Wal-Mart Supercenter Set to Debut in Benson; Low Prices and Broad Assortments in Store for Area Shoppers
New store supports area with $35,500 in grants and more than 250 new jobs
BENSON, Ariz., Nov. 1, 2006 – Residents in Benson will no longer have to travel to Tucson or Sierra Vista to experience complete, one-stop shopping and everyday low prices when the new Wal-Mart Supercenter celebrates its grand opening on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The Supercenter is located three miles off of Interstate 10 at 201 S. Prickly Pear. Doors to the new store will open to the public at 8 a.m., following a 7:30 a.m. grand opening ceremony.
“A lot of our residents currently travel 30 to 50 miles each direction to go shopping,” says Benson Mayor George Scott. “The new Supercenter will allow those shoppers to stay close to home now and not have the added expense of driving a great distance for their needs.” Scott also anticipates the new store will bring additional shoppers into Benson both from surrounding communities and tourists traveling on I-10.
Wide Selection of Groceries and Products
Just in time for the holiday season, the new 99,700-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter has all the necessities for a Thanksgiving feast, holiday décor and gifts for loved ones. The store features a full line of groceries including a bakery, a delicatessen featuring rotisserie chicken, a frozen food section, meat, dairy and fresh produce sections, and liquor sales. The grand opening will also debut Wal-Mart’s “Toyland,” featuring the hottest toys at the coolest prices. Customers will be able to fill a child’s wish list with everything from classic favorites such as Baby Alive, digital and electronic toys, board games, and plush toy characters that come to life.
“We know our customers will love the wide selection of products we will offer and I’m pleased we’re located in such a convenient location,” says Store Manager Diane Bingham. “We look forward to welcoming our shoppers and providing a reliable, comfortable shopping experience for them.”
A customer-oriented layout, new navigational signage and flat-screen televisions suspended from the ceiling to provide shoppers with valuable information are just a few highlights of the new Supercenter. The interior of the store features earth tones, concrete floors and vinyl-wood floors in the apparel departments.
Overall, the store has 36 general merchandise departments including a full lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, home décor, a full line of accessories, apparel including Wal-Mart’s “George” line, and fine jewelry. The store also has a home entertainment and electronics department showcasing well-known consumer electronics such as MP3 players, iPods, DVD players for home or auto and high-definition televisions. Other store features include a pharmacy, a one-hour photo lab and a Wal-Mart Connect Center for wireless phone sales. The new Supercenter’s exterior exhibits a brown and tan color palette, and the interior was built with an environmentally-friendly design, with skylights and energy-efficient lighting.
The store will be open to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will include 10 full-service and four express check-out lanes.
Store to Distribute $35,500 in Community Grants; Provide Tax Boost
According to Bingham, the Benson Supercenter will announce $35,500 in donations to local charitable and civic organizations in recognition of its grand opening. Four recipients will each receive $4,000 grants, including the City of Benson Food Bank, the City of Benson Fire Department, the City of Benson Police Department and the Benson Unified School District.
Editor’s Note: To review a full list of grant recipients, please see page 4 of this press release.
In addition to the charitable donations, the Supercenter is expected to generate increased sales tax revenue for the city.
“The increase in sales tax revenue will give our city the opportunity to complete a number of projects we haven’t been able to do in the past,” says Mayor Scott. “We are in the initial stage of planning for a city pool. The tax dollars will allow us to invest back in the city such as improving our streets,” adds Scott.
“We will do all we can to support our community,” says Bingham. “We want residents to know that we not only look forward to assisting them with their shopping needs, but we thoroughly enjoy backing great community causes.”
The store will also have a budget to give donations away locally throughout the year. Organizations can contact the store to inquire about grants, matching grants and opportunities to raise dollars outside store locations throughout the year.
Store to Provide New Jobs to Community
The Supercenter plans to employ approximately 255 associates. The store had received more than 630 applications for these positions through October. The national average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates is approximately $10.11 per hour.*
“We have assembled a great team of associates at our store,” says Bingham. “We are excited to open our doors and will work hard to please our customers.” Bingham started her Wal-Mart career in 1984 as a department manager in El Paso, Texas.
Grand Opening Ceremony Details
The store welcomes the community to attend its celebration at 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 8. Associate Gene Byer will conduct the invocation at the opening ceremony, and representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will present the colors. Carla Manclester will perform the national anthem. Members of the Chamber of Commerce will cut the ribbon to officially open the new store. Mayor Scott and Benson Police Chief Glenn Nichols are scheduled to attend the event.
Wal-Mart Economic Impact in Arizona
EDITOR’S NOTE: See www.walmartfacts.com for more information about Wal-Mart in Arizona.
As of September 2006, Wal-Mart employed 28,800 associates and owned and operated the following facilities in the state of Arizona:
- Supercenters: 44
- Discount Stores: 14
- Neighborhood Markets: 10
- Sam’s Clubs: 13
- Distribution Centers: 3
In the fiscal year ended 2006, Wal-Mart collected on behalf of the state of Arizona more than $294.8 million in sales taxes and paid more than $40.4 million in state and local taxes.
About Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, more than 176 million customers visit Wal-Mart stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, Sam’s Clubs or a subsidiary location in 15 countries around the world. In each of the countries where Wal-Mart operates, the company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally. Wal-Mart is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to these local communities. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmart.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, Nov. 6, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Preview tours will be provided. Checks will be presented to representatives of the community organizations this evening. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Diane Bingham, store manager, can provide details about the grand opening, offer quotes for interviews and arrange for photo opportunities or preview tours. She can be contacted at (520) 586-0742.
* Average wage taken yearly (December 2005). See www.walmartfacts.com for more details.
FACT SHEET
Benson Wal-Mart Supercenter
Store fast facts
- Location: 201 S. Prickly Pear, Benson, Ariz.
- 99,700-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter
- First Wal-Mart Supercenter in Benson
- Store opening 8 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 8; 7:30 a.m. grand opening ceremony
- Store manager: Diane Bingham
Charitable giving
$35,500 in charitable contributions to several area organizations:
- All the Kings Horses Children’s Ranch
- Benson Bobcat Booster Club
- Benson Unified School District
- Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona
- City of Benson Butterfield Rodeo Committee
- City of Benson Fire Department
- City of Benson Food Bank
- City of Benson Food Pantry
- City of Benson Police Department
- City of Benson Public Library
- City of St. David Fire Department
- City of Tombstone Fire Department
- Cochise County Sheriff’s Department
- Cochise County Volunteer Fire Department
- Colors of Success
- District VI Advisory Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Mescal Volunteer Fire Department
- Open-Inn Inc.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Department of Arizona
Store features
- Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, full line of electronics, toys, home décor, liquor sales, pharmacy, one-hour photo lab, Wal-Mart Connect Center
- Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- 10 full-service and four express check-out lanes
Employment
- Total planned employment expected to be 255 associates.
- The national average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates is approximately $10.11 per hour.*
- Store Manager Diane Bingham began her Wal-Mart career in El Paso, Texas, in 1984 as a department manager.
- Wal-Mart benefits – available to 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, performance-based bonuses, discounted stock purchase program and life insurance.
* Average wage taken December 2005. See www.walmartfacts.com for details.
For more information
- Store manager: Diane Bingham, (520) 586-0742
- Wal-Mart information online: www.walmartfacts.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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