Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will open its 10th Hawaii store at Fort Street Mall downtown in mid-July.

The big-box giant has hired about 150 workers for the 80,000-square-foot store. Employees were stocking shelves Thursday in preparation of the opening of the retailer’s first two-story location in the islands.

Similar to other Walmarts, the store will have a pharmacy and grocery department, as well as lawn and garden supplies on the second level.

Walmart is replacing Macy’s, which closed in February 2013, and will be just blocks away from rivals Longs Drugs and Walgreens, the latter of which will open on Hotel Street this fall.

"For the most part, competitors typically thrive," said Walmart store manager Ray Griego. "It’s healthy competition and it gives consumers an option. Most consumers nowadays are very limited in time in terms of their shopping habits, so it’s basically in and out. It’s a shopping alternative now for our business community where they can grab and go on the way back to their house."

The company’s newest store is 2.2 miles away from a Walmart on Keeaumoku Street.