Sault Ste. Marie Community Welcomes New Walmart
Newly relocated Walmart provides 175 new jobs, $22,000 in local grants SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., July 1, 2009 – A new Walmart opens this month in Sault Ste. Marie, bringing approximately 175 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 3763 I-75 Business Spur, will be open to customers at 8 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 Sault Ste. Marie 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 Deb LaRue. “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. Customers will immediately notice the expanded electronics department along the back wall, which also includes the digital photo lab and Walmart Connect Center for cellular phones. Walmart also combined the customer service desk and the site to store pick-up location all 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 175 new jobs were created as a result of the relocation. Fifty-four of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years. Store Manager Deb La Rue started as an hourly associate at the Sault Ste. Marie store when it originally opened in 1992, along with 21 other associates. 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. The following organizations will each receive funds to support programs that serve the community: Second Harvest, Bayliss Public Library, Habitat for Humanity, EUP Learning Center, Northern Transitions, Diane Peppler Resource Center, Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action, Consolidated Community Schools, Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie Theater Project, Boys and Girls Club of Bay Mills and Hospice Care of Chippewa County. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Sault Ste. Marie 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 refund bottle 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. Store associate Patrick McConnell will perform the national anthem and members of the Sault Ste. Marie American Legion will present the colors. Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Anthony Bosbous along with members of the Chamber of Commerce will also be at the grand-opening festivities. Store associates who have worked at the store since its original opening in 1992 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 grant recipients and other VIPs is scheduled at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, July 12. It will include preview tours. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Deb LaRue is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. She can be reached at 906-632-0572.
FACT SHEET
Sault Ste. Marie Walmart Store facts - Location: 3763 I-75 Business Spur, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
- Formerly located at 4516 I-75 Business Spur
- 203,000-square-foot Walmart, gaining 91,000 additional square feet
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Deb LaRue
- 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, fresh produce and a full liquor department
- 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, a vision center, a digital photo processing center, Walmart Connect Center and family fun center
- Leased space includes a Subway restaurant
Charitable giving - $22,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations
- Second Harvest
- Bayliss Public Library
- Habitat for Humanity
- EUP Learning Center
- Northern Transitions
- Diane Peppler Resource Center
- Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action
- Consolidated Community Schools
- Lake Superior State University
- Sault Ste. Marie Theater Project
- Boys and Girls Club of Bay Mills
- Hospice Care of Chippewa County
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 425 associates, including approximately 175 new positions added
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Michigan is approximately $11.39 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: Deb LaRue, 906-632-0572.
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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