Walmart says it plans to open its fifth next-generation fulfillment center using technology and machine learning in Stockton, California, in 2026.

The 900,000sqft facility will feature an automated, high-density storage and retrieval system that simplifies a currently manual, 12-step process down to just five steps. 

Walmart says the automation is expected to speed its order fulfillment and allow faster delivery with next-day or two-day shipping. More than 1000 associates will be employed at the facility.

“In response to increasing customer demand for online shopping, we are implementing technology to enhance delivery speed and accuracy for our customers, all the while creating new and exciting technology-empowered career paths for our associates,” said Karisa Sprague, SVP for fulfillment network operations for Walmart US.

The company’s end-to-end third-party service Walmart Fulfillment Services will also use the space to despatch goods for third-party marketplace partners.

Currently, Walmart has eight distribution centers, four fulfillment centers, and 309 retail stores in California.