Walmart has opened a 725,000ft² perishable distribution centre (PDC) in Wellford in the US state of South Carolina.

Located in the Lyman area, the facility is engineered to handle and process fresh produce, eggs, dairy, meat and frozen products for distribution to 180 stores.

It is the third of five high-tech PDCs Walmart is opening nationwide which utilise advanced automation to handle more than double the volume that traditional distribution centres can process.

Walmart US supply chain executive vice-president Rob Montgomery stated: “The opening of our new high-tech perishable distribution centre marks a major step forward in how we get fresher products to customers faster — whether that’s in-store, delivered to their home or even restocking their refrigerator.” 

Walmart's integration of tech within the facility is transforming the roles of associates by automating some of the most physically demanding tasks.

Robotics now take over the movement of cases on and off pallets, reducing the requirement for manual lifting.

Associates collaborate with high-tech systems to build store-specific pallets, ensuring that delicate items such as eggs and yogurt are positioned to minimise damage.

AI monitors each pallet to guarantee accuracy and freshness, streamlining the unloading process at stores and enabling store associates to dedicate more time to customer service.

The distribution centre employs 600 full-time employees.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster stated: “South Carolina continues to lead in innovation and logistics, and Walmart’s investment in Spartanburg County is driving that momentum forward.

“Through advanced supply chain technology and a strong commitment to local sourcing, we’re proud to partner with Walmart to deliver fresh, affordable food to communities across our state and the region.”

In June 2025, Walmart announced that it is experimenting with a new format known as “dark stores” – facilities designed to support faster delivery operations.