Walmart Supercenter

Walmart Supercenter – Aurora, Illinois (Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area)

The Walmart Supercenter located in Aurora, Illinois offers a premier opportunity to acquire a mission-critical, net-leased retail property backed by Walmart Inc., the largest retailer in the world. Strategically situated within the Chicago metropolitan statistical area—the third-largest MSA in the United States—this asset combines high-credit tenancy, passive ownership structure, long-term corporate lease stability, and powerful demographic fundamentals.

Aurora is one of the most populous and economically dynamic suburbs in the Chicago area, known for its strong middle-class housing base, institutional employment centers, and access to multiple regional transportation networks. The subject property is a full-format, freestanding Walmart Supercenter serving as a regional retail anchor for western Chicago’s suburban corridor. It benefits from strong daytime traffic, cross-shopping with national co-tenants, and a diversified consumer base.

Backed by a long-term net lease to Walmart Inc., this asset provides investors with dependable income, minimal operational responsibilities, and embedded security through the tenant’s AA-rated corporate guarantee. Positioned in a market with long-term population stability and continued investment in residential, retail, and infrastructure development, this property offers a compelling blend of cash flow and underlying real estate value in a Top 3 U.S. metro.

Tenant Overview – Walmart Inc.

Walmart Inc. is a publicly traded Fortune 1 company and the largest retailer on the planet. With more than 10,500 stores worldwide—including approximately 4,600 U.S. locations—Walmart serves over 240 million customers each week and generates more than $600 billion in annual revenue. Its operational scale, strategic reinvestment, and essential-service positioning make Walmart one of the most reliable and recession-resistant tenants in the real estate sector.

Core highlights of Walmart as a tenant:

• AA-rated credit by Standard & Poor’s
• Over 1.6 million employees in the U.S.
• No. 1 grocery retailer in the U.S.
• Rapidly expanding into healthcare and digital retail
• Industry leader in last-mile logistics and e-commerce integration
• Corporate-guaranteed leases across its national store base

Walmart’s Supercenter locations represent the most critical component of its U.S. retail infrastructure. These stores offer groceries, general merchandise, pharmacy services, financial products, and more—all under one roof. The format has continued to evolve into a hybrid shopping and logistics platform as Walmart transforms into a full-service omnichannel operation.

Lease Structure – Net Lease With Corporate Guaranty

The Walmart Supercenter in Aurora, IL is subject to a long-term, corporately guaranteed net lease. This lease structure offers passive, bond-like income with virtually no landlord obligations and is ideal for institutional capital, private equity, 1031 exchange buyers, REITs, and generational wealth vehicles.

Typical lease features include:

• Tenant pays real estate taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance
• Landlord has limited or no responsibilities for roof, structure, or parking lot
• Walmart Inc. as tenant of record, ensuring investment-grade lease security
• Lease term includes multiple renewal options and built-in site-level commitment
• Consistent lease performance history across comparable Supercenter locations

Walmart has a demonstrated track record of retaining successful sites through multiple renewal periods. Locations like Aurora—serving dense suburban populations and operating as regional anchors—tend to remain core holdings in the company’s national footprint.

Market Overview – Aurora, Illinois (Chicago MSA)

Aurora is the second-largest city in Illinois and one of the key suburban municipalities in the western Chicago metropolitan area. Located approximately 40 miles west of downtown Chicago, Aurora has evolved from a manufacturing hub into a diversified suburban economy driven by healthcare, education, logistics, and public sector employment. Its population exceeds 180,000, with strong representation of middle-income families and multigenerational households.

Key economic and market features include:

• Immediate proximity to I-88 and Metra commuter rail lines
• Regional employment hubs including Rush Copley Medical Center, Aurora University, and Kane County government offices
• Dense suburban housing with planned communities and consistent new development
• Strong daytime employment driven by industrial, educational, and healthcare sectors
• Adjacent to Naperville and other affluent western suburbs, expanding the consumer catchment

The Chicago MSA remains one of the most diversified and resilient urban economies in the country. Its scale and infrastructure—including two international airports, major freight lines, and a comprehensive highway network—support robust consumer demand and retail performance in suburban nodes like Aurora.

Demographics and Consumer Trade Area

The Walmart Supercenter serves a densely populated trade area with balanced consumer demographics and above-average retail demand. Within a 5-mile radius of the property:

• Total population exceeds 250,000
• Average household income ranges from $75,000 to $100,000+
• Broad age range with strong representation from working families, retirees, and young professionals
• High retail dependency for essential items, groceries, and prescription needs
• Limited competition from direct comparable big-box retailers in the immediate submarket
• Anchors a wider trade area that includes large-format retail centers, schools, and healthcare facilities

The surrounding neighborhoods represent a mix of longstanding residential zones, new planned communities, and infill redevelopment projects. Aurora’s diversified housing stock contributes to sustained year-round demand for value-driven retailers like Walmart, particularly in high-traffic corridors where shopping is habitual and convenience-focused.

Property Overview – Freestanding Walmart Supercenter

The subject property is a full-size Walmart Supercenter constructed to serve as a regional retail destination. The layout, design, and operational features reflect Walmart’s most advanced format, supporting both high-volume retail and last-mile fulfillment functions.

Typical property characteristics include:

• 180,000 to 220,000 square feet of gross leasable area
• Full grocery section including fresh produce, deli, bakery, meat, and frozen goods
• General merchandise: electronics, housewares, toys, seasonal items, health and beauty, and apparel
• In-store pharmacy and Walmart Vision Center
• Financial services including money transfer, check cashing, and bill payment
• Auto care center, outdoor garden department, and order pickup kiosks
• Ample surface parking with 400+ spaces
• Strong monument and façade signage visible from major arterials
• High ingress and egress capability supporting regional customer flow

The site is strategically located along a heavily trafficked thoroughfare with strong visibility and access to multiple feeder roads. Surrounding retailers, restaurants, banks, and healthcare facilities create synergistic foot traffic and reinforce Walmart’s positioning as the anchor of this retail corridor.

Walmart’s Strategic Position in U.S. Retail

Walmart’s continued relevance is a result of its willingness to evolve. While many retailers struggle to maintain profitability in a digital-first world, Walmart has aggressively adapted by investing in infrastructure, services, and consumer technology. These investments strengthen its physical stores as both shopping destinations and digital fulfillment centers.

Key strategic initiatives include:

• Walmart+ membership program to compete with Amazon Prime
• Same-day grocery pickup and next-day delivery fulfillment
• Walmart Health clinics providing accessible, low-cost primary care
• Expansion into fintech and in-store banking services
• Use of robotics and AI in inventory and logistics
• Renewable energy deployment across store and warehouse assets
• Drone delivery and autonomous vehicle testing for last-mile delivery

This evolution allows Supercenters like Aurora’s to serve as key touchpoints in Walmart’s omnichannel retail strategy. The building is not just a store—it is a healthcare provider, logistics hub, community anchor, and digital access point for a growing segment of the U.S. population.

Investment Highlights

• Net lease to Walmart Inc. (AA credit rating)
• Long-term income stream with corporate guaranty
• Passive ownership structure with limited landlord obligations
• Freestanding Supercenter format serving regional consumer demand
• Located in Aurora, Illinois—one of the fastest-growing and most stable cities in the Chicago MSA
• Dense population with above-average household income and diversified economic base
• High consumer traffic, excellent co-tenancy, and site-level logistics integration
• Strong real estate fundamentals in a top 3 U.S. metro
• High renewal probability and long-term viability as an essential-service asset
• Ideal for conservative investors, institutions, REITs, and 1031 exchange buyers

Conclusion

The Walmart Supercenter in Aurora, IL represents one of the most desirable net lease investments in the Midwest. With a long-term, corporately guaranteed lease from the largest retailer in the world, the asset provides dependable income with minimal management requirements and a strong probability of tenant retention. Its location in the thriving suburb of Aurora within the expansive Chicago MSA adds another layer of durability and long-term upside.

Walmart’s continued evolution into a digitally-enabled, logistics-driven enterprise further enhances the value of its best-performing Supercenter properties. This offering reflects a textbook example of mission-critical retail real estate supported by both demographic fundamentals and tenant credit.

For investors seeking reliable cash flow, long-term tenant security, and passive ownership in a top-tier metropolitan area, this Walmart Supercenter stands as an exceptional opportunity to acquire a cornerstone asset with both immediate yield and enduring value.