New Albuquerque Walmart Brings Fresh Savings
New Walmart provides 450 jobs, $24,000 in community grants ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., July 1, 2009 – A new Walmart opens this month in Albuquerque, bringing 450 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, located at 2266 Wyoming Blvd., N.E., will be open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 15. Economic Impact Includes 450 New Jobs
The new Albuquerque Walmart plans to employ approximately 450 associates, according to Store Manager Alberta Garcia. More than 20 of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years. Garcia is an Albuquerque native who began her Walmart career in 1998 as an hourly sales associate at the store on Coors Parkway. “My career path at Walmart is a great example of opportunities that are available with this company,” Garcia added.
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 Albuquerque store, 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 Garcia. “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, $24,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. Albuquerque Meals on Wheels will receive $5,000 to help support programs that feed the homebound. “Walmart plays a vital role in Albuquerque’s philanthropic and economic landscape,” said Samantha Blauwkamp, executive director for Albuquerque Meals on Wheels. “They give not only monetary donations but help our community by increasing our workforce and lending the talents of their employees in assisting nonprofits through volunteering. We at Meals on Wheels are thrilled to have been chosen as a recipient of this extremely generous gift. This donation helps us continue our mission of providing nutritious meals and friendship to Albuquerque’s homebound. We can’t begin to thank them enough.” Other organizations receiving grants include Albuquerque CASA, Albuquerque Youth Symphony, All Faiths Receiving Home, Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico, City of Albuquerque fire and police departments, Friends of the Albuquerque Public Library and Prairie Dog Pals. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Albuquerque 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, July 15, for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Members of the Sandia High School ROTC will present the color. 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 p.m., Friday, July 10. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Alberta Garcia is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. She can be reached at 505-323-4131.
FACT SHEET
Albuquerque Walmart Store facts - Location: 2266 Wyoming Blvd., N.E., Albuquerque, N.M.
- 196,012-square-foot Walmart
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Alberta Garcia
- 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, fresh produce and liquor sales
- 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, vision center, digital photo processing center, Walmart Connect Center, MoneyCenter and a GamePlay arcade
- Leased areas include a SmartStyles Family Hair Salon and a McDonald’s restaurant
Charitable giving - $24,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations:
- Albuquerque CASA
- Albuquerque Meals On Wheels
- Albuquerque Youth Symphony
- All Faiths Receiving Home
- Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico
- City of Albuquerque Fire Department Station 9
- City of Albuquerque Police Department
- Friends of The Albuquerque Public Library
- Prairie Dog Pals
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 450 associates
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in New Mexico is approximately $11.54 per hour*
- Store Manager Alberta Garcia began her Walmart career in 1998 as an hourly associate at the Walmart store on Coors Bypass.
- 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: Alberta Garcia, 505-323-4131
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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