Walmart Inc. will open a 1.2 million square foot fulfillment center in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, the state’s Gov. Josh Stein announced Sept. 25.
North Carolina and Walmart expect the $300 million project to create more than 300 jobs in Gaston County when it opens in 2027. The facility will be located at 799 Sara Lee Access Road. It will ship large items such as patio furniture and lawnmowers directly to customers, with next-day delivery in some cases.
“North Carolina offers global companies like Walmart a friendly business climate, strong workforce development programs, and a transportation network tailored to their logistics needs,” Stein said.
Walmart is No. 2 in the Top 2000. The database is Digital Commerce 360’s ranking of North America’s online retailers by their annual ecommerce sales.
Walmart is also No. 8 in the Global Online Marketplaces. That database ranks the top such marketplaces by third-party gross merchandise value (GMV).
Walmart’s upcoming North Carolina fulfillment center
Karisa Sprague, senior vice president of supply chain at Walmart U.S., said the new site will expand the retailer’s ecommerce capacity.
“As our ecommerce business continues to grow, this new fulfillment center will play a critical role in helping us serve customers faster,” she said.
The new jobs are projected to generate more than $20 million in annual payroll. State economists estimate the facility will add $791 million to North Carolina’s economy over the next 12 years.
The project will be supported by a Job Development Investment Grant awarded to Walmart Fulfillment Services, LLC. The grant authorizes potential reimbursement of up to $3.67 million over 12 years, tied to verified job creation and investment targets. State officials said the projected return on investment for the incentive package is 174%, meaning the state expects to collect $2.74 in revenue for every $1 granted.
Commerce secretary Lee Lilley said Walmart’s decision reflects the state’s appeal for corporate investment.
“Following an extensive search, it’s great to see Walmart choose North Carolina as the best location from which to serve their growing customer demand,” Lilley said.
Walmart operates more than 214 stores and Sam’s Clubs in North Carolina, along with seven supply chain facilities. The company employs about 62,300 people statewide. In fiscal 2025, Walmart said it spent more than $9 billion with suppliers in the state, supporting more than 88,000 supplier jobs.
Digital Commerce 360 has reached out to Walmart for additional comment.
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