Walmart Opens Latest Generation of High Efficiency Stores in Kansas City
New store provides 300 new jobs, $18,000 in local grants KANSAS CITY, Kan., Oct. 23, 2009 – Continuing its commitment of energy conservation and environmental sustainability, today Walmart opened the latest generation of its High-Efficiency pilot stores (HE.3) in Kansas City, Kan. The HE.3 is designed to be 25 percent more energy efficient than the 2005 baseline Walmart store. The new store will also bring 300 planned new positions, $18,000 in grants for local organizations, savings on a full line of groceries and an increase in tax revenue to support the area’s economy. The new Walmart, located at 10824 Parallel Parkway, will be open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Improved Technologies Increase Efficiency
The HE.3 pilot implements the latest phase of technologies used in the HE.2 stores, including a water-source heating, cooling and refrigeration system, where water is used to heat and cool the building. The store is also among the first Walmart stores in the U.S. to feature a low temperature CO2 secondary loop refrigeration system. The medium temperature refrigeration system also features secondary loop technology. These systems reduce the refrigerant charge in the store by 90 percent.
“Walmart continues to stay on the leading edge of sustainable building practices,” said James McClendon, director of new format development. “Our ongoing commitment to operate in a more energy efficient manner, while working to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions has resulted in this latest pilot of energy efficient stores.”
In addition to the innovative features of the HE.3 pilot, the Kansas City, Kan. Walmart includes the leading energy efficient technologies found in the company’s prototype stores: - Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in refrigerated and freezer cases
- Daylight harvesting technology
- Reflective white membrane roof
- Sensor-activated low-flow bathroom faucets and high efficiency urinals and toilets
- Recycled construction materials such as fly-ash, slag, integrally colored concrete floors, and plastic
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 Kansas City 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 Mark Hoyt. “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.
Approximately 300 new positions were created as a result of the relocation. More than 60 of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years, including seven associates who have worked at the original store since its opening in 1987.
Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $18,000 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 serve the community: Kansas City Police Department, Kansas City Fire Department, Friends of Yates Battered Women’s Shelter, Wyandot Center and Hot Lunch Service, Inc.
Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 8 a.m., Oct. 28
Community and business leaders, including Mayor Joe Reardon, and Chamber of Commerce President, Cindy Cash, will join Walmart associates at 8 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Matt Farmer and Mary Harkins will perform the national anthem and store associates who have worked at the store since its original opening in 1987 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 $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., on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Mark Hoyt is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 913-788-3331.
- Statements and quotes on behalf of Walmart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
FACT SHEET
Kansas City Walmart Store facts - Location: 10824 Parallel Parkway.
- Formerly located at 6565 State Ave.
- 103,161-square-foot Walmart,
- Store opens at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, just before an 8 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Mark Hoyt
- 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 full 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, digital photo processing center and Walmart Connect Center
Charitable giving - $18,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations:
- Kansas City, Kansas Police Department
- Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department
- Friends of Yates Battered Women’s Shelter
- Wyandot Center
- Hot Lunch Service, Inc.
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 450 associates, including 300 new positions created by the relocation
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Kansas is approximately $11.11 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 August 2009. See www.walmartstores.com for details.
For more information - Store manager: Mark Hoyt, 913-788-3331.
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
# # #
Click the links below to add this entry to social networking sites.
|
|
|