Walmart Brings Savings and Convenience to Gurnee
Store expansion provides 100 new jobs GURNEE, Ill., Aug. 12, 2009 – The wait is over for residents in Gurnee eager to see their Walmart at 6590 Grand Ave. bring savings to local shoppers on a full line of groceries and a wide assortment of new products and services. The newly expanded Walmart was re-designed with the latest in Walmart’s store design and customer experience including a new layout that makes shopping even easier for customers. The store will debut the changes to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 19, after a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. The store originally opened in 1991 in Gurnee. The store was expanded to provide customers a full line of groceries such as fresh produce, meat, dairy, deli, bakery and more. The store’s electronics department was also expanded to bring shoppers latest in consumer electronics and home entertainment. “We have a loyal customer base and some have been shopping here since our original opening,” said store manager Alfredo Rivera. “We think they’ll love the easy-to-shop layout of the new Walmart and appreciate the savings we offer on the products they are looking for.” 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 Gurnee 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 Rivera. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase, we are making one-stop shopping even easier.” The store’s new design features wide aisles, enhanced service and a layout designed to make shopping easier by aligning the departments that customers shop most frequently. Lower shelving creates an improved sightline and directional signage on every aisle helps customers find what they are looking for quickly. Expanded Walmart Adds 100 New Jobs
The store plans to employ approximately 250 associates, including approximately 100 positions added for the expansion. “Joining Walmart was a great career decision for me, as it has been for so many of my fellow associates,” Rivera said. “As a native of Chicago, I am proud to work for this company where there are unlimited opportunities and bring those opportunities to our community and neighbors.” Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Gurnee store, 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 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. Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants
The store is continuing its support of the area by giving $25,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to local organizations. That support includes grants to the Special Education District of Lake County, Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, Disabled Patriot Fund, Youth Conservation Corps and the American Cancer Society. Back-to-School Savings
The new Gurnee Walmart will open just in time for customers to find additional savings on back-to-school merchandise. Showcasing its ongoing commitment to unbeatable* prices, Walmart has a selection of $9 product offerings that make it easy to do the math when it comes to adding up savings on everything you need to start the school year off right. The $9 offers include a diverse collection of back-to-school necessities ranging from backpacks to socks and eyeglass frames to folders. “With great brands at great prices, we are helping students going back to school or off to college get the things they need and want, and helping mom to accommodate her budget,” said Rivera Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 8 a.m., Wednesday Aug. 19
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Throughout the day, customers will be able to enjoy character appearances, product samples and giveaways. 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 $378 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. *Our stores will match the price of any local competitor's printed ad for an identical product. Not applicable to Walmart.com. Restrictions apply. See store for details. EDITOR’S NOTES - Store Manager Alfredo Rivera is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 847-855-1230.
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
FACT SHEET
Gurnee Walmart Store facts - Location: 6590 Grand Ave.
- 177,000-square-foot Walmart, gaining an additional 55,000 square feet
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19 following a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Alfredo Rivera
Store features - Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce
- More than 30 merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, a lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, and a full line of electronics
- Convenience services include a pharmacy, digital photo processing center and a Walmart Connect Center
- Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Charitable giving - $25,000 in charitable contributions from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations:
- Special Education District of Lake County
- Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center
- Disabled Patriot Fund
- Youth Conservation Corps
- American Cancer Society
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 250 associates, including approximately 100 positions added for the expansion.
- 44 of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Illinois is approximately $11.79 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 July 2009. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For More Information - Store Manager Alfredo Rivera is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 847-855-1230.
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
# # #
Click the links below to add this entry to social networking sites.
|
|
|