Argentina
Walmart Argentina began in August 1995 with a Sam’s Club in Avellaneda, near Buenos Aires. The first Supercenter opened nearby a few months later. In October 2007, we announced the acquisition of three Auchan stores in Argentina, and as a result, we’ve converted stores in La Tablada, Quilmes and Avellaneda into Walmart Supercenters. The current President and CEO of Walmart Argentina is Ezequiel Gómez Berard. Our headquarters are located in Buenos Aires. For more information, please visit http://www.Wal-mart.com.ar/walmart_arg.php. Community 
We are proud to support our local communities and in 2008 raised and contributed more than US$395,000 through company, associate and customer donations. In June 2008, we received recognition from the governor of the Autonomy City of Buenos Aires for our commitment to the community. In March and April 2009, through the “Good libraries. Good neighbors” program, we promoted reading among children and families. As a part of this initiative, an NGO hosted training courses at libraries located near our stores. Children and customers were invited to be part of the workshops we offered for free, which focused on reading as well as the promotion of nearby libraries. We have received recognition for our work around education from the “National Education Ministry,” deputies of the national congress, and the legislatures of the provinces of Mendoza and Corrientes. In March 2009, we ended the seventh edition of our “Do a lot with a little” campaign. From November 2008 to March 2009, we raised more than US$74,000 as a result of customer contributions. This campaign invites customers to donate part of the change they receive upon check-out at our stores. The money is used to fund building improvements and program development at each of the social promotional centers of Cáritas Argentina that we work with, and other charitable institutions such as “La Obra del Padre Mario,” “El Hospital Alassia,” “La Fundación del Nuevo Hospital," and ALCEC (NGO that works to prevent cancer). Since the campaign’s launch, we have raised US$485,000. Sustainability In November 2008, we formally launched our reusable bag program, making us the first retailer in Argentina to offer customers reusable bags. More than 80,000 bags were sold in the first year. In April 2009, we launched Earth Month in all our stores, which focused on increasing the awareness of eco-friendly products. We offered customers nearly 400 products that consumed less energy consumption, products made with recycled materials, and organic products. Education material is also included in the assortment. Nearly 50 suppliers participated, including Unilever, GE, Philips, P&G, among others. Together with Coca-Cola, we launched a campaign to recycle PET bottles, inviting customers to bring bottles to the recycling stations at several of our stores. With the recycled materials, companies built playground equipment to donate to nearby schools. Since launching the program, we have collected more than 44 tons of containers from landfills, which were given to cooperatives of urban scavengers, identified by AVINA Foundation, providing them a source of income. Opportunity In November 2009, we received a Corporate Citizenship award from the American Chamber of Commerce in Argentina for our “Transforming Optimism” in conjunction with Coca-Cola Argentina. It is an initiative to encourage customers to become change agents and promotes separating waste at home. The campaign was carried out with the support of AVINA Foundation. In October 2009, we announced to President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner a total investment of approximately USD $156 million for 2010 (FY11), which represents approximately 1,600 new jobs created for Argentine citizens. Through our PyMe program, we help identify and develop local companies become productive, regional suppliers. Today, more than 160 of these companies sell their products in Walmart stores, including cheese, pasta, fresh eggs, milk, yogurt, desserts and ice cream.
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