Princeton Community Welcomes New Walmart
Newly relocated Walmart provides 150 new jobs, $17,750 in local grants PRINCETON, Ky., July 1, 2009 – A new Walmart opens this month in Princeton, bringing approximately 150 planned new jobs, savings for local shoppers and an increase in tax revenue to support the area’s economy. Nonprofit organizations will also benefit from the retailer’s ongoing charitable contributions and support for community projects. The Walmart, newly located at 1500 US Highway 62 West, will be open to customers at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 15. 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 Princeton Walmart. The new Walmart features wide aisles, enhanced services 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 the new bakery, deli and produce departments 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 Allen Dixon. “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. Approximately 150 new jobs were created as a result of the relocation. More than 65 of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years, including 18 associates who have worked at the Princeton store for more than 20 years. The store originally opened in 1978. Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $17,750 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. The following organizations will each receive funds to support programs that serve the community, including a special $5,250 grant to Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Inc. Additional recipients include The Caldwell County Public Library and Helping Hands of Trigg County, Inc., both receiving a $2,750 grant each and Bright Life Farms, Inc. which is receiving a $2,500 grant. In addition, the store is providing grants to Community Disciples, Inc. and the Caldwell County Animal Shelter as well as to five Sam Walton Community Scholarship winners. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Princeton 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 7:30 a.m., July 15
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ceremony will include a performance of the national anthem, a presentation of colors and store associates who have worked at the store for more than 20 years will help 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 VIPs is scheduled from 6 - 8 p.m., Monday, July 13. It will include preview tours and check presentations to five Sam S. Walton Community Scholarship recipients. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Allen Dixon is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 270-365-7692.
FACT SHEET
Princeton Walmart Store facts - Location: 1500 US Highway 62 West, Princeton, Ky.
- Formerly located at 500 US Highway 62 West
- 173,000-square-foot Walmart, gaining 98,000 additional square feet
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Allen Dixon
- 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 pharmacy, digital photo processing center, Walmart Connect Center, and a tire and lube express automotive department.
Charitable giving - $17,750 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations
- Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Inc.
- Bright Life Farms, Inc.
- Caldwell County Public Library
- Helping Hands of Trigg County, Inc.
- Community Disciples, Inc.
- Caldwell County Animal Shelter
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 300 associates, including 150 new positions created by the relocation
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Kentucky is approximately $11.34 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 February 2009. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information - Store manager: Allen Dixon, 270-365-3666.
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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