Grovetown Walmart Opens With Latest Design
New Walmart provides 280 jobs GROVETOWN, Ga., Oct. 20, 2009 – A new Walmart opens this month in Grovetown, bringing 280 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. Located at 5010 Steiner Way, Walmart is the first anchor to open in Grovetown’s new Gateway Shopping Center off Horizon South Parkway at Interstate 20. The store will open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28, after a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. Local leaders are excited about the store’s opening. “I’m very excited, not only for the new jobs, but also for the added convenience for our residents in the Grovetown area,” said Jim Tingen, president and CEO of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. “We’re glad Walmart recognizes that Columbia County is growing and is opening another store to serve our community.” Economic Impact Includes 280 New Jobs
The new Grovetown Walmart will employ approximately 280 associates, according to Store Manager Dale Wooten. More than 20 of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years. Wooten began his Walmart career in 1998 as an hourly sales associate, working as an overnight stocker at a store in Greenwood, S.C. 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 Grovetown Walmart, with faster service, a friendlier shopping experience and cleaner 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 Wooten. “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, $19,800 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. Grovetown High, Harlem High, Grovetown Middle, Euchee Creek Elementary and North Harlem Elementary schools will each receive a grant. Other grant recipients include Family Connections of Columbia County, The Salvation Army, Concerned Women Inc., United We Care, Grovetown Senior Center, Blue Ryno Foundation, Grovetown Masonic Lodge #730 and the Harlem Foundation. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Grovetown Walmart, like all new Walmart stores, includes 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. 28
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Students from the Grovetown High School band and chorus will perform the national anthem, and members of the GHS Junior ROTC will present the colors. Mayor George James, representatives from the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and other local leaders are expected to attend the ceremony. Wooten and other associates will cut the ribbon to the new store. 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. Walmart (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. 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 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Dale Wooten is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 706-860-8883.
FACT SHEET
Grovetown Walmart Store facts - Location: 5010 Steiner Way, Grovetown, Ga.
- 156,000-square-foot Walmart
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Dale Wooten
- 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, beer and wine
- 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, and a MoneyCenter
- Leased areas and services include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon and Subway restaurant
Charitable giving - $19,800 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations:
- Blue Ryno Foundation
- Concerned Women Inc.
- Euchee Creek Elementary School
- Family Connections of Columbia County
- Grovetown High School
- Grovetown Masonic Lodge #730
- Grovetown Middle School
- Grovetown Senior Center
- Harlem Foundation
- Harlem High School
- North Harlem Elementary School
- The Salvation Army
- United We Care
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 280 associates
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Georgia is approximately $11.70 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 September 2009. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information - Store manager: Dale Wooten, 706-860-8883.
- Walmart information online: merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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