Walmart Brings Fresh Savings to O'Fallon
Expanded store adds full line of groceries and 120 new jobs O’FALLON, Mo., June 24, 2009 – The wait is over for residents in O’Fallon eager to see their Walmart at 1307 Hwy. K bring savings on a full line of groceries and a wide assortment of new products and services. The newly expanded Walmart is designed to make shopping easier for customers. The layout creates an open shopping environment with wider aisles that contain no product displays. Walmart also aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently. The store will open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 1, after a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. The store, which is located at O’Fallon Point Shopping Center, originally opened in 1998. The expansion has increased the store’s size by more than 81,000 square feet including a full line of groceries such as fresh produce and meat, a deli and a bakery. “Walmart has a long history in O’Fallon, and we are grateful for the company’s continued support of our community’s events, local sports teams and our local charities,” said Shashi Pathak, director of economic development for the City of O’Fallon. “This expansion will ensure that the company remains a vital part of our community, provide additional retail options for our residents and, perhaps most importantly in these difficult economic times, it will create approximately 120 additional jobs for our residents.” Expanded Walmart Adds 120 New Positions
The store plans to employ over 400 associates, including approximately 120 positions added by the relocation. “Walmart provides good, secure jobs that give associates and opportunity to build careers,” said Store Manager Brad Lathrop. “We have 40 associates who have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years.” Layout Improves Customer Experience
In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh its stores, its merchandise and its customer experience. The improvements have all come together in the company’s newest stores, such as the O’Fallon store, with faster service, a friendlier shopping experience and cleaner stores. “The layout of the stores is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities at our unbeatable prices,” said Lathrop. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase including health and beauty and pet supplies, we are making one-stop shopping even easier.” Lower shelving creates an improved sightline and directional signage on every aisle helps customers find what they are looking for quickly. Walmart also combined the customer service desk, site to store pick-up location and photo lab in one area near the entrance. Customers now have easy access to these services, as well as associates on hand to help meet their needs. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The O’Fallon store, like all new Walmartludes energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store’s 150 skylights harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily. LED lighting throughout the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. Part of the cement used in the concrete flooring is made with recycled materials, and the floor’s finish reduces the need for chemical cleaners. Low-flow toilets and faucets reduce the water used in the bathrooms. Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 8 a.m., July 1
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 8 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Members of American Legion Post #388 will present the colors, and associates who were working for the store at its original opening in 1998 will cut the ribbon to officially open the expanded store. Throughout the day, customers will be able to enjoy character appearances, product samples and giveaways. Store Facts - Location: 1307 Hwy. K, O’Fallon, Mo.
- 210,637-square-foot Walmart, gaining an additional 81,192 square feet
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, following a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Brad Lathrop
- Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Store Features - Full line of groceries including a bakery, a deli serving fresh food and meal solutions for moms, meat and dairy products and fresh produce
- More than 30 merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, a lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, and an expanded electronics department
- Convenience services include a Walmart MoneyCenter, Tire & Lube Express, portrait studio, pharmacy, vision center, digital photo processing center and Walmart Connect Center
- Leased areas and services include a Blimpie’s restaurant and SmartStyle Family Hair Care salon
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 415 associates, including approximately 120 positions created by the expansion.
- Forty associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years.
- Thirty-eight associates have worked at the store since it originally opened in 1998.
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Missouri is approximately $11.28 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, company performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance
* Average wage taken May 2009. See www.walmartstores.com for details. About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart Stores, 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 for grant recipients and other VIPs is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 30. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Brad Lathrop is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 636-980-3700.
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