A First in Fairbanks - A Wal-Mart Supercenter
Added grocery and expanded inventory meet the needs of the community FAIRBANKS, Alaska, June 18, 2008 – Shoppers in the ‘Golden Heart of Alaska’ will now have the chance to save more money on groceries and other amenities as the Fairbanks Wal-Mart officially becomes a Supercenter on Wednesday, June 25. The store originally opened in 2004 as a discount store at 537 Johansen Expressway and now four years later will offer a wider selection of merchandise to serve the community. Store associates will host the community for a special grand opening ceremony at 7:30 a.m. with the doors opening at 8 a.m. “On-the-go shoppers and those in need of bulk supplies from remote areas will find an extensive inventory to meet their needs,” said Store Manager Tim Erickson. “We’re hearing that some shoppers may come from as far away as 400 miles, so we know how important our expanded selection of merchandise will be to our customers,” he added. The store’s expansion to a Supercenter means local residents will now be able to save money on a full line of groceries, including fresh produce, bakery items and prepared foods from the deli. Customers will also find a new souvenir section with apparel and accessories promoting the Fairbanks area. Upon its grand opening, the store will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ongoing Commitment to Community
While many of the store’s features are new, Wal-Mart’s commitment to the Fairbanks community is not. Since its opening four years ago, the store and associates have steadily supported the local community and charitable groups. And to celebrate the grand opening, store associates will present a total of $18,000 in grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation to eight local organizations. One of the grant recipients is the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, which will receive $2,500 from the Wal-Mart Foundation. The store also provides financial support to the food bank and store associates provide volunteer support by assembling food boxes each month. “We really appreciate the way Wal-Mart has stepped forward with their no-waste policy and their recycling initiatives,” said Samantha Kirstein, the food bank’s executive director. “We are proud to partner with such a forward-thinking company and are very appreciative of the time and community resources that the associates at this store are willing to share.” Expansion Brings Store’s Total Employment to 550
According to Erickson, the store’s expansion provides an additional 150 planned new jobs, bringing the store’s total employment to approximately 550. The majority of those jobs are full-time positions, and the average hourly wage for full-time associates in Alaska is $12.43 per hour.* Twenty store associates have worked for Wal-Mart for more than 10 years. Erickson began his Wal-Mart career 11 years ago as an overnight stocker at a store in Gillette, Wyo. Environmentally Friendly Features Promote Sustainability
Like all new Wal-Mart stores, the Fairbanks store was built with features to reduce energy consumption and minimize waste. 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. Water flow is regulated in the store’s bathrooms through the use of sensor-activated faucets in the sinks and high-efficiency toilets and urinals that regulate water flow and reduce consumption. Turbines in the faucets actually generate the electricity that powers those sensors. The new store is also committed to offering products that are affordable and sustainable. Wal-Mart in Alaska
Click here for more information about Wal-Mart in Alaska. As of June 2008, Wal-Mart employed 3,021 associates and owned and operated the following facilities in Alaska: - Supercenters: 3
- Discount Stores: 5
- Sam’s Clubs: 3
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
• Tim Erickson, 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 907-451-9900.
• Statements and quotes on behalf of Wal-Mart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
* Average wage taken June 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for more details. FACT SHEET
Fairbanks Wal-Mart Supercenter Store fast facts - Location: 537 Johansen Expressway, Fairbanks, Alaska
- Originally opened in 2004
- 245,310 square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter, gaining 74,560 additional square feet
- Grand opening celebration: 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 25; doors open at 8 a.m.
- Store manager: Tim Erickson
Charitable giving
$18,000 in charitable contributions will be provided to area organizations including: - Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Anchorage
- City of Fairbanks Northstar Borough Public Library
- Fairbanks Community Food Bank Service
- Fairbanks Rescue Mission
- Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living
- Literacy Council of Alaska
- North Star Volunteer Fire Department
- Northwest Resource Associates
Store features - Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, health and beauty aids, electronics and home entertainment department, toys, Tire & Lube Express, Vision Center, portrait studio, one-hour photo lab, pharmacy, family fun center, Wal-Mart Connect Center, garden center and souvenir department.
- Leased areas in the store include SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, Denali Federal Credit Union branch bank and Subway restaurant.
- Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Employment - The store will employ a total of approximately 550 associates, creating 150 new jobs.
- The average hourly wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates in Alaska is $12.43 per hour.*
- Store Manager Timothy Erickson began his Wal-Mart career in 1997 as an overnight stocker at a store in Gillette, Wyo.
- 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 June 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information # # #
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