Walmart Supercenter Brings One-Stop Shopping to Broussard
New store expected to boost local economy BROUSSARD, La., Oct. 23, 2008 – Broussard area residents will have the added convenience of one-stop shopping with the opening of the Walmart Supercenter at 123 St. Nazaire at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29. The 184,000-square-foot store will support the local economy through 300 new jobs, low prices and additional sales tax revenue for the Broussard community. “The city of Broussard is very dedicated to cultivating commercial development,” said Councilman-at-Large Johnnie Foco. “We’re excited about the new jobs Walmart is creating. More jobs and increased sales tax revenue mean more police cars, more fire trucks, more city workers and more benefits for the city of Broussard.” The city plans to use the extra sales tax revenue generated by the new Supercenter to complete the city sewer plant and enhance other city services, Foco said. New Store Features Variety of Merchandise and Services
Walmart entered the local community in 1982 when it opened at 2310 N. Main in St. Martinville. By relocating to Broussard as a Supercenter, the store adds more than 140,000 square feet and will feature new services and merchandise. Customers will find a pharmacy, garden center, Tire & Lube Express and a full line of groceries, including liquor, fresh produce, frozen foods and bakery items. The electronics department has doubled in size and selection and takes advantage of the store’s back wall to display a large selection of flat screen, high-definition television sets. The department features popular products such as the latest digital media players, DVDs and Blu-ray discs. Supercenter to Make Holiday Shopping a Breeze
The new Supercenter will help customers get a jump on their holiday shopping while saving money. The store will feature a Christmas Shop where customers can meet all their holiday needs at affordable prices. Budget-conscious shoppers can find Christmas trees, ornaments, wrapping paper, lights and outside decor. “We believe our customers will be looking to stretch their dollars more than ever this holiday season,” said Store Manager Chris Smith. “Our store will provide affordable and convenient solutions to help customers meet their Christmas shopping needs. We look forward to offering unbeatable prices throughout the Christmas shopping season.” Supercenter Provides Career Opportunities
The new store will employ a total of 380 associates, according to Smith. The majority of jobs will be full-time. “Many associates joined because they know they have the opportunity for a long-lasting career at Walmart,” said Smith. Like most Walmart managers, Smith started his career as an hourly associate. He joined the company 12 years ago as a grocery salesclerk in Natchez, Miss. Commitment to the Environment
The Broussard Supercenter, like all new Walmart stores, was designed to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store is equipped with LED lighting that 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 baseboards are manufactured from 100 percent recycled plastic. “Walmart is setting the bar for energy efficiency in retail,” said Smith. “Simple changes can make a big difference. The store’s many skylights, for example, harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent.” 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. Waste heat from the refrigeration system is used to heat hot water for restrooms and kitchen areas. The store recycles everything from motor oil to waste cooking oil. The recycling program features a sandwich bale process that takes all loose plastic, hangers, aluminum cans and office paper and sandwiches them between cardboard, bundles them into bales and sends them to recycling centers. Grand-Opening Celebration
The store welcomes the community to attend its grand-opening celebration at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29. Walmart associate Barbara Anthony will perform the national anthem before the store’s team of long-term associates cut the ribbon, officially opening the new store for business. Community leaders including Mayor Charles Langlinais are expected to attend. Special activities will continue throughout the day and interviews and photo opportunities will be available for media representatives. The grand opening also will include presentations of $15,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to local organizations, including Food Net of Lafayette and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana. (A complete list of organizations receiving grants from the Broussard store is on Page 3.) The new store will make contributions throughout the year to help local organizations. About Walmart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart 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. Walmart proudly supports the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods and last year gave more than $296 million to communities across the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com. EDITOR’S NOTES - An invitation-only open house for Walmart associates, their families and other VIPs is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. Preview tours will be provided and reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store manager Chris Smith is available for interviews about the grand opening and can also arrange photo opportunities or preview tours. He can be contacted at 337-837-8886.
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
- The terms “Walmart” and “Walmart Stores” refer to the corporate entity. “Walmart,” expressed as one word and without hyphenation, refers to the brand name of the company’s U.S. operations. This distinction came in June after the company announced the introduction of a new logo for its U.S. store operation.
FACT SHEET
Broussard Walmart Supercenter Store fast facts - Location: 123 St. Nazaire, Broussard, La.
- Originally opened in 1982 at 2310 N. Main in St. Martinville, La.
- 184,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter, gaining approximately 140,200 additional square feet
- Grand-opening celebration: 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29
- Store manager: Chris Smith
Charitable giving
$15,000 in grants to five area organizations: - Food Net of Lafayette
- Extra Mile Region IV Inc.
- Miles Perret Center Cancer Services for Acadiana
- Louisiana Troopers Relief Fund Inc.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana
Store features - Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, liquor, apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, health and beauty aids, toys, digital photo lab, Tire & Lube Express, lawn and garden center, pharmacy, and Walmart Connect Center
- Leased areas in the store include SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, Regal Nails Salon, a McDonald’s restaurant and a branch of Woodforest Bank
- The new Supercenter will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Employment - Total employment of approximately 380 associates
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Louisiana is $10.86 per hour*
- Store Manager Chris Smith began his Walmart career in 1996 as a grocery salesclerk in Natchez, Miss.
- Walmart benefits – available to eligible full- and part-time associates – include health insurance with no lifetime maximum. Walmart 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 September 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information # # #
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