Walmart Returns to Pass Christian
New store provides 300 jobs, offers savings and convenience PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss., Oct. 7, 2009 – South Mississippi residents will celebrate the return of Walmart to the Pass Christian beachfront in mid-October as the retailer re-opens its store in the Pass. The store brings 300 jobs, savings on a full line of groceries, an expected increase in tax revenue to support the area’s economy and ongoing charitable contributions. The new Walmart, located on Highway 90 at 1617 East Beach Blvd., will open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, after a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. “This store offers much more than a convenient place to shop for our customers,” said Rob Richardson, store manager. “Walmart’s return to Pass Christian is a symbol of this community’s resilience and its continued progress to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.” Walmart opened its store in Pass Christian in 2003, and the store, along with the much of the Mississippi Coast, sustained substantial damage during Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29, 2005. Local officials are excited about Walmart’s return to the Pass. “Walmart has been a beacon of hope for our community, an exemplary partner in the recovery of Pass Christian,” said Mayor Leo “Chipper” McDermott. “The new store is everything we could have hoped for, and we can’t wait for it to open. Walmart also took special efforts to save a 100-year-old house that was on the new site. The retailer donated the structure to the city, which then worked with a private developer to move the historic structure to nearby Scenic Drive. As part of the agreement with the city, the developer will provide space in the renovated house to the local Chamber of Commerce rent-free for five years. Economic Impact Includes 300 New Jobs
The new Pass Christian Walmart will employ approximately 300 associates, according to Richardson. Fourteen of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years. Thirty-six associates who were working at the store prior to Hurricane Katrina have returned to work at the new store. Store Designed to Improve Customer Experience
In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh its stores, merchandising and customer experience. The improvements have all come together in the company’s newest stores, such as the Pass Christian Walmart, with fast service, a friendly shopping experience and clean stores. The new Walmart has a layout designed to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers. Walmart 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. “The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities,” said Richardson. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase including health and beauty and pet supplies, we are making one-stop shopping even easier.” 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. Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $25,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will receive a $5,000 grant to support its food pantry. The fire and police departments for Pass Christian and Long Beach will receive grants for equipment, training and community education programs. Other recipients include the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast, Long Beach High School, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Pass Christian High School. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Pass Christian Walmart, 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 in the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. 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. The new store also operates a recycling program and will promote sustainable product purchases. Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 7:30 a.m., Oct. 14
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Gary Russ, the former manager of the Pass Christian Walmart, will perform the national anthem, and Father Louis Lohan, from St. Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach, will offer an invocation. Mayor McDermott and other local officials will help Richardson cut the ribbon to the new store. On Saturday, Oct. 17, the store will host a chili cook-off, blood drive, and video game competition. Players from the Mississippi Surge hockey team will also be on hand to sign autographs. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, country music artist Chris Young is scheduled to make an appearance at the store, taking photos with customers and signing autographs. About Walmart
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart Stores, 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. 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 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Rob Richardson is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 228-452-4948.
FACT SHEET
Pass Christian Walmart Store facts - Location: 1617 East Beach Blvd., Pass Christian, Miss.
- 153,000-square-foot Walmart
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Rob Richardson
- Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Store features - Full line of groceries including a bakery, a deli serving fresh food and meal solutions for moms, meat and dairy products, fresh produce and beer
- More than 30 merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, a lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, and an expanded electronics department
- Convenience services include a pharmacy, vision center, digital photo processing center, Walmart Connect Center, and a MoneyCenter
- Leased areas and services include a Subway restaurant.
Charitable giving - $25,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations
- Boys and Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast
- City of Pass Christian Fire Department
- City of Pass Christian Police Department
- City of Long Beach Fire Department
- City of Long Beach Police Department
- Long Beach High School
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Pass Christian High School
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 300 associates
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Mississippi is approximately $11.10 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 September 2009. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information - Store manager: Rob Richardson, 229-452-4948.
- Walmart information online: merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
# # #
|
