Walmart Brings Groceries and Jobs to Parker
New Walmart provides shopping convenience and value, and 190 jobs PARKER, Ariz., July 1, 2009 – A new Walmart opens this month in Parker, bringing 190 new jobs and savings for local shoppers. Nonprofit organizations will also benefit from the retailer’s ongoing charitable contributions and support for community projects. The Walmart, located at 100 Riverside Drive, will be open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 15. "The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be working with Walmart on the new Parker store, and they have already shown that they will be a good community partner,” said Randy Hartless, executive director of the Parker Area Chamber of Commerce. “The economic impact is certainly being felt with the creation of almost two hundred new jobs and we're hopeful that the economic impact of the new store will also boost sales to existing businesses, which will increase tax revenues for La Paz County, the Town of Parker and the Colorado River Indian Tribes." Economic Impact Includes 190 New Jobs
The new Parker Walmart will employ approximately 190 associates, according to Store Manager Shannon Madrigal. Three of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years. Madrigal began her Walmart career in 1992 as an hourly sales associate at a store in Bullhead City.
Store Designed to Improve Customer Experience
In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh its stores, merchandising and customer experience. The improvements have all come together in the company’s newest stores, such as the Parker Walmart, with fast service, a friendly shopping experience and clean stores. The new Walmart features wide aisles, enhanced service and a layout designed to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers. Walmart aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently. The pharmacy, for example, is adjacent to food making it easier for customers to pick up their prescriptions while shopping for their groceries. “The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities,” said Store Manager Shannon Madrigal. “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.” 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. 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. Community Organizations Benefit from Grand Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $15,500 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented in celebration of the grand opening. The Diocesan Council for the Society of St. Vincent De Paul Diocese will receive $5,000 to help support a feeding program, and the Colorado River Regional River Crisis Shelter will receiver $3,000 to help offset operational expenses. The Parker Senior Center Committee, the City of Parker Parks and Recreation Department and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will each receive $2,500. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Parker 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. 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. The new store also operates a recycling program and will promote sustainable product purchases. Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 7 a.m., July 15
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Members of the Parker High School Band will perform the national anthem, and members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7061 will present the colors. Representatives from the Navajo, Hopi and Mojave Chemenuevi tribes will each perform a dance, and Madrigal, her three daughters and Chamber of Commerce representatives will cut the ribbon to the new store. About Walmart
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 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, July 12. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
• Store Manager Shannon Madrigal is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. She can be reached at 928-669-2161.
FACT SHEET
Parker Walmart Store facts - Location: 100 Riverside Drive, Parker, Ariz.
- 104,846-square-foot Walmart
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, following a 7 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Shannon Madrigal
- Open 6 a.m. until 11 p.m., 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, fresh produce and beer and wine
- 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 pharmacy, digital photo processing center and a Walmart Connect Center
Charitable giving - $15,500 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- City of Parker Parks and Recreation Department
- Colorado River Regional Crisis Shelter
- Diocesan Council for the Society of St Vincent De Paul Diocese
- Parker Senior Center Committee
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 190 associates
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Arizona is approximately $11.26 per hour*
- Store Manager Shannon Madrigal began her Walmart career in 1992 as an hourly associate at a store in Bullhead City.
- 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. For more information - Store manager: Shannon Madrigal, 928-669-2161
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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