Clearwater Walmart Focuses on FreshnessNew Neighborhood Market offers groceries, everyday essentials, 105 jobs CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 2, 2008 – Residents of Clearwater will soon feel at home in their new Walmart Neighborhood Market on Highland Avenue. When the store opens Jan. 7, customers will find their favorite brands and fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables grown in Florida. As part of its commitment to the community, the store will announce $24,500 in grants to local organizations. Doors to the new store will open at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. The store is located at 1803 N. Highland Ave., at the intersection of Highland and Sunset Point. The Clearwater Neighborhood Market is located in a former grocery store that closed in 2006. The entire shopping center has been renovated, complete with a new façade, additional landscaping and a freshly paved parking lot. Walmart added environmentally friendly fixtures to the 39,729-square-foot store, to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. Community leaders hope the store sparks an economic boost to the surrounding neighborhood, and nearby businesses are anticipating a surge in the number of shoppers coming back to the area. “We are so pleased to have the Walmart brand right in our community. The new Neighborhood Market will mean new jobs as well as low prices on foods and staples,” said Douglas Linder, president/CEO of the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The store also means a company known as a generous charitable giver has moved to our area.” Store to Open With 105 Associates The average wage for full-time hourly Walmart associates in Florida is $11.30 per hour.* Walmart benefits – available to eligible full- and part-time associates – include healthcare 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, company performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance. Grants Make a Difference to Local Organizations The new Clearwater store has selected nine organizations to receive grand opening grants. Among the recipients is the RCS Food Bank, which will receive a $5,000 grant to support its hunger relief efforts. The Clearwater Fire Department received grants totaling $3,500 to support its Safety Village fire and safety education effort and provide gifts for its holiday children’s outreach program. EDITOR’S NOTE: A total of $24,500 in grants will be distributed. For a full listing of recipients, please see page 3. “We know that financial support to our local organizations makes a real difference, and we will play a role in continuing Walmart’s commitment to the Clearwater community,” said Store Manager Kody Daley. “Like all Walmart stores, our store will work with organizations to provide support and community grants throughout the year.” Fresh Produce and Favorite Brands “Our customers will be able to find familiar brands and local products at great values, right in their own neighborhood,” Daley said. “We will have a variety of fresh produce that is grown within the state of Florida, including tomatoes, greens, cilantro, chilies, avocadoes and oranges.” The 39,729-square-foot store features a large selection of groceries including bakery goods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, and a variety of organic offerings. A selection of beer and wine will also be available. The store’s deli offers rotisserie chicken, popcorn chicken, pizza and a wide variety of fresh prepared foods including sandwiches and salads. Customers can pick up cakes, freshly made pastries and breads in the bakery. The store’s pharmacy offers drive-through service, allowing customers to pick up their prescriptions without leaving their cars. Customers will also benefit from Walmart’s popular $4 Prescription Program, which includes more than 350 generic prescriptions and 1,000 over-the-counter medications. The store’s health and beauty area features special lighting and concave fixtures not normally seen in a grocery or small retail format store. Additional areas include stationery, paper goods, pet products and household cleaning supplies. Customers can also print their own digital photos at the store. About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) EDITOR’S NOTES
*Average wage taken December 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for more details. FACT SHEET Store fast facts
Charitable giving
Store features
Employment
* Average wage taken December 2008. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information # # # |
