New Wal-Mart Brings Economic Benefits to Katy
Supercenter provides local jobs, convenient shopping and grants KATY, Texas, May 1, 2008 – A new Wal-Mart Supercenter opening May 7 in Katy will bring a host of economic benefits to the area. Nearby residents are looking forward to having Wal-Mart’s one-stop shopping convenience and low prices closer to home, and schools and non-profit organizations are excited about the retailer’s ongoing charitable contributions and support for community projects. An anticipated increase in tax revenue and approximately 475 local jobs add to the expected boost to the area’s economy. The new Supercenter is located at 6060 N. Fry Road near the intersection with West Little York Road. Its location places it near the fast-growing communities of Katy, Jersey Village, and Cypress-Fairbanks in west Harris County. Community Involvement Begins with Grand Opening Grants
As part of Wal-Mart’s commitment to the communities in which they operate, the new store will support the area by contributing $18,000 to local charitable organizations. That support includes a $5,000 contribution to elementary and junior high schools in the fast-growing Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District to assist with mentoring programs. Another $5,000 grant will go to Rhodes Elementary School in the Katy School District. “We go beyond simply giving grants to local organizations. Wal-Mart truly gets involved in the communities we serve,” Scribner said. “Our store has adopted all six elementary schools within a six-mile radius of our location. Most of the management team has already joined the Cy-Fair school district’s mentoring program, and every manager will build a team of associates to help volunteer at each elementary school.” Other grant recipients are the city of Katy, which will receive a $3,000 grant for its Keep Katy Beautiful initiative, and the National Hispanic Institute, which will receive a $5,000 grant to provide career counseling to first-generation college students. One-Stop Shopping Convenience for the Entire Family
The new 205,044-square-foot Supercenter is designed as a convenient one-stop family shopping center with a full line of groceries, more than 30 merchandise departments and a variety of time-saving services. “Our customers will be able to find their favorite brands right in their own neighborhood and at the Wal-Mart value price,” said Scribner. “With today’s gas prices, being able to shop close to home offers additional savings to our customers.” For added convenience, there will be a Tire & Lube Express, vision center, a pharmacy with drive-through service and a Wal-Mart Connect Center for wireless phone sales. Leased areas and services include a SmartStyle Family Hair Care salon, Regal Nails salon, a McDonald’s restaurant and a branch of Woodforest National Bank. The store will be open 24 hours a day. The new Supercenter will also have a Wal-Mart MoneyCenter to assist customers who are outside of mainstream banking with convenient access to low-cost money services, including check cashing, money orders, bill payment and money transfers. New Store Brings Hometown Jobs
The new store plans to employ approximately 475 associates, including more than 60 associates who have transferred from existing Wal-Mart locations.
“It makes me proud to work for a company that provides unlimited opportunities,” said Scribner. “Many associates joined because they know they have the opportunity for a long-lasting career at Wal-Mart.” Like the majority of Wal-Mart store management, Scribner started his own career with the company as an hourly associate. He joined the company in 1996 as a cart-pusher at a store in Goshen, Ind. He is one of 17 of the store’s associates who have worked for Wal-Mart for more than 10 years. Three associates have worked for the retailer for over 20 years.
Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Katy Supercenter was constructed with energy efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The new store features skylights that harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily. The freezer cases and non-sales areas of the store have LED lights and sensors that automatically shut off the lights when those areas are unoccupied or customers are not present. LED lighting throughout the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. Part of the cement used in the store’s concrete flooring is made with recycled materials and the floor’s finish reduces the need for chemical cleaners. Wal-Mart Puts Customers in Charge of Economic Stimulus Spending
As economic stimulus payments begin to be distributed, Wal-Mart is giving customers the freedom to spend their dollars on what they and their families need. All Wal-Mart stores, including the Katy Supercenter, will cash economic stimulus checks for free – with no purchase required. Wal-Mart has also lined up rollbacks and additional price savings in the coming weeks on items throughout the store to help shoppers stretch their dollars. Ribbon-cutting Celebration 7:30 a.m., May 7
Community and business leaders will join Wal-Mart associates for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 7, and doors to the new store will open at 8 a.m. Throughout the day, activities will include numerous product samples, character appearances and giveaways. About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, 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. Wal-Mart (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. To learn more, visit www.walmartstores.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org. EDITOR’S NOTES
• An invitation-only open house for VIPs, Wal-Mart associates and their families is scheduled for Monday, May 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. Preview tours will be provided and checks will be presented to representatives from community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
• Nick Scribner, store manager, can provide details about the grand opening, offer quotes for interviews and arrange for photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 281-550-4446.
•Statements and quotes on behalf of Wal-Mart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
* Average wage taken April 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for more details. FACT SHEET
Katy (Fry Road) Wal-Mart Supercenter Store facts
• Location: 6060 N. Fry Rd., Katy, Texas
• 205,044-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter
• Store opens at 8 a.m., Wednesday, May 7, after a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
• Store manager: Nick Scribner Store features
• Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, beer and wine section.
• Merchandise departments include apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids and a full line of electronics.
• The store’s digital photo processing center can create prints up to poster size.
• The store will stock a selection of Hispanic-oriented merchandise, including specialty foods, health and beauty aids, and household products.
• Convenience services include a Tire & Lube Express, vision center, Money Center, Wal-Mart Connect Center, family fun center and a pharmacy with two drive-through lanes.
• Leased areas and services include a SmartStyle Family Hair Care salon, Regal Nails salon, a McDonald’s restaurant and a branch of Woodforest National Bank.
• Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week Charitable giving
$18,000 in charitable contributions to four area organizations
• City of Katy (Keep Katy Beautiful)
• Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District
• National Hispanic Institute
• Rhodes Elementary School (Katy School District) Employment
• Store plans to employ approximately 475 associates upon its opening. More than 60 associates have transferred to the store from existing Wal-Mart locations.
• Seventeen of the store’s associates have worked for Wal-Mart for more than 10 years. Three associates have worked for Wal-Mart for more than 20 years.
• Store Manager Nick Scribner started his Wal-Mart career in 1996 as an hourly associate, gathering carts at a store in Goshen, Ind.
• The average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates in Texas is approximately $10.55 per hour.*
• Wal-Mart benefits – available to eligible full- and part-time associates – include healthcare insurance with no lifetime maximum. Wal-Mart 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 April 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information
• Nick Scribner, store manager, can provide details about the grand opening, offer quotes for interviews and arrange for photo opportunities or preview tours. He can be contacted at 281-550-4446.
• Statements and quotes on behalf of Wal-Mart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
• Wal-Mart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmartstores.com # # #
| 
