A Big Box Move for Ottawa's East End
Ottawa shoppers in the city's east end have something new to look forward to — Walmart Canada has announced plans to open a supercentre at Place d'Orléans Shopping Centre, taking over the large footprint left behind by the now-defunct Hudson's Bay Company.
The new location will span two levels and is expected to open in 2027, giving the Orléans community a significant retail anchor to replace the Bay, which shuttered as part of HBC's sweeping national closure of its department store chain.
Filling the Bay-Shaped Hole
The departure of Hudson's Bay stores across Canada left a lot of malls scrambling for solutions to enormous empty spaces. Place d'Orléans is no exception — the former Bay location is one of the most prominent spots in the shopping centre, and landing a Walmart supercentre is about as big a get as a mall could hope for in today's retail climate.
Walmart supercentres combine a full grocery section with general merchandise, clothing, electronics, and more under one roof. For Orléans residents — a rapidly growing suburban community on Ottawa's eastern edge — having that kind of one-stop-shop convenience right at the local mall is a meaningful upgrade.
What This Means for Orléans
Orléans has seen substantial population growth over the past decade, and the community has long advocated for more retail and service options closer to home. A Walmart supercentre at Place d'Orléans would reduce the need for residents to drive to big-box corridors elsewhere in the city, which is a practical win for the neighbourhood.
The two-level format is also noteworthy — it speaks to the scale of the former Bay space and Walmart's ambition for the location. Expect a full grocery department, pharmacy, and the usual broad Walmart product mix.
2027: Mark the Calendar
The timeline puts the opening roughly two years out, so there's still some waiting to do. Construction and fit-out of a space that size takes time, especially when you're converting a traditional department store layout into a modern supercentre format.
In the meantime, Place d'Orléans continues to operate, and the rest of the mall's tenants remain open. The Walmart announcement is likely welcome news for the shopping centre's other retailers too — a busy anchor store draws foot traffic that benefits everyone in the building.
For Orléans, this is one of the more significant retail announcements in recent memory. Stay tuned as 2027 approaches and the new supercentre takes shape.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal
