Yellowknife (Feb 22/06) - One of the city's largest retailers is planning big renovations that will mean more selection for high-tech gadget lovers.

"If we could get land we would try to build a new store," said Wal-Mart general manager Vince Berezowski. "But there just isn't any land available."

Instead the store will undergo an internal facelift including adding three automated checkout tills and more space in a number of departments.

"The shelf-checkouts still take cash," he said. "Most people find them really convenient."

The floor plan will remain 52,000 square feet, but when everything is done there will be expanded dry goods and cosmetics areas as well as men's, women's and infant fashion departments.

"Dry goods are very important to people in the North," he said, adding there are no plans to add a frozen food section.

Electronics is going through the biggest transformation and will grow to twice its current size.

"Doubling our size means that we can get new products in and we won't be so cramped," said sales associate Kevin Sosiak.

Housewares will be shrinking to make room for the expanded offerings in other areas, said Berezowski. The shelving in the fabric department will also be reorganized to create space.

The project is expected to result in work for up to 40 extra part-timers over an eight- to 14-week period. Work is expected to begin sometime this week with two overnight shifts and a single day squad tackling the renovations.

Shopper Steve Anderson and his family were visiting from out of town and he said he likes the sound of changes, but wonders what the expanded selection will mean for downtown retailers.

"Whenever we come into Yellowknife we do some of our shopping at Wal-Mart," he said. "If they expand electronics, it might be hard for the smaller independents to compete.