Walmart Opens Virginia's First Neighborhood Market
Norfolk store offers customers big savings with smaller store format NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 2, 2009 – Walmart introduces a different store format to Virginia with the opening of a 45,000-square-foot Walmart Neighborhood Market in Norfolk Jan. 7. The market-style store is designed to provide quick, convenient access to low-cost groceries, prescriptions and household products. Doors to the new store will open at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, following a 7:30 a.m. ceremony. The store is conveniently located at 1720 E. Little Creek Rd., at the intersection with Meadow Creek Road. Walmart completely remodeled a space vacated by another grocer, upgrading the exterior and renovating the interior. The retailer also added environmentally friendly fixtures to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. “I think local residents will find the Neighborhood Market very shopper-friendly, and I’m confident that this store will be embraced by the community,” said W. Randy Wright, Norfolk City Council member who represents Ward 5 where the store is located. “It’s going to be a real shot-in-the-arm for the Little Creek Road corridor and I hope other businesses will be encouraged to open in the area.” With more than 145 stores in operation in the United States, the Walmart Neighborhood Market is the company’s youngest store concept. Introduced just over 10 years ago, the store provides consumers the Walmart value in a smaller, convenient “neighborhood” store format. A typical store is about 42,000 square feet and employs about 95 associates. The concept brings grocery, pharmacy and health and beauty products together in a customer-friendly layout. The brand has continued its popularity with shoppers since its inception, and Walmart plans to open several new Neighborhood Market stores this year.
Fresh Foods and Familiar Brands
The 45,000-square-foot Walmart Neighborhood Market will carry a full line of groceries, including fresh produce, frozen foods, meat and dairy products. The deli offers hot rotisserie chicken, pizza by the slice and a wide variety of meats, cheeses and freshly prepared foods. Customers can pick up decorated cakes, freshly made pastries and breads in the bakery. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase. “With our smaller format, our store is perfect for those on the go. Whether they’re stocking up or need to pick up just a few items, our customers will be able to find what they need quickly and easily,” said Store Manager Jackie Russell. The store features a special layout designed to make it easier for customers to move from department to department, with separate areas placed around the perimeter of the store. “Instead of having traditional aisles, our floor plan reminds me of a central hub surrounded by little shops. I think our customers will love it and appreciate our attention to detail,” added Russell. Shoppers will also appreciate the convenience of the store’s pharmacy, along with a full selection of health-related products and a health and beauty area. Additional areas include stationery, paper goods, pet products and hardware items. Customers can also print their own digital photos at the store. The store will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Store Provides 100 Local Jobs
The Neighborhood Market plans to employ approximately 100 associates. Eight associates have transferred to the new store from existing Walmart locations, including four who have worked for the company for more than 10 years. Assistant Manager Shawney Gray-Cheeseman has more than 25 years with the company. “Walmart provides job opportunities and career choices for everyone from seniors looking for supplemental income to young people wanting to gain work experience,” Russell said. “I took a part-time job at Walmart to help pay for college, and it turns out that changing tires has changed my life.” She started her career with Walmart in 2002 as an hourly associate, working as a technician in the Tire & Lube Express at a store in Yorktown. Charitable Donations Make A Difference
Walmart stores nationwide traditionally award grants from the Walmart Foundation at their grand-opening ceremonies to help community groups and charitable organizations. The grants underscore Walmart’s philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally. Associates of the new Norfolk store selected 10 organizations to receive grants totaling $22,500. The Food Bank of Southeast Virginia will receive $5,000 to support its hunger relief efforts. The City of Norfolk will receive $8,500 in grants, which will be distributed among its police, fire and rescue, human services and library departments. Other grant recipients include Norview High School, the Robert L. Hicks Memorial Scholarship Fund at Old Dominion University, Southern Christian Leadership Council, Tarrallton Recreation Center and the YMCA of South Hampton Roads. About Walmart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart 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 Stores, Inc. (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. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com. EDITOR’S NOTES - An invitation-only open house scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, will include tours of the store. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Jackie Russell is available for interviews about the grand opening. She can be reached at 757-480-0654.
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
- The terms “Walmart” and “Walmart Stores” refer to the corporate entity. “Walmart,” expressed as one word and without hyphenation, refers to the brand name of the company’s U.S. operations. This distinction came after the Company announced the introduction of a new logo for its U.S. store operations in June.
FACT SHEET
Norfolk Walmart Neighborhood Market Store fast facts - Location: 1720 E. Little Creek Rd., Norfolk, Va..
- Grand-opening ceremony: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7; doors to open at 8 a.m.
- Store Manager: Jackie Russell
Store features - Store size is 45,000 square feet
- Wide variety of products, including fresh produce, fresh meat and dairy items, beer and wine, health and beauty aids, pharmacy, stationery and paper goods, pet supplies and household cleaning supplies
- Delicatessen features a wide range of fresh prepared foods, including rotisserie chicken, pizza by the slice, sandwiches, salads, desserts and beverages.
- Customers will be able to print digital photos at the digital photo processing kiosk
- Open 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week
Charitable giving
$22,500 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following community organizations: - City of Norfolk Department of Human Services
- City of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Department
- City of Norfolk Police Department
- City of Norfolk Public Library
- Food Bank of Southeast Virginia
- Norview High School
- Robert L. Hicks Memorial Scholarship Fund at Old Dominion University
- Southern Christian Leadership Council
- Tarrallton Recreation Center
- YMCA of South Hampton Roads
Employment - Approximately 100 positions planned
- Four associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years, including one who has more than 25 years with the company.
- Store Manager Jackie Russell began her career with Walmart in 2002 as an hourly associate, working as a technician in the Tire & Lube Express at a store in Yorktown.
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Virginia is $11.13 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, business performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance
* Average wage taken December 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information - Store manager: Jackie Russell, 757-480-0654
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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