Wal-Mart Designed to Maximize Convenience, Minimize Energy Use
New store brings fresh shopping experience to Northeast Springfield SPRINGFIELD, Mo., June 4, 2008 – Springfield residents will find more than great values, wide product selections and shopping convenience when Wal-Mart opens the first phase of the new Supercenter, located at 1923 E. Kearney, on Wednesday, June 11. The inviting landscape of native trees and shrubs and the refreshing exterior colors will welcome customers eager to shop for a variety of merchandise at Wal-Mart prices. The store design also reflects Wal-Mart’s commitment to sustainability with energy saving features throughout. Area residents can get a firsthand look at the new store following a 7:15 a.m. grand opening ceremony. The Kearney and Glenstone intersection serves as a gateway for students and visitors to the Springfield community and the new Wal-Mart store reflects the positive economic development in Northeast Springfield. "The growth of Wal-Mart at the Kearney store mirrors the growth of our community from a small city to a regional retail hub to the state's third largest metropolitan area," says Mayor Tom Carlson. “We are very pleased that Wal-Mart is a business partner in the Springfield community.” Local customers familiar with the Kearney Street Wal-Mart, which began serving the Springfield community in 1978, will notice changes inside and out. New interior design elements create a more convenient shopping experience with wider aisles, lowered shelves and vinyl-wood floors in the apparel departments. Easy-to-read signage also helps shoppers navigate through the various departments. “We have a loyal customer base and some have been shopping here since our original opening 30 years ago,” says Store Manager Mildred C. Weber. “We are looking forward to bringing expanded selections at great Wal-Mart prices.” Supercenter Opens in Two Construction Phases
Wednesday’s grand opening marks the completion of the first phase to create a Supercenter at the Kearney store. The first phase brings customers a wider variety of general merchandise and a limited selection of grocery staples such as dry goods and beverages. The lawn and garden center has expanded and increased the selection of grills and outdoor furniture and also features drive-through accessibility for loading plants, mulch and other landscaping items. The second phase of the Wal-Mart Supercenter will equip the store with a full line of groceries, a bakery, fresh meats, produce and deli items, and begins construction Monday, June 16. The complete Supercenter is set to open early next year. Focus on Sustainability
The new store was constructed with energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store features more than 50 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. Store Opening Creates 155 Planned New Jobs
The store plans to employ approximately 300 associates, including 155 planned new jobs. Twelve associates have worked at the store since its opening and 15 associates have worked for Wal-Mart for at least 20 years. The 12 original associates will be recognized during the grand opening festivities. “I started with Wal-Mart as an hourly associate in 1985 in Bartlesville, Okla.,” says Weber. “Wal-Mart offers more than a job, it is an opportunity to build a career.” History of Community Giving Continues
As a part of the grand opening celebration, store leaders will present $20,000 in grants to local non-profit groups, including $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield to support its after-school programs. Ozarks Food Harvest will also receive a $5,000 grant. (See page 3 for a full list of grant recipients.) “We appreciate Wal-Mart's contributions to the community through its long-standing commitment to offer support to a wide variety of local activities. It's exciting to see another large commitment of grants to local non-profit organizations as part of the grand-opening celebration,” says Mayor Carlson. Grand Opening Activities Scheduled
The grand opening ceremony will begin at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, June 11. The colors will be presented, Samantha Thomas of Hillcrest High School will perform the national anthem, and Bob Roberts, minister of Springfield Missions, will lead the invocation. Store Manager Mildred C. Weber and other members of the store’s management team will cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the new Supercenter. Mayor Carlson, city council members and Chamber of Commerce representatives are scheduled to attend the event. 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 Monday, June 9, at 5 p.m. Preview tours will be provided and checks will be presented to some of the community organizations at this time. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- A closing ceremony for the existing Wal-Mart discount store will take place Tuesday, June 10, at 7 p.m. National guardsmen will conduct a flag ceremony to officially move the flags to the new Supercenter.
- Mildred C. Weber, 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 417-865-8730.
- Statements and quotes on behalf of Wal-Mart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
FACT SHEET
Springfield Wal-Mart Supercenter Store fast facts - Location: 1923 E. Kearney, Springfield, Mo.
- 184,212-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter
- Grand opening celebration: 7:15 a.m., Wednesday, June 11; doors to open at 8 a.m.
- Preview night: Monday, June 9, 5 p.m. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Closing flag ceremony for Wal-Mart discount store: Tuesday, June 10, 7 p.m.
- Store manager: Mildred C. Weber
Charitable giving
$20,000 in charitable contributions will be provided to area organizations including: - Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield
- Bridges for Youth
- Drug Enforcement Administration Survivors Benefit Fund
- Fair Haven Children’s Home
- Junior League of Springfield
- National Kidney Foundation
- Ozarks Food Harvest
- Special Olympics Missouri
Store features - Dry groceries, apparel and accessories, toys, books, infant section, fine jewelry, expanded electronics and home entertainment department, home décor, sporting goods, outdoor living center with drive-through accessibility, health and beauty aids, photo center, pharmacy, Wal-Mart Connect Center, Tire and Lube Express, Wal-Mart Connect Center, Wal-Mart MoneyCenter
- 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 300 associates, including 155 planned new jobs.
- The average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates in Missouri is $11.02 per hour.*
- Store Manager Mildred C. Weber began her Wal-Mart career in 1985 as a cashier in Bartlesville, Okla.
- 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 more details. For more information - Store manager: Mildred C. Weber, 417-865-8730
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