New San Jacinto Wal-Mart Supercenter Opens With Focus on Community and Convenience
Store receives 2,500 applications for 420 new jobs; provides $28,000 in charitable donations
SAN JACINTO, Calif., May 2, 2007 – Area residents will gain a fresh new shopping choice as well as an employer and community supporter when the San Jacinto Wal-Mart Supercenter celebrates its official grand opening on Wednesday, May 9, at 7:30 a.m. The store is located at 1861 S. San Jacinto Ave. Doors open to the public at 8 a.m.
The new Supercenter offers a complete, one-stop shopping experience with a wide assortment of products and services as well as countless on-trend products and creative ideas. Shoppers can drop off a prescription to be filled or photos to be processed while they browse the store and find simple springtime meal suggestions in the grocery department, high-definition TVs in electronics, this season’s latest fashions and brands in the apparel departments, and an endless variety of Mother’s Day cards and gift items.
More than 2,500 Applicants for 420 New Jobs
According to Lisa Flores, store manager, the new Supercenter has received a great response from area residents who have applied for the hundreds of new jobs. The store received nearly 2,500 applications for the 420 newly created positions and plans to employ more than 550 associates upon opening.
“I was born and raised in the San Jacinto Valley, and I am proud to see my local community excited about working here. There are so many career opportunities available at Wal-Mart,” said Flores. “Just like three-quarters of all other store managers, I began my Wal-Mart career as an hourly associate.” Flores joined Wal-Mart 15 years ago working in the men’s apparel department in Hemet. Of Flores’ associate team she has assembled in the new store, 14 have worked for Wal-Mart for more than 10 years.
The average wage for full-time hourly associates at Wal-Mart in California is $10.77 per hour.* As of March 2007, Wal-Mart employed 71,023 associates in the state of California. Including the newest Wal-Mart Supercenter in San Jacinto, the company currently owns and operates the following facilities in the state:
• Supercenters: 25
• Discount Stores: 145
• Sam’s Clubs: 37
• Distribution Centers: 9
A Focus on Community - $28,000 in Initial Grants to Support Local Organizations
Area dignitaries and local representatives will be on hand to share in the grand opening celebration, according to Flores. One of the highlights will be the announcement and distribution of $28,000 in grants by the store to local schools, civic and charitable organizations.
“As the newest member of the San Jacinto community, we are proud to provide financial support to organizations that are making a positive difference,” said Flores. For example, the store is donating a total of $7,000 in grants to various student organizations at San Jacinto High School. These grants will be used to purchase much-needed equipment, uniforms and instruments for the students. A $5,000 grant will be given to the San Jacinto Police Activities League to help purchase supplies for its after-school youth programs. (Editors note: For a complete list of grant recipients, please see page 3 of this release.)
Like all Wal-Mart stores, the San Jacinto Supercenter will provide grant dollars throughout the year to help local groups. Organizations interested in learning more about receiving funding from Wal-Mart or fundraising withat Wal-Mart can contact the store for details or go to www.walmartfoundation.org.
Store Merchandise and Services Offer Convenience
Customers will find convenience through the new store’s wide array of products and services available. According to Flores, the 207,773-square-foot Supercenter offers a broad product mix reflecting the needs of the growing San Jacinto community. The store includes 36 different departments such as: an expanded home furnishing trends department, featuring GE’s sleek new line of exclusive SELECT edition® series small appliances; an attractive home products area designed with a cherry wood backdrop; a large infants section complete with a wide selection of baby cribs, youth furniture and car seats. In addition, shoppers will find an expanded electronics department stocked with the latest MP3 players, DVD players and other popular items such as high-definition and plasma TVs. Family apparel departments will offer Wal-Mart’s popular George© clothing line. Shoppers will also enjoy the wide selection of health and beauty aids, household needs, toys, jewelry, shoes and a complete liquor department.
The new Supercenter also provides customers with a convenient one-stop shopping experience through services such as: a Tire & Lube Express, a vision center, a pharmacy with two drive-through lanes, an expanded lawn and garden center, a one-hour photo lab and a portrait studio. Additional leased space and services include a McDonald’s restaurant, a Hair Works Hair Salon, and a Regal Nails salon.
In addition to Wal-Mart’s many products and services, customers will enjoy the convenience of the store’s shopping hours – the new Supercenter will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will include 19 full-service, four express and four self-service check-out lanes.
The San Jacinto Supercenter will also sport a pleasing new interior design which was introduced by Wal-Mart earlier this year. The design scheme features earth tones, vinyl wood floors in apparel departments, wider aisles, and a new home décor area. Shoppers will appreciate how quick and easy it is to navigate the store, thanks to large, easy-to-read signage. The store’s environmentally-friendly features include energy-efficient skylights, compartment LED lighting in grocery freezer units and efficient concrete flooring made with recycled ash throughout.
About Wal-Mart Stores
Every week, more than 127 million 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 $270 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmartstores.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org.
EDITOR’S NOTES
• A special invitation-only open house for VIPs, Wal-Mart associates and their families is scheduled for Monday, May 7, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Preview tours will be provided. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
• Statements and quotes on behalf of Wal-Mart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
• Wal-Mart information online: www.walmartfacts.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
FACT SHEET
San Jacinto Wal-Mart Supercenter
Store Fast Facts
• Location: 1861 S. San Jacinto Ave., San Jacinto, Calif.
• 207,773-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter
• 7:30 a.m. grand opening ceremony, Wednesday, May 9; doors open at 8 a.m.
• Store manager: Lisa Flores
Store Features
• General merchandise departments include family apparel with an expanded infant section, a household organization department, health and beauty aids, household needs, expanded electronics department, toys, jewelry and shoes and a complete liquor department.
• Other special features: Tire & Lube Express, a vision center, a pharmacy with two drive-through lanes, an expanded lawn and garden center, a one-hour photo lab, a portrait studio. Additional leased space and services include a McDonald’s restaurant, a Hair Works Hair Salon, and a Regal Nails salon.
• Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Nineteen full-service, four express and four self-service check-out lanes
Employment
• 420 planned new jobs, 550 total associates, 2,500 applications
• The average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates in California is $10.77 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, performance-based bonuses, discounted stock purchase program and life insurance.
* Average wage taken December 2006. See www.walmartfacts.com for details.
Charitable Giving
$28,000 in charitable contributions to several area organizations:
• San Jacinto Police Activities League
• City of San Jacinto Police Department
• San Jacinto Community Foundation
• San Jacinto High School – Booster Club
• San Jacinto High School – Choir
• San Jacinto High School – Band
• Friends of Valley-Wide Foundation
• City of San Jacinto Fire Department
For More Information
• Lisa Flores, 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 626-814-1619.
• Wal-Mart information online: www.walmartfacts.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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