Lawrence Walmart Opens with New Design
Walmart brings 250 jobs and sustainable features LAWRENCE, Kan., April 23, 2009 – A new Walmart will open in Lawrence this month, introducing the company’s next generation of store design and customer experience to the area. Customers will find fresh produce, favorite brands and unbeatable prices among the store’s wide aisles. The new store, located at 550 Congressional Blvd., will open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, April 29. Walmart worked with local officials to create a store that complements the local community. The store features an earth-tone brick and stucco façade with a single entrance. The exterior also includes pitched roofs, cupolas and copper flashing. The store’s extensive landscaping features a pond, and trees that were removed during construction have been carefully replanted. Beyond its appearance, the Lawrence Walmart, like all new Walmartludes energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store’s skylights harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily. LED lighting in the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. Low-flow toilets and faucets reduce the water used in the bathrooms and the store’s concrete floors include recycled materials. The new store will also promote sustainable product purchases, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs. Economic Impact Includes 250 New Jobs
The new store will employ approximately 250 associates, according to Store Manager Ryan Edwards. “Working for Walmart provides a number of job opportunities and career choices for many people, from seniors looking for supplemental income to young people just starting their work experience,” said Edwards. Like most Walmart store managers, Edwards started his career with the company as an hourly associate, working as a stockman at a store in Cameron, Mo., in 1992. Layout Improves Customer Experience
In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh its stores, merchandise and customer experience. The improvements have all come together in the company’s newest stores, such as the Lawrence store, bringing customers faster service, a friendlier shopping experience and cleaner stores. The new Walmart is designed to make shopping easy for customers. The layout creates an open shopping environment with wider aisles that contain no product displays. A bright interior color palette creates an inviting shopping experience and helps define the store’s merchandise areas. Lower shelving creates an improved sightline and directional signage on every aisle helps customers find what they are looking for quickly. Community Organizations Benefit from Grand Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $22,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. Associates at the Lawrence store selected the Elizabeth Ballard Community Center to receive a $5,000 grant to help with area hunger-relief efforts. Other organizations receiving grants include: Community Children’s Center, Friends of the Kaw, Lawrence Children’s Choir, Lawrence Free State High School, Lawrence Schools Foundation, Pathways Animal Assisted Therapy and The Shelter. Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 7:30 a.m., April 29
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Representatives from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps and National Guard will present the colors, and the Children’s Choir will perform the national anthem. Throughout the day, customers will be able to enjoy character appearances, product samples and giveaways. 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. 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 - Store Manager Ryan Edwards is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 785-841-1700.
FACT SHEET
Lawrence Walmart Store facts - Location: 550 Congressional Blvd., Lawrence, Kan.
- 99,840-square-foot Walmart
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Ryan Edwards
- Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Store features - Full line of groceries including a bakery, deli, meat and dairy products, fresh produce and liquor
- More than 30 merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, a lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, and a full line of electronics
- Convenience services include a pharmacy with two drive-through lanes, digital photo processing center and a Walmart Connect Center
Charitable giving - $22,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following local organizations:
- Elizabeth Ballard Community Center
- Community Children’s Center
- Friends of the Kaw
- Lawrence Children’s Choir
- Lawrence Free State High School
- Lawrence Schools Foundation
- Pathways Animal Assisted Therapy
- The Shelter
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 250 associates.
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Kansas is approximately $10.79 per hour.*
- Store Manager Ryan Edwards began his Walmart career in 1992 as a part-time hourly associate in Cameron, Mo.
- 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 February 2009. See www.walmartstores.com for details. Walmart in Kansas - As of April, Walmart employed 21,065 associates and owned and operated the following facilities in Kansas:
- Walmarts: 48
- Discount Stores: 9
- Neighborhood Markets: 3
- Sam’s Clubs: 3
- Distribution Centers: 5
See www.walmartfacts.com for more information about Walmart in Kansas. For more information - Store manager: Ryan Edwards, 785-841-1700.
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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