Walmart closing central Ohio store after falling short of 'financial expectations'

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A central Ohio Walmart store is closing after the location did not meet the company's financial expectations.

The Walmart store at 3579 South High St. is closing to the public on Feb. 16, while the pharmacy will close on March 4, the company announced on Friday. With nearly 5,000 stores across the nation, Walmart said it made the decision not to renew this location's lease after it did not perform as hoped.

"We are grateful to the customers who have given us the privilege of serving them at our store on High Street in Columbus," said Brian Little, Walmart's global communications director. "We look forward to continuing to serve them at any of our many locations across the area, on walmart.com and through delivery to their home or business."

All associates in the store are eligible for transfer and will be paid through May 3. After that date, if they do not transfer, eligible associates will receive severance. Pharmacy staff will work with customers to transfer prescriptions to another convenient Walmart location, the company said.

Walmart said there are no additional closures planned for the region. The company serves customers at 170 stores and Sam's Clubs in Ohio, and employs more than 56,000 associates in the state. Within the Columbus metropolitan area, Walmart has 16 brand-name stores and four Sam's Clubs. During fiscal year 2023, Walmart stores, clubs, and the Walmart Foundation, contributed $49.2 million in cash and in-kind donations to state and local non-profits in Ohio.