New Walmart Brings Jobs and Savings to Yakima
New store provides 350 jobs for area residents YAKIMA, Wash., Oct. 7, 2009 – A new Walmart opens this month in Yakima, bringing 350 new jobs, savings on a full line of groceries and an increase in tax revenue to support the area’s economy. Nonprofit organizations will also benefit from the retailer’s ongoing charitable contributions and support for community projects. The Walmart, located at 6600 W Nob Hill Blvd., will be open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14. Economic Impact Includes 350 New Jobs
The new Yakima Walmart will employ approximately 350 associates, according to store manager Kim Pierce. Six of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years. Pierce is a Washington native who began her Walmart career in 2000 as an assistant manager. 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 Yakima Walmart, with fast service, a friendly shopping experience and clean stores. The new Walmart features wide aisles, enhanced service and 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 Pierce. “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, $24,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. The following organizations will each receive grants to support programs that serve the community: Office of Neighborhood Development, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital Association, West Valley Nursing Home Living Care Centers, Special Olympics Washington, Yakima County Fire District 12, Yakima Visitors and Convention Foundation, West Valley Little League, American Legion, Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Yakima County, Marine Toys for Tots, East Valley Reformed Church Food Bank, American Red Cross, Yakima Police Athletic League, West Valley School District, Wags to Riches Animal Rescue and Sanctuary and Boy Scouts of America. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Yakima 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. A store associate will perform the national anthem, and local veterans will present the colors. Mallatt and other associates will cut the ribbon to the new store along with the Yakima Chamber of Commerce. 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 $378 million to local communities in the United States. EDITOR’S NOTES - An invitation-only open house for grant recipients and other VIPs is scheduled from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Kim Pierce is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. She can be reached at 509-545-4578.
FACT SHEET
Yakima Walmart
Store facts - Location: 6600 W Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima, Wash.
- 220,000-square-foot Walmart
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Kim Pierce
- 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 and wine
- 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, digital photo processing center, Walmart Connect Center, a MoneyCenter, and a Tire and Lube Express
- Leased areas and services include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, Davi Nails Salon, Subway restaurant, and Catholic Credit Union.
Charitable giving - $24,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations:
- Office of Neighborhood Development
- Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital Association
- West Valley Nursing Home Living Care Centers
- Special Olympics of Washington
- Yakima County Fire District 12
- Yakima Visitors and Convention Foundation
- West Valley Little League
- American Legion
- Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Yakima County
- Marine Toys for Tots
- East Valley Reformed Church Food Bank
- American Red cross
- Yakima Police Athletic League
- West Valley School District
- Wags to Riches Animal Rescue and Sanctuary
- Boy Scouts of America
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 350 associates
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Washington is approximately $12.16 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. For more information - Store manager: Kim Pierce, 509-545-4578.
- Walmart information online: merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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