New Walmart Comes to Monroe County
Relocated Walmart provides 175 new jobs, $12,000 in local grants MONROE, Mich., Sept. 2, 2009 – A new Walmart opens this month in Monroe, bringing approximately 175 planned 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 2150 N. Telegraph Road, will be open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 16.
“This store opening is great news for the Monroe County area,” said Michelle Dugan, executive director of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce. “The creation of 175 new jobs and the additional tax revenue that comes with the new store will definitely have a positive impact on the economic climate of our community.”
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 Monroe Walmart.
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 store manager Robert Decant. “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, and the customer service desk has been moved 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 positions were added as a result of the relocation. Eighty-six of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years, including 24 associates who have worked at the store since its original opening in 1992.
Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $12,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. Five local organizations will each receive grants to support programs including Family Medical Center of Michigan, Jefferson High School,
Monroe County Opportunity Program, Monroe High School and Women Empowering Women
Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Monroe 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., Sept. 16
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Students from Jefferson High School will perform the national anthem, and members of the high school’s Jazz Band will provide music as well.
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 and other VIPs is scheduled at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Robert Decant is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 734-240-3591.
- Statements and quotes on behalf of Walmart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
FACT SHEET
Monroe Walmart Store facts - Location: 2150 N. Telegraph Road, Monroe, Mich.
- Formerly located at 2155 N. Telegraph Road.
- 176,312-square-foot Walmart
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Robert Decant
- 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 a liquor department
- More than 30 merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, a drive-through lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, and an expanded electronics department
- Convenience services include a pharmacy with two drive-through lanes, digital photo processing center and Walmart Connect Center
- Leased areas include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon and a Subway restaurant
Charitable giving - $12,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations:
- Family Medical Center of Michigan
- Jefferson High School
- Monroe County Opportunity Program
- Monroe High School
- Women Empowering Women
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 400 associates, including 175 new positions added by the relocation
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Michigan is approximately $11.43 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: Robert Decant, 734-240-3591.
- Merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
# # #
Click the links below to add this entry to social networking sites.
|
|
|