Walmart Brings Savings and Convenience to Tempe
New Walmart provides 220 jobs TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2009 – A new Walmart opens this month in Tempe, bringing 220 new jobs, savings on a full line of groceries 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 800 E. Southern Ave., will be open to customers immediately following a 7:30 a.m. grand opening ceremony, Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Economic Impact Includes 220 New Jobs
The new Tempe Walmart will employ approximately 220 associates, according to store manager Chris Jescheling. Jescheling began his Walmart career in 1993 in San Diego as a technician in the store’s Tire and Lube Express.
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 Tempe 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 Jescheling. “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 to three local organizations to support programs that service the community. Carminati Elementary School in Tempe will receive a $5,500 grant, while Homeward Bound and the Arizona State University Sustainability Department will each receive $5,000 grants.
Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Tempe Walmart, like all new Walmartludes energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. 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.
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.
EDITOR’S NOTES - An invitation-only open house for grant recipients, other VIPs, and Walmart associates and their families is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of the community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Chris Jescheling is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 480-966-0264.
- Statements and quotes on behalf of Walmart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
FACT SHEET
Tempe Walmart Store facts - Location: 800 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, Ariz.
- Store opens Wednesday, Sept. 16, immediately following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Chris Jescheling
- Open 24 hours daily
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
- General merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, health and beauty aids, and an expanded electronics department
- Convenience services include a pharmacy, digital photo processing center, Walmart Connect Center and a MoneyCenter
Charitable giving - $15,500 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations:
- Arizona State University Sustainability Department
- Carminati Elementary School
- Homeward Bound
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 220 associates
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Arizona is approximately $11.35 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: Chris Jescheling, 480-966-0264.
- Merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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