Garner Wal-Mart Supercenter Yields New Grocery
Newly Relocated Store Continues 18-Year Commitment to Community GARNER, N.C., July 16, 2008 – The new Wal-Mart Supercenter on Fayetteville Road has been specially designed to fulfill the shopping needs of the local community with features that include the latest electronics, special home décor vignettes and a new approach to fresh food and produce. The Supercenter, located at 4500 Fayetteville Road, opens Wednesday, July 16, following a grand opening ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Wal-Mart announced earlier this month an effort to source more locally grown fruits and vegetables in order to keep produce prices down and offer affordable selections that are fresh and healthy. Partnerships with local farmers have grown by 50 percent over the past two years across the nation, cutting shipping costs and providing fresh food offerings. “We will have a variety of our state’s favorites from sweet potatoes to Mt. Olive Pickles and Curtis hot dogs,” said Store Manager Kimberly Kirkland. “Our shoppers will also appreciate new layout of the Supercenter which makes it convenient to shop for everything from groceries to lawn and garden supplies.” One-Stop Shopping Convenience for the Entire Family
According to Kirkland, the relocation added more than 84,000 square feet to the store and a multitude of products, services and conveniences for shoppers. The store’s complete grocery department is stocked with essentials for summer picnics and backyard parties where shoppers can pick up delicious appetizers, side dishes and chicken at the deli, order custom cakes at the bakery and stock up on dairy, fresh produce and seafood selections. Customers getting an early start to back-to-school shopping will find everything they need for the classroom, including computers and other electronics, school supplies and affordable apparel. Area residents will enjoy shopping in the store’s home furnishings department, which will feature products from Wal-Mart’s new Canopy™ brand, a line of durable, affordable furniture and home accessories. Products in the home furnishings department will be organized by room and will feature more visible signage and displays showing how the products coordinate in a given room. The new Supercenter also will have a Wal-Mart MoneyCenter to offer customers convenient access to low-cost money services, including check cashing, money orders, bill payment and money transfers. The store will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Community Involvement Continues with Grand Opening Grants
As part of Wal-Mart’s commitment to the communities in which they operate, the newly relocated store is continuing its support of the area by giving $18,000 in grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation to local charitable organizations. That support includes a $5,000 grant to the Boys and Girls Club of Wake County to assist with Project Learn, its after-school tutoring program. “Studies have shown that students who are exposed to extra curricular learning opportunities perform better on basic skills like reading and math. We are thankful for Wal-Mart’s contribution and support to the Boys and Girls Club of Wake County,” said Vice President of Operations Hugh McClean. “This donation will give more than 150 local students the chance to participate in classes ranging from art to music.” Several local schools will also receive grants including Garner High School, North Garner Middle School, Timber Drive Elementary School and the Morehead School for the Blind. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The new Supercenter was constructed with energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store features skylights that harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily. LED lighting throughout the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. Part of the cement used in the store’s concrete flooring is made with recycled materials and the floor’s finish reduces the need for chemical cleaners. Plastic hangers, aluminum cans and office paper are sandwiched between cardboard, bundled into bales and sent to recycling centers. The new store is also committed to offering products that are sustainable and affordable. Wal-Mart Brings Hometown Jobs
The store plans to employ approximately 350 associates upon opening. Due to its relocation, the Supercenter has added more than 140 jobs. “Many associates joined because they know they have the opportunity for a long-lasting career at Wal-Mart,” Kirkland said. Like the majority of Wal-Mart store management, Kirkland started her own career with the company as an hourly associate. She joined the company in 1995, working as a part-time cashier at a store in Bremen, Ga. She is one of more than 20 associates who have worked for Wal-Mart for more than 10 years. Ribbon-cutting Celebration 7:30 a.m., July 16
Community and business leaders will join Wal-Mart associates for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, and doors to the new store will open at 8 a.m. Throughout the day, activities will include numerous product samples, character appearances and giveaways. 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, July 14, at 6 p.m. Preview tours will be provided and checks will be presented to representatives from community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Statements and quotes on behalf of Wal-Mart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
FACT SHEET
Garner Wal-Mart Supercenter Store facts - Location: 4500 Fayetteville Road, Garner, N.C.
- Originally opened in 1990
- 203,819-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter, gaining an additional 84,600 square feet
- Store opens at 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, after a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
Store features - Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, beer and wine section.
- Merchandise departments include apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, lawn and garden center with drive-through loading area, health and beauty aids and a full line of electronics.
- Wal-Mart MoneyCenter, offering low-cost money services, including check cashing, money orders, bill payment and money transfers
- Convenience services include a vision center, a digital photo processing center, Wal-Mart Connect Center, family fun center and a pharmacy with two drive-through lanes.
- Leased areas and services include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, Davi Nails salon, a Subway restaurant and a branch of Woodforest Bank.
- Open 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week
Charitable giving
$18,000 in charitable contributions to seven area organizations - Boys and Girls Club of Wake County
- Garner High School
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving
- North Garner Middle School
- The Governor Morehead School for the Blind Outreach Program
- Timber Drive Elementary School
- Word of God Christian Academy
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 350 associates, including approximately 140 new positions created by the relocation.
- More than 20 of the store’s associates have worked for Wal-Mart for more than 10 years.
- The average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates in North Carolina is approximately $10.78 per hour.*
- 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
• Wal-Mart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com # # #
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