A new Walmart Supercentre is slated to arrive at Calgary's Southcentre Mall in 2028. This massive two-level facility will take over the space once occupied by Hudson's Bay, serving as a pirmary anchor for the shopping centre.
The 165,000-square-foot takeover of the Hudson's Bay space
The upcoming transformation of Southcentre Mall centers on a significant expansion of essential services. As reported by news outlets, the new Walmart Supercentre will span approximately 165,000 square feet across two levels. The facility is designed to be a comprehensive destination, incorporating a full grocery store, a pharmacy, a vision centre, and a wide array of home goods.
Walmart Canada spokesperson Shawn Fujiki noted that the move is intended to provide "even more convenient access" to customers in the south Calgary region.. By positioning the store as a "one-stop-shop" within the existing mall infrastructure, the retailer aims to capture high-frequency shopping trips that traditional department stores often miss.
A piece of Walmart Canada's $6.5 billion expansion
This Calgary development is a strategic component of a much larger national investment. In 2025, Walmart Canada announced a $6.5 billion commitment to be deployed over the next five years. This capital is earmarked for expanding both the company's physical store footprint and its domestic supply chain infrastructure.
The Southcentre Mall project represents the fourth new supercentre planned for the province of Alberta under this massive investment plan.. this suggests that the company is heavily prioritizing the Alberta market as it seeks to modernize its retail presence across Western Canada.
The Tsuut'ina Nation and Alberta supercentre rollout
Walmart's growth in Alberta is moving on multiple tracks simultaneously. While the Southcentre Mall location is expected to open in 2028 , another significant supercentre is already in the pipeline for the Tsuut'ina Nation, with an expected opening in 2027. These staggered timelines indicate a rapid acceleration of Walmart's large-format retail presence in the province.
Oxford Properties' strategy for evolving shopping centres
The transition from a traditional department store like Hudson's Bay to a high-frequency retailer like Walmart reflects a broader shift in how shopping centres are managed. Oxford Properties, the owner and operator of Southcentre Mall, is actively leaning into this evolution. According to the report,Oxford has a multi-decade history of reimagining retail spaces to meet changing market dynamics.
Spokesperson Tori Nixon stated that the arrival of Walmart reflects the company's ability to transform vacant spaces into "compelling new opportunities." This strategy aims to strengthen the retailer mix and reinforce the long-term viability of the property by catering to modern consumer expectations for convenience and essential services.
Uncertainties regarding Southcentre's remaining retail tenants
While the announcement provides clarity on the Hudson's Bay vacancy, several questions remain regarding the mall's broader ecosystem. It is currently unverified how the arrival of a massive discount-oriented anchor will impact the foot traffic and sales of smaller, specialized boutiques within Southcentre Mall. Furthermore, the source does not specify if this move is part of a wider trend of department store exits across other major Calgary shopping hubs.
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