New Branson Wal-Mart Supercenter to Boost Local Economy
Grand opening celebrated with $18,000 in community grants BRANSON, Mo., June 4, 2008 – The Branson Hills retail development is home to the newest Wal-Mart Supercenter. Located at 1101 Branson Hills Parkway with easy access off of Highway 65, the new Supercenter will open at 8 a.m. June 11. Mayor Raeanne Presley said the new store will boost the local economy while providing year-round, family-friendly jobs for Branson citizens. “We are thrilled to have a new Wal-Mart Supercenter join the Branson business community,” says Presley. “Our local residents and tourists are eager to shop the new store and the new jobs will benefit our economy.” The new Supercenter is expected to serve the prospering north side of Branson, and will have easy access for the eight million vacationers who visit this popular entertainment destination each year. “Local shoppers and the Branson tourist community will find savings on everything from water sports equipment to freshly prepared food for picnics,” said Store Manager Cynthia Owens. “We are proud to save our customers money so that they can live better.” Commitment to the Community
In celebration of the grand opening, the Branson Wal-Mart Supercenter will present $18,000 in grants to eight local non-profit groups, including $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks. The organization works with approximately 450 children everyday from Branson, Hollister, Forsyth, Bradleyville, Taneyville, Kirbyville and Reeds Spring. (Editor’s note: See page three for a full list of grant recipients.) “This grant money will go towards making the lives of these kids better,” says Todd Wright, director of operations for the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks. “We have been recognized for developing fantastic after-school educational programs for our kids. This gift from Wal-Mart will help us put more money into these programs and will inspire us to do even better.” “Wal-Mart’s commitment to giving locally is again on display as the new store presents grants to our worthy area non-profit organizations,” says Presley. “I would like to thank Wal-Mart for continuing to be such a good community partner.” Like all Wal-Mart stores, the new store will provide contributions throughout the year to help neighborhood organizations. Groups interested in learning more about funding from Wal-Mart or interested in raising money at Wal-Mart stores can contact the store for details, or go to www.walmartfoundation.org. Store to Serve Locals and Tourists
The 203,710-square-foot store will have a full selection of groceries and liquor, in addition to a pharmacy with two drive-through lanes, an outdoor living center with drive-through access for loading, a digital photo lab, a Tire and Lube Express and a Wal-Mart Connect Center for wireless phone sales. Additional leased space and services include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, a Subway restaurant and a Bank Midwest branch. Shoppers can purchase tickets to a variety of shows and other events and activities at a ticket booth located in the store’s Branson souvenir shop. The shop sells t-shirts, hats and other collectibles. Other features of the store specifically designed for the large amount of tourists visiting the city include large restrooms at the front of the store and a bay to service recreational vehicles in the Tire and Lube Express. “We really tried to keep in mind the needs of both our local customer as well as the tourists when designing this store and determining its product mix,” says Owens. “Whether you’re shopping here every week for groceries, or stopping by while in town to pick up items for the lake, our selection and low prices can’t be beat.” State-of-the-Art Environmental Features Highlight Store
This new store, like all new Wal-Mart stores, was constructed with energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. Numerous skylights harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily, while 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 or associates are not present. LED lighting throughout the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. The store will also sell reusable bags for $1 each in an effort to reduce the amount of disposable plastic shopping bags it needs. For every two million reusable bags that Wal-Mart sells, it can avoid producing 100 million plastic bags, requiring the use of 1,185,000 pounds of plastic resin. Store Features Include Wal-Mart MoneyCenter and Canopy™ Brand
The new Supercenter will also have a Wal-Mart MoneyCenter to assist customers who are outside of mainstream banking with convenient access to low-cost money services, including check cashing, money orders, bill payment and money transfers. With Wal-Mart’s every day low pricing, customers can save 25 to 50 percent or more over other leading money service providers. Customers can also get a Wal-Mart MoneyCard, which is a prepaid reloadable Visa card that provides many of the features and conveniences of a checking account and credit card without a credit check or the need for a bank account. Another highlight of the store is the new expanded home furnishings department which will feature products from Wal-Mart’s new Canopy™ brand, a line of durable, affordable furniture and home accessories. The line carries furniture for every room in the home or home office as well as table and bath linens, tableware, lamps and rugs. Products in the home furnishings department will be organized by room and will feature more visible signage and displays showing how the products coordinate in a given room. 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 - An invitation-only open house for VIPs, Wal-Mart associates and their families is scheduled for Sunday, June 8, at 5 p.m. Preview tours will be provided. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Cynthia Owens, 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 417-334-2137.
- Statements and quotes on behalf of Wal-Mart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
FACT SHEET
Branson Wal-Mart Supercenter Store fast facts - Location: 1101 Branson Hills Parkway, Branson, Mo.
- 203,710-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter
- Grand opening celebration: 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 11; doors to open at 8 a.m.
- Preview night: Sunday, June 8, at 5 p.m. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store manager: Cynthia Owens
Charitable giving
$18,000 in charitable contributions will be provided to area organizations including: - American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life
- Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks
- Christian Action Ministries Food Pantry
- Lives Under Construction Ranch
- The Branson Arts Council
- Upper White River Basin Foundation
- Women’s Crisis Center of Taney County
Store features - Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, liquor sales, apparel and accessories, toys, books, infant section, fine jewelry, expanded electronics department, home décor, sporting goods, outdoor living center, health and beauty aids, digital photo lab, pharmacy with two drive-through lanes, Wal-Mart Connect Center, Tire and Lube Express, Wal-Mart MoneyCenter
- Additionally, leased areas in the store include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, a Subway restaurant and a Bank Midwest branch
- The new Supercenter will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Employment - The store plans to employ approximately 375 associates.
- The average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates in Missouri is $11.02 per hour.*
- Store Manager Cynthia Owens began her Wal-Mart career in 2000 as a sales associate in Dodge City, Kan.
- 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.
* Average wage taken May 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for details. # # #
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