Two Yuma Walmart stores are adding fuel stations
Samuel Kirk
Construction underway at Avenue B and 32nd Street locations
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Shoppers in Yuma will soon be able to fill up their tanks at Walmart. Construction has officially started on two brand-new fuel stations at the Avenue B and 32nd Street Walmart locations.
Contractors say both stations should be completed within about 20 weeks. Once they open, the pumps will be available to customers who join the Walmart Rewards program.
For many regular shoppers, the construction is hard to miss. Yuma local Alexis Escobedo said she usually shops at Walmart and thinks the gas stations “look interesting.”
She added, “I might consider it actually. If it’s this close by and the price is good, I might consider signing up for whatever rewards program Walmart has.”
However, not everyone is sold on the change. Paul Phillips, another Yuma resident, pointed out that the construction is taking up a lot of space.
“I think people should realize that they are using more space probably than what the station will take up,” he said.
Others believe that gas prices and brand loyalty will ultimately be more important than convenience alone.
Larry Smith, also from Yuma, said, “Walmart has their faithful, Circle K has their faithful, and probably gas prices won’t be that different anyway.”
Phillips added that while he doesn’t normally buy gas at Walmart, he’s open to seeing how it turns out.
“I don’t personally buy my gas at Walmart, but I don’t know. I guess only time will tell,” he said.
For now, traffic in the parking lots may be a little slower as construction continues. But Walmart hopes the fuel stations will add more value for its customers once they’re finished.