CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Walmart plans to shut down all of its Marketside stores later this month, according to a Mouth by Southwest report. The locations -- all in Arizona -- will close Oct. 21.

This abruptly ends the behemoth chain's first experiment with smaller-sized stores. The company launched the Marketside format in 2008 when it opened stores in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe, Ariz. In contrast to a typical Walmart Supercenter, Marketside stores are small grocery stores that specialize in prepared meals and fresh food, according to the company's website.

However, the store closings do not leave Walmart with only large stores. The retailer continues to operate and build its smaller Walmart Express stores in test markets in Richfield, N.C., Arkansas and Chicago.