New Laurens Walmart Supercenter Full of Special Features
Relocated store showcases latest store design and layout LAURENS, S.C., March 12, 2009 – A Walmart Supercenter opens this month in Laurens, with special touches inside and out, like wider aisles and new signage that local residents will appreciate. As one of Walmart’s newest designs, the store will feature enhanced services and a layout designed to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers than ever before. The Supercenter will open at 8 a.m., Wednesday, March 18. Originally opened in 1988, the store has nearly doubled in size with the relocation, adding a full grocery department with a deli and bakery and expanding its merchandise selection. Located at 922 E. Main St., the Supercenter is now situated atop a hill, with a buffer of trees, landscaping and green space. “The new Supercenter is a breath of fresh air into Laurens’ economy,” said Mayor Sharon Brownlee. “I am a firm believer that Walmart spurs continued development and other businesses are ready to follow in its footsteps. People from around the county will come to Laurens to do their shopping, and the store will be a big boost to our revenue base. I’m especially pleased that the new facility fits right in with the overall beautification efforts for our community, with its beautiful landscaping and green space.” The Laurens store is one of two Walmart Supercenters opening in South Carolina March 18. The other is located in Union. They are among the first stores to feature the new Walmart logo. Layout Improves Customer Experience
The 24-hour Supercenter is designed to make shopping easy for customers. The layout creates an open shopping environment with wider aisles that contain no product displays. Walmart also 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. “In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh our stores, our merchandising and our customer experience,” said Store Manager Dorsey Thomas. “The improvements we’ve been making have all come together in our new store with faster service, a friendlier shopping experience and a cleaner store.” 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. Supercenter Adds 140 Hometown Jobs
The Supercenter plans to employ approximately 320 associates, including approximately 140 new positions created by the relocation. Most of the positions will be full time, according to Thomas. “Working for Walmart provides a number of job opportunities and choices for so many people, from seniors looking for supplemental income to young people just starting their work experience,” said Thomas. Like most Walmart store managers, he first joined the company as an hourly associate. Forty of the Laurens store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years. Ten associates have worked at the store since it opened in 1988. Community Organizations Benefit from Grand Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $10,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. Associates at the Laurens Supercenter selected United Ministries of Laurens to receive a $5,000 grant to support its food bank and other hunger relief efforts. Other recipients include the Hospice of Laurens County and Laurens Memorial Home for the Aged. “In addition to grants from the Walmart Foundation, we’ve supported these agencies and other community charitable efforts for years by hosting fundraisers, providing volunteers, and giving in-kind merchandise donations,” said Thomas. “We think of them as our partners and consider it a privilege to support the good work they do.” Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Laurens Supercenter, like all new Walmartludes 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 throughout the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. Part of 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. Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 7:30 a.m., March 18
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Rev. Ossie Deese from the Laurens Church of God will offer an invocation and the Color Guard from Clinton High School will present the colors. Local community leaders will join Thomas to cut the ribbon to the new store. Throughout the day, customers will be able to enjoy product samples and giveaways. 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 for grant recipients and other VIPs is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, March 16. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome. FACT SHEET
Laurens Walmart Supercenter Store facts - Location: 922 E. Main St., Laurens, S.C.
- Originally opened in 1988 at 917 E. Main St.
- 204,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter, gaining an additional 101,000 square feet
- Store opens at 8 a.m., Wednesday, March 18, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Dorsey Thomas
Store features - Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce
- More than 30 merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, a lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, and a full line of electronics
- Convenience services include a pharmacy, digital photo processing center and Walmart Connect Center
- Leased areas and services include a McDonald’s restaurant, SmartStyle Family Hair Care salon and branch of Woodforest National Bank.
- Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Charitable giving
$10,000 in charitable contributions to the following area organizations - Hospice of Laurens County
- Laurens Memorial Home for the Aged
- United Ministries of Laurens
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 320 associates, including approximately 140 new positions created by the relocation.
- Forty of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years.
- Ten associates have worked at the store since it originally opened in 1988.
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in South Carolina is approximately $11.21 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, company performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance
* Average wage taken February 2009. See www.walmartstores.com for details. Walmart in South Carolina
As of February, Walmart employed 27,130 associates and owned and operated the following facilities in South Carolina: - Supercenters: 63
- Discount Stores: 8
- Sam’s Clubs: 9
- Distribution Centers: 2
Read more about Walmart in South Carolina For more information - Store Manager Dorsey Thomas is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 864-682-8100. The temporary number to the Supercenter prior to its opening is 864-682-8131.
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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