Walmart Brings Savings and Convenience to RaefordNew Walmart provides 300 jobs RAEFORD, N.C., July 14, 2010 – A new Walmart opens this month in Raeford, 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 4545 Fayetteville Road, will be open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 21. “We look forward to Walmart being a part of our community,” said Raeford Mayor John K. McNeill. “We are excited about what the new store will mean to Raeford and are appreciative of the additional jobs.” Economic Impact Includes 300 New JobsThe new Raeford Walmart will employ approximately 300 associates, according to store manager Kyle Gordon. Gordon began his Walmart career in 1999 as a dairy sales associate in Randleman. 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 Raeford Walmart, with fast service, a friendly 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 Gordon. “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, $15,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. Hoke Emergency Liaison Program (H.E.L.P.) will receive $5,000 to support programs that serve the community. Hoke County Parks and Recreation, Hoke County Public Library, Hoke County Schools and Hoke County Sheriff’s Department will each receive $2,500. 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 Raeford 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. Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin will perform the national anthem. Gordon and other associates 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 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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