Wal-Mart Rolls Out First Neighborhood Market in West Palm Beach
Convenient shopping, great prices await customers WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., June 18, 2008 – West Palm Beach County’s first Neighborhood Market is set to open its doors Wednesday, bringing fresh produce, favorite brands and familiar values to area residents. The store, located at 6901 Okeechobee Blvd., will mark the occasion with a grand opening celebration at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 25. “I’m excited to help open the first Neighborhood Market in West Palm Beach,” said store Manager Tim Wallace. “Our customers are going to love the quick and convenient shopping experience our new store offers.” With more than 130 stores operating across the U.S., the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market provides consumers value and savings in a smaller, convenient “neighborhood” store format. The concept brings grocery, pharmacy and health and beauty together in a convenient, customer-friendly experience. Neighborhood Convenience
The new West Palm Beach store is located in the Lake Point Century Plaza shopping center, in space that formerly housed another retailer. The 52,000-square-foot store will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will offer residents a convenient place to pick up everyday items such as fresh foods and prescriptions. Customers will be able to select from a full line of groceries, including produce, deli and bakery items, meat, frozen foods and a large selection of familiar Hispanic food brands like Goya. The store will also feature services such as beer and wine sales and a photo kiosk. “We believe consumers today are looking for a shopping experience that can simplify their lives while meeting their personal needs,” said Wallace. “Our store was designed to show shoppers we can do both, as well as help save them money.” Wal-Mart’s expanded $4 prescription program is another way customers can save money on their healthcare needs. West Palm Beach customers will find prescriptions for most commonly treated medical conditions at this low price in the new store’s pharmacy. (Click here for additional details about Wal-Mart prescriptions.) Grants Benefit Local Community Groups
In celebration of the grand opening, the new store will present $18,500 in grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation to local community groups including Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Explorer Post 205. The grant will help the organization purchase much-needed equipment and uniforms. The organization is a division of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, which provides youth ages 14 through 21 with experiences that help them on the path to careers in fire or EMS service. “This donation from Wal-Mart will help enhance the training we are able to provide to students who are striving to become rescue explorers,” said Steve Newell, explorer advisor. “It’s great that Wal-Mart takes the time to be a good neighbor and invest in our community.” For more information about grants available year-round, organizations can contact the store manager. Store Opening Creates 100 Planned New Jobs
The new store will employ approximately 100 associates, and the majority of those jobs are full-time positions. The average hourly wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates in Florida is $10.99 per hour.* Wal-Mart benefits are available to both eligible full- and part-time associates -- including healthcare insurance with no lifetime maximum. Wal-Mart also offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing contributions, whether an associate contributes or not, store discount cards, company performance-based bonuses, stock-purchase program and life insurance. Store Reflects Commitment to Sustainability
The new West Palm Beach store is also designed with features that conserve energy and reduce environmental impact. “We are excited to make good use of existing space here in West Palm Beach and to bring sustainable features to the new store,” said Wallace. The freezer cases and non-sales areas of the store have LED lights and sensors that automatically shut off the lights when those areas are unoccupied or customers are not present. LED lighting throughout the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. Water flow in the store’s bathrooms is regulated through the use of sensor-activated faucets in the sinks and high-efficiency toilets and urinals that regulate water flow and reduce consumption, and turbines in the faucets actually generate the electricity that powers those sensors. The new store is also committed to offering products that are affordable and sustainable. About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $296 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartstores.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org. EDITOR’S NOTES
• An invitation-only open house for VIPs, Wal-Mart associates and their families is scheduled for Monday, June 23, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Preview tours will be provided.
• Tim Wallace, store manager, can provide details about the grand opening, offer quotes for interviews and arrange for photo opportunities or preview tours. He can be contacted at 561-683-6909.
• Statements and quotes on behalf of Wal-Mart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
* Average wage taken June 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for more details. FACT SHEET
West Palm Beach Neighborhood Market Store fast facts - Location: 6901 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, Fla.
- 52,000 square-foot Neighborhood Market
- Grand opening celebration: 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 25; doors open at 8 a.m.
- Store manager: Tim Wallace
Charitable giving
$18,500 in charitable contributions will be provided to area organizations including: - Boys and Girls Club
- Jeaga Middle School
- Okeeheelee Middle School
- Pop Warner Little Scholars
- Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Benevolent Fund
- Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County
Store features - Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, beer and wine sales, pharmacy
- LED lighting in freezer cases and non-sale areas, low-flow toilets and faucets in the bathroom, and concrete flooring made with recycled materials.
- Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Employment - The store will employ approximately 100 associates.
- The national average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates is $10.83 per hour.*
- Store Manager Tim Wallace began his Wal-Mart career 10 years ago as a meat cutter at a store in Orlando.
- Wal-Mart benefits – available to eligible full- and part-time associates – include healthcare insurance with no lifetime maximum. Wal-Mart also offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing contributions, whether an associate contributes or not, store discount cards, company performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance.
* Average wage taken June 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information # # #
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