Walmart Brings Savings and Convenience to Johnson CityNew Walmart provides 300 jobs and $16,500 in grants to local organizations JOHNSON CITY, N.Y., July 14, 2010 – A new Walmart opens this month in Johnson City, bringing 300 new 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. The Walmart, located at 2 Gannett Drive, will be open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 21. Economic Impact Includes 300 New JobsThe new Johnson City Walmart will employ approximately 300 associates, according to store manager Matt Huyck. Huyck began his Walmart career in 1992 as an hourly sales associate at a store in Vestal. “The Village of Johnson City is pleased to welcome its newest neighbor Walmart to the business community. Walmart has demonstrated its faith in the future of the Village by building a new and modern store, with adjacent parking facility, in the newly developed CFJ Park area, thus helping to ensure the success of future projects. Their investment will have a stimulating effect not only upon the business itself, but upon the entire local economy, thereby opening the door for other commercial establishments to relocate to our area,” said Dennis Hannon, mayor of Johnson City. “We encourage all our residents to join in making the employees and customers of Walmart feel welcome in Johnson City and encourage the Walmart staff and management to take part in the many events and activities that Johnson City has to offer.” Store Designed to Improve Customer ExperienceIn 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 Johnson City 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 layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities,” said Huyck. “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 GrantsAs part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $16,500 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. The Village of Johnson City will receive $4,500, CHOW will receive $2,500 and the Family Enrichment Network will receive $2,000. The Johnson City Fire Department, Broome County YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, the local Boy Scouts troop and the local Girl Scouts troop will each receive $1,500. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed $2 billion to U.S. hunger relief efforts through 2015. The Fighting Hunger Together campaign will also engage Walmart customers and associates in the fight against hunger. More information can be found at walmart.com/fightinghunger. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly FeaturesThe Johnson City 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., July 21Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Members of the local Girls Scouts of America will perform the national anthem, and members of a local Boy Scouts of America troop will present the colors. Mayor Dennis Hannon will cut the ribbon to the new store. About WalmartWal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or “Walmart,” serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,400 retail units under 55 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.0 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine’s 2009 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.
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