Clearwater Walmart Focuses on Freshness
New Neighborhood Market offers groceries, everyday essentials, 105 jobs CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 2, 2008 – Residents of Clearwater will soon feel at home in their new Walmart Neighborhood Market on Highland Avenue. When the store opens Jan. 7, customers will find their favorite brands and fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables grown in Florida. As part of its commitment to the community, the store will announce $24,500 in grants to local organizations. Doors to the new store will open at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. The store is located at 1803 N. Highland Ave., at the intersection of Highland and Sunset Point. The Clearwater Neighborhood Market is located in a former grocery store that closed in 2006. The entire shopping center has been renovated, complete with a new façade, additional landscaping and a freshly paved parking lot. Walmart added environmentally friendly fixtures to the 39,729-square-foot store, to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. Community leaders hope the store sparks an economic boost to the surrounding neighborhood, and nearby businesses are anticipating a surge in the number of shoppers coming back to the area. “We are so pleased to have the Walmart brand right in our community. The new Neighborhood Market will mean new jobs as well as low prices on foods and staples,” said Douglas Linder, president/CEO of the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The store also means a company known as a generous charitable giver has moved to our area.” Store to Open With 105 Associates
Upon opening, the store plans to employ approximately 105 associates. Like most Walmart store managers, Daley started his career with Walmart as an hourly associate. He joined the company in 1999, working as a cashier at a store in Branson, Mo. The average wage for full-time hourly Walmart associates in Florida is $11.30 per hour.* Walmart benefits – available to eligible full- and part-time associates – include healthcare 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. Grants Make a Difference to Local Organizations
Walmart stores nationwide traditionally award grants at their grand-opening ceremonies to help community groups and charitable organizations, underscoring Walmart’s giving philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally. The new Clearwater store has selected nine organizations to receive grand opening grants. Among the recipients is the RCS Food Bank, which will receive a $5,000 grant to support its hunger relief efforts. The Clearwater Fire Department received grants totaling $3,500 to support its Safety Village fire and safety education effort and provide gifts for its holiday children’s outreach program. EDITOR’S NOTE: A total of $24,500 in grants will be distributed. For a full listing of recipients, please see page 3. “We know that financial support to our local organizations makes a real difference, and we will play a role in continuing Walmart’s commitment to the Clearwater community,” said Store Manager Kody Daley. “Like all Walmart stores, our store will work with organizations to provide support and community grants throughout the year.” Fresh Produce and Favorite Brands
Designed as a convenient family shopping center, the 24-hour Walmart Neighborhood Market will provide the local community another destination for groceries at the Walmart value price. “Our customers will be able to find familiar brands and local products at great values, right in their own neighborhood,” Daley said. “We will have a variety of fresh produce that is grown within the state of Florida, including tomatoes, greens, cilantro, chilies, avocadoes and oranges.” The 39,729-square-foot store features a large selection of groceries including bakery goods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, and a variety of organic offerings. A selection of beer and wine will also be available. The store’s deli offers rotisserie chicken, popcorn chicken, pizza and a wide variety of fresh prepared foods including sandwiches and salads. Customers can pick up cakes, freshly made pastries and breads in the bakery. The store’s pharmacy offers drive-through service, allowing customers to pick up their prescriptions without leaving their cars. Customers will also benefit from Walmart’s popular $4 Prescription Program, which includes more than 350 generic prescriptions and 1,000 over-the-counter medications. The store’s health and beauty area features special lighting and concave fixtures not normally seen in a grocery or small retail format store. Additional areas include stationery, paper goods, pet products and household cleaning supplies. Customers can also print their own digital photos at the store. About Wal-Mart 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. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (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. 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 scheduled for 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 6, will include tours of the store. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Kody Daley is available for interviews about the grand opening. He can be reached at 727-441-4320.
- 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 after the Company announced the introduction of a new logo for its U.S. store operations in June.
*Average wage taken December 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for more details. FACT SHEET
Clearwater Walmart Neighborhood Market Store fast facts - Location: 1803 N. Highland Ave., Clearwater, Fla.
- 39,729-square-foot Walmart Neighborhood Market
- Store opening: 8 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, after 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Kody Daley
Charitable giving
$24,500 in charitable contributions to nine area organizations - City of Clearwater Fire Department
- Clearwater High School
- Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce (Teachers’ Appreciation Event)
- Clothes for Kids
- Dunedin Elementary School
- Florida Blood Services
- Homeless Emergency Project
- Kimberly Home
- RCS Food Bank
Store features - Wide variety of products, including fresh produce, fresh meat and dairy items, beer and wine, health and beauty aids, stationery and paper goods, pet supplies and household cleaning supplies.
- The store’s pharmacy features two drive-through lanes.
- Delicatessen feature wide variety of fresh prepared foods, including rotisserie chicken, sandwiches, salads and desserts.
- Bakery offers cakes and freshly baked pastries.
- Photo processing center allows customers to easily print digital photos or drop off film.
- Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Employment - 105 planned new jobs
- Store Manager Kody Daley started his career with Walmart as an hourly associate in 1999, working as a cashier at a store in Branson, Mo.
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Florida is $11.30 per hour*
- 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, business performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance
* Average wage taken December 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information
• Store Manager: Kody Daley, 727-441-4320.
• Walmart information online: www.walmartfacts.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com. # # #
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