New Havre Wal-Mart Supercenter Brings Shoppers One-Stop Convenience, Job Opportunities and Economic Development
New store features expanded electronics, pharmacy and Tire & Lube Express; $37,500 in initial grants
HAVRE, Mont., Jan. 12, 2007 – On Jan. 19, the new Havre Wal-Mart Supercenter will open its doors to customers throughout Havre and Hill County, offering one-stop family shopping convenience, every day low prices and a number of economic benefits to the community. The Supercenter, located at 3510 Highway 2 W., is the first to open in the county. The grand opening celebration begins at 7:30 a.m., with doors officially opening at 8 a.m.
Store Manager Roberto Munguia, native to Montana, says local customers and those from the Hi-line will be pleasantly surprised by the variety and selection of brands at the new store. “The closest Supercenter is 115 miles away in Great Falls,” Munguia says. “People are excited about being able to shop closer to home in a store that makes their life easier by providing what they need all in one place.”
Jobs and economic development are also an important piece to the new Supercenter’s presence, says Havre Mayor Bob Rice. In addition to the tax revenues generated by sales at the new store, Rice says, “We anticipate that other businesses will follow Wal-Mart.” He says Havre customers often travel long distances to shop now, but the new Supercenter will “keep residents shopping at home.” The mayor also notes the store offers the community good jobs. The new Supercenter plans to employ 220 associates, the majority of which will be full-time.
Wal-Mart associates are also eligible for a variety of benefits including health and insurance benefits, 401(k), and employee discounts. The national average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates is approximately $10.11 per hour.*
Great Brands and Variety for Everyone
According to Munguia, the new 105,548-square-foot Supercenter will offer a Tire & Lube Express and a pharmacy, two new Wal-Mart services for area shoppers. The store will also feature 36 general merchandise departments including apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, a lawn and garden center and health and beauty aids. In addition, the store offers a bakery, a delicatessen, a frozen food section and meat, dairy and fresh produce sections. It will be open to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will include eight full-service and six express check-out lanes.
Other store features include a one-hour photo lab, beer and wine sales and a Wal-Mart Connect Center for wireless phone sales. The store also has expanded home entertainment and electronics departments that showcase well-known consumer electronics such as MP3 players, iPods, DVD players for home or auto and high-definition televisions.
The Supercenter will offer the latest Wal-Mart store features, including energy-saving skylights, efficiency lighting, wider aisles, and concrete and wood-laminate flooring throughout the store.
A Focus on Community
The new Havre Supercenter will announce an initial $37,500 in donations to help various organizations throughout Hill County. The store will provide three significant $5,000 grants to the following organizations:
- Bear Paw Development Corp of North Montana Hill County Court
- HELP Committee and Boys and Girls Club of the Hi-Line
- Salvation Army of Havre
Local organizations should contact the new store to inquire about giving opportunities throughout the year, including Wal-Mart grants, matching grants and events to raise dollars outside the store.
Grand Opening Activities
Local residents will take part in grand opening activities, which will be held Jan. 19, at 7:30 a.m., including the presentation of colors, the invocation and a performance of the national anthem. Other activities planned during the celebration event include numerous product samplings, costume character appearances and giveaways.
Wal-Mart Economic Impact in Montana
As of December 2006, Wal-Mart employed 4,559 associates and owned and operated the following facilities in the state of Montana:
- Supercenters: 8
- Discount Stores: 3
- Sam’s Clubs: 1
In the fiscal year ended 2006, Wal-Mart paid more than $5 million in state and local taxes in the state of Montana.
Click here to learn more about Wal-Mart in Montana
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 (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 $270 million to these local communities.
EDITOR’S NOTES
- An invitation-only open house for VIPs, Wal-Mart associates and their families is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m. Preview tours will be provided. Checks will be presented to representatives of the community organizations this evening. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Wal-Mart store employees are called associates.
- Roberto Munguia, 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 (406) 262-9162.
* Average wage taken yearly (December 2005). See www.walmartfacts.com for more details.
FACT SHEET
Havre Wal-Mart Supercenter
Store fast facts
- Location: 3510 Highway 2 W., Havre, Mont.
- 105,548-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter
- Store opening 8 a.m., Friday, Jan. 19; 7:30 a.m. grand opening ceremony
- Store manager: Roberto Munguia
Charitable giving
In addition to the $15,000 in charitable contributions to three local organizations, the store will also provide grants to the following:
- City of Havre
- City of Havre Fire Department
- City of Havre Police Department
- District IV Human Resources Development Council
- Havre Chamber of Commerce
- Havre High School
- Havre Youth Hockey Association
- Hill County Sheriff’s Department
- Montana State University – Northern Foundation
Store features
- Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products and fresh produce, apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, full line of electronics, Tire & Lube Express, one-hour photo lab, pharmacy, beer and wine sales, Wal-Mart Connect Center
- Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Eight full-service and six express check-out lanes
Employment
- 220 planned new jobs
- Majority of jobs are full-time.
- The national average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates is approximately $10.11 per hour.*
- Approximately 76 percent of Wal-Mart store managers started as hourly associates.
- 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: Roberto Munguia, (406) 262-9162
- Wal-Mart information online: www.walmartfacts.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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