. 6, unless they transfer to another location, Walmart said.

“We hope that most of the 199 associates will want to continue their career with Walmart by transferring to one of our many nearby stores,” Wilson said. “Our HR teams will help identify transfer opportunities and assist associates through the transfer process.”

The store’s pharmacy will operate through Oct. 18. The pharmacy staff will help customers transfer their prescriptions to other locations; otherwise, prescriptions will be automatically transferred to the Walmart in Santa Fe Springs.

In a statement, the City of Norwalk said it wasn’t made aware of Walmart’s intentions to close the store until Wednesday morning.

“Walmart is a valued local business, as well as community partner; we are saddened for its impact on the approximate 200 store employees and impact on community before the start of the holiday shopping season,” the statement read. “We have expressed to Walmart our desire to assist in discussions to find any way feasible to help them remain open.

“The City of Norwalk will continue to expand all efforts and resources to ensure our community has access to current and future local work opportunities and enhanced retail and dining options.”

This story has been updated with confirmation of the store closure by Walmart. A second update added a quote from the City of Norwalk.