Fergus Falls Walmart Adds Full Line of GroceriesExpanded store now employs approximately 300 associates FERGUS FALLS, Minn., July 26, 2010 – The wait is over for residents in Fergus Falls eager to see their local Walmart bring savings on a full line of groceries and a wide assortment of new products and services. The store’s expansion brings 150 new jobs to the community, and the Walmart has been redesigned to make shopping easy for customers. The store will unveil the new expansion to customers at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 4 after a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We have a loyal customer base and some have been shopping here since our original opening in 1991,” said store manager Tim Bosworth. “We think they’ll love the new, easy-to-shop layout of the store and appreciate the savings we offer on the products they need.” Originally opened in 1991, the store is located at 3300 Highway 210 W., just west of the junction with Interstate 94. As part of the expansion, the store has added nearly 75,000 square feet. Among the exterior improvements, the parking lot has been freshly paved, and landscaping has been added. Local leaders are excited about the store’s expansion. Lisa Workman, executive director of the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “We are thrilled to see our local Walmart expanding, and we know this is a sign of more good things to come. We anticipate that the larger store will draw more people into our community, and the additional shopping traffic is sure to benefit everyone.” Expanded Walmart Adds 150 New JobsThe store plans to employ approximately 300 associates, including approximately 150 positions created by the expansion. Approximately 48 associates have worked for Walmart for longer than 10 years, including 16 who have worked at the Fergus Falls store since it opened in 1991. Bosworth began his Walmart career in 1990 at a store in Bismarck, N.D., as an hourly associate overseeing the electronics department and other areas. “Joining Walmart was a great career decision for me, as it has been for so many of my fellow associates,” Bosworth said. “I am proud to work for this company where there are unlimited opportunities and to bring those opportunities to our community and neighbors.” New Layout Improves Customer ExperienceDesigned as a convenient family shopping center, the 171,300-square-foot store will provide the local community another destination for groceries at the Walmart value price. The store has added a full line of groceries, including fresh produce, frozen foods, meat and dairy products and organic items. For those on-the-go, the deli offers hot rotisserie chicken, fried chicken and a wide variety of meats, cheeses and freshly prepared foods. Customers can pick up cakes, freshly made pastries and breads in the bakery. The store has expanded its selection of wine and cold beer. The 24-hour Fergus Falls Walmart also features a new layout and updated design. In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh its stores, merchandise and customer experience. The improvements have all come together in the company’s newest stores with faster service, a friendlier shopping experience and cleaner stores. Among the changes, Walmart has combined the Site-to-Store pick-up location and photo processing center into a single area near the courtesy desk at the front of the store. Customers now have ready access to these services as well as associates who can provide assistance as needed. During the expansion, Walmart completely renovated the pharmacy with an open design, creating a much friendlier, accessible experience. The pharmacy, health and beauty items, and cosmetics are conveniently located across from groceries. Walmart also enhanced the Connect Center and its selection of cellular phones and calling plans, located at the front of the store. A new SmartStyle Family Hair Care salon offers additional one-stop convenience to shoppers. “The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save customers time as they shop for everyday necessities at our unbeatable prices,” said Bosworth. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase we are making one-stop shopping even easier.” The new layout creates an open shopping environment with wider aisles that contain no product displays. Lower shelving throughout the store creates an improved sightline and directional signage on every aisle helps customers find what they are looking for quickly. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly FeaturesThe Fergus Falls store, like all new Walmart stores, includes energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. As part of the renovations, Walmart installed a back-up power generator at the store to reduce long-term energy costs. LED lighting throughout the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. Low-flow toilets and faucets reduce the water used in the bathrooms. Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 7:30 a.m., Aug. 4Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. As part of the festivities, associates will announce grants totaling $4,000. Recipients include the “Last year alone, we presented local organizations with $13,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation. In addition, we’ve supported these agencies and other community charitable efforts for years by hosting fundraisers, providing volunteers and giving in-kind merchandise donations,” said Bosworth. “We think of them as our partners and consider it a privilege to support the good work they do.” 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. 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/Walmartnews. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.
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