Walmart has opened a new Neighborhood Market in Alpharetta – its third this year. The new store occupies a former Winn-Dixie location in the Alpharetta Crossing Shopping Center, at 11770 Haynes Bridge Road. Alpharetta follows Snellville, where a Neighborhood Market opened in August, and Lawrenceville, where the first store of its kind in Georgia opened in June.

And more are on the way, says Greg Sullivan, Walmart’s Senior Vice President for company operations in the Southeast. Work has begun on four additional stores in the Atlanta Metro Area that will be opened in 2013.

“We have been working hard at Walmart to make access to our brand more convenient to customers,” said Sullivan. “In communities like Atlanta we are incorporating a more flexible approach that includes both large and small store formats. Neighborhood markets offer a quick and convenient shopping experience for customers who need groceries, pharmacy items and general merchandise, all at our famous “Every Day Low Prices.”

Sullivan noted that the seven Atlanta-area Neighborhood Markets would employ more than 650 associates.

Two more Neighborhood Markets are under construction in Marietta – one at 1167 Powder Springs St., SW, another at Blackwell Square, 3344 Canton Road. The Powder Springs Street store is expected to open in January of 2013, and the Blackwell Square store in March.

Work has begun to clear the sites for Neighborhood Markets in Dunwoody (5025 Winters Chapel Road) and Tucker (3201 Tucker Norcross Road). Sullivan said additional Neighborhood Markets were likely in the Atlanta area and would be announced at a later time.

The 46,000-square-foot Alpharetta store features a self-serve deli with pre-packaged foods, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as meats, cheeses and prepared foods. In addition to fresh produce, including Georgia peaches, watermelons and strawberries, the store will carry a full line of groceries, including frozen foods, meat and dairy products and organic items. The Alpharetta Walmart Neighborhood Market will offer an expanded selection of general merchandise including, beer and wine, baby items, storage containers and items for the home.

Shoppers will also appreciate the convenience of the store’s pharmacy, along with a full selection of health-related products and a health and beauty area. Additional areas include stationery, paper goods, pet products, hardware items and a Celebration Station, where customers can buy gift wrap and gift bags, greeting cards and party supplies. Customers can also print their own digital photos at the store, which will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.