New Stafford Walmart Brings Savings on Full Line of Groceries
New store provides 330 jobs, $19,500 in local grants STAFFORD, Va., Oct. 7, 2009 – A new Walmart opens this month in Stafford, bringing 330 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 new store, located at 11 Village Parkway, will be open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14. Economic Impact Includes 330 New Jobs
The new Stafford Walmart will employ approximately 330 associates, according to store manager Lisa Bowman. Bowman began her Walmart career in 2001 as a part-time associate in electronics at a store in Ticonderoga, N.Y. 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 Stafford 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 Bowman. “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, $19,500 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. The following organizations will each receive grants to support programs that benefit the community: Bragg Hill Family Life Center, Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity, Multicultural Outreach Efforts (MORE), Rappahannock Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Stafford Emergency Relief Through Volunteer Efforts (SERVE), Stafford County Fire and Rescue, Stafford County Public Schools and the Stafford County Sherriff’s Office. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Stafford 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., Oct. 14
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Members of the Stafford High School Navy ROTC color guard will present the colors, and activities will be held in the store’s parking lot throughout the day. 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 for 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 13. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Lisa Bowman is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. She can be reached at 540-752-2125.
FACT SHEET
Stafford Walmart Store facts - Location: 11 Village Parkway Drive, Stafford, Va.
- 184,368-square-foot Walmart
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Lisa Bowman
- 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 and fresh produce
- 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 a drive-through lane, digital photo processing center and Walmart Connect Center
- Leased areas and services include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, Regal Nail Salon, Subway restaurant and a branch of WoodForest Bank.
Charitable giving - $19,500 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations:
- Bragg Hill Family Life Center
- Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity
- Multicultural Outreach Efforts (MORE)
- Rappahannock Big Brothers and Big Sisters
- Stafford County Fire and Rescue
- Stafford County Public Schools
- Stafford County Sherriff’s Office
- Stafford Emergency Relief Through Volunteer Efforts (SERVE)
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 330 associates
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Virginia is approximately $11.44 per hour*
- Store Manager Lisa Bowman began her Walmart career in 2001 as an hourly associate at a store in Ticonderoga, N.Y.
- 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: Lisa Bowman, 540-752-2125.
- Walmart information online: merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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