Walmart Closing Coon Rapids Store August, Laying Off 176 Employees

Walmart will close its Coon Rapids, Minnesota store on August 29, 2025, as part of a broader strategy to modernize and optimize its physical retail footprint. The store, an older format lacking a full grocery department, did not meet current customer needs or financial benchmarks, prompting the closure amid the presence of six other Walmart stores within a 10-mile radius, many undergoing renovations. Approximately 176 to 180 employees at the Coon Rapids location will face layoffs but will have opportunities to transfer to other Walmart stores or Sam's Club facilities, with a 90-day paid job search period provided. This closure follows a similar Walmart store shutdown in Brooklyn Center in 2023 and aligns with Walmart's $195 million investment to refresh 22 Minnesota stores with technology upgrades and improved layouts to better serve evolving shopping behaviors. Walmart's strategy reflects a shift in retail toward integrating e-commerce, delivery, and efficient in-store experiences to adapt to consumer demands and maintain competitiveness. Despite growth in online sales, Walmart continues significant investment in its U.S. stores to blend traditional and digital retail approaches.