Willow Grove Residents Gain Wal-Mart Supercenter Convenience
Store features environmentally friendly design, offers local favorites WILLOW GROVE, Pa., May 2, 2008 – Willow Grove shoppers will soon be able to shop closer to home and save money on their groceries when the new Wal-Mart Supercenter opens Wednesday, May 7. The newly relocated store was designed to cater to local tastes and was built with energy efficient and environmentally friendly features. Customers can get a firsthand look at the wide selections and new features of the store after a 7:30 a.m. grand opening ceremony. The store, originally opened in 2002 at 200 Blair Mill Road in Horsham, is now located at 2101 Blair Mill Road in Willow Grove. Store Manager Bill Zobel said the store offers local favorites such as Tastykake products, Bucks County Coffee, Rosenberger’s Dairies, Turkey Hill Dairy and Amoroso Bakery. “Our customers can rely on us to find values on everything they need in one-stop, including their favorite brands from local suppliers,” Zobel said. “We want to make sure that we offer products and services that are relevant to our customers and meet the needs of this community.” The largest area of growth for the store is the addition of a complete grocery department offering shoppers a wide selection of fresh groceries and prepared foods. Customers will find a fresh bakery with custom birthday cakes, an array of side dishes to complement the freshly prepared meals in the delicatessen, a frozen food section, meat department, dairy and a selection of organic foods. Wal-Mart Supercenter Designed with the Environment in Mind
The store features a façade with intricate masonry design incorporated into the brick exterior and was constructed with energy efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The new store features skylights that harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily. The freezer cases and non-sales areas of the store have LED lights and sensors that automatically shut off the lights when those areas are unoccupied or customers are not present. 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. “The new store aligns with the company’s goal to be a good steward of the environment,” Zobel said. “The features in the store, as well as our recycling efforts and sustainable product sales are all ways we try to meet that goal.” Plastic hangers, aluminum cans and office paper from the store are sandwiched between cardboard, bundled into bales and sent to recycling centers. New Store Brings Local Jobs, Opportunities
The store plans to employ approximately 450 local residents and has added 270 new associates to help serve shoppers. “It makes me proud to work for a company where there are unlimited opportunities,” said Zobel. “Many associates joined because they know they have the opportunity for a long-lasting career at Wal-Mart.” Like three-fourths of Wal-Mart store management, Zobel started his own career with the company as an hourly associate. He joined the company in 1996 as an hourly associate at a store in Fairless Hills. Wal-Mart Contributes $33,000 to Community Organizations
The new Willow Grove Supercenter will continue Wal-Mart’s support for the local community by contributing $33,000 to local charitable organizations. That support includes a $10,000 contribution to the Second Alarmers Association and Rescue Squad of Montgomery County which will be used to buy new technology for their rescue units. The police department will receive $7,500 in grants to buy camera equipment for the police cars. The store will also contribute $5,000 to the Upper Moreland Parks and Recreation Department to put a safety surface under playground equipment. (Editors note: For a complete list of grant recipients, please see page 3 of this release.) “We realize financial support to local organizations helps make a real difference in the community,” Zobel said. “We are thrilled to provide these grants as part of our grand opening celebration and we will continue to play a leadership role in supporting the needs of our community.” The store plans to give donations away locally throughout the year. Area organizations can contact the store to inquire about grants and opportunities to raise money outside store locations throughout the year. Wal-Mart Puts Customers in Charge of Economic Stimulus Spending
As economic stimulus payments begin to be distributed, Wal-Mart is giving customers the freedom to spend their dollars on what they and their families need. All Wal-Mart stores, including the Willow Grove Supercenter, will cash economic stimulus checks for free – with no purchase required. Wal-Mart has also lined up rollbacks and additional price savings in the coming weeks on items throughout the store to help shoppers stretch their dollars. Ribbon-cutting Celebration 7:30 a.m., May 7
Community and business leaders will join Wal-Mart associates for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 7, 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.
• An invitation-only open house for VIPs, Wal-Mart associates and their families is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Preview tours will be provided and checks will be presented to representatives from community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome. Sen. Stuart Greenleaf, Upper Moreland Commissioners, Willow Grove Township Manager David A. Dodies and grant recipients are expected to attend the preview night. Wal-Mart in Pennsylvania
Click here for more information about Wal-Mart in Pennsylvania.
As of April 2008, Wal-Mart employed 50,562 associates and owned and operated the following facilities in the state of Pennsylvania:
• Supercenters: 83
• Discount Stores: 41
• Sam’s Clubs: 23
• Distribution Centers: 4 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
• Bill Zobel, store manager, can provide details about the grand opening, offer quotes for interviews and arrange for photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 215-830-8370.
• Statements and quotes on behalf of Wal-Mart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees. FACT SHEET
Willow Grove Wal-Mart Supercenter Store facts
• Location: 2101 Blair Mill Road, Willow Grove, Pa.
• 203,561-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter
• Store opens at 8 a.m., Wednesday, May 7, after a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
• Store manager: Bill Zobel Store features
• Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products and fresh produce. Merchandise departments include apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids and a full line of electronics.
• Convenience services include vision center, one-hour photo center, Wal-Mart Connect Center and a pharmacy.
• Leased areas and services include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, Regal Nails salon, a Subway restaurant and a branch of Woodforest National Bank.
• Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week Charitable giving
$33,000 in charitable contributions to area organizations including:
• Friends of Briar Bush
• North Penn Valley Boys and Girls Club, Inc.
• Second Alarmers Association and Rescue Squad of Montgomery County, Inc.
• Upper Moreland Township Parks and Recreation Department
• Upper Moreland Township Police Department Employment
• Store plans to employ approximately 440 associates upon its opening, including 270 new associates.
• Store Manager Bill Zobel started his Wal-Mart career in 1996 as an hourly associate at a store in Fairless Hills.
• 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. For more information
• Bill Zobel, 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 215-830-8370.
• Statements and quotes on behalf of Wal-Mart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
• Wal-Mart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com # # #
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