Walmart to Bring More Savings and Convenience to Forsyth
Relocated Walmart provides 150 additional jobs FORSYTH, Ga., March 15, 2010 – A new Walmart opens this month in Forsyth, bringing 150 new jobs, savings for local shoppers and an increase in tax revenue to support the area’s economy. The relocated Walmart, located at 180 N. Lee. St., will be open to customers immediately following a 7:30 a.m. grand-opening ceremony Wednesday, March 17. “This new Walmart store is a great indicator of the growth and opportunities that are anticipated for Forsyth,” said Mayor Tye Howard. “Walmart has been a good corporate citizen for years. In this economic climate, our citizens will see a number of benefits from the new store including the additional jobs and true reductions in their travel expenses to accomplish their shopping needs, in addition, to the boost in sales tax revenue for the city. Those benefits are in addition to Walmart’s continuing efforts to support our city with its ongoing community involvement programs,” added Howard. Economic Impact Includes 150 New Jobs
The new Forsyth Walmart, which relocated from 120 N. Lee St., will employ a total of 240 associates, including 150 new hires, according to store manager J.P.Settoon. Settoon began his Walmart career in 1994 as an assistant manager in Rome. Five associates, Kathy Bowdoin, Judy Kirkwood, May Mullis, Teressa Rogers and Cathy Whatley, have been with the Forsyth store since its original grand opening in April 1986. 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 Forsyth 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 Settoon. “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 digital 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. “Walmart has also worked very hard to meet the requests of their neighbors and has invested quite a lot on changes requested by the community,” said Mayor Howard. Specifically, the lighting plans were updated to reduce light pollution as much as possible in the area of the new store, and they are dramatically increasing vegetation along the back perimeter of the property that they purchased for the store. For that attitude we as a community are thankful.” Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Forsyth Walmart, like all new Walmart stores, includes 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., March 17
Several community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Mary Persons High School chorus “The Voices of Black and Gold,” will be accompanied by the high school band to perform the national anthem at the event. Members of Boy Scouts of America troop 51 will present the colors, and Rev. H. Darrell Watson, First Baptist Church of Forsyth pastor, will lead the invocation. The Mary Persons High School bulldogs cheerleaders will celebrate the grand opening by leading the crowd in the Walmart cheer, and representatives of the Forsyth Chamber of Commerce and the store’s management team will cut the ribbon to the new store signifying its official opening. Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, the Forsyth Walmart contributed more than $20,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation in 2009. Store leaders say local nonprofit organizations will continue to benefit from the retailer’s charitable contributions and support for community projects this year as well. 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. Walmart (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. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. EDITOR’S NOTES - An invitation-only open house is scheduled from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, March 15. State Rep. Jim Cole, Forsyth Mayor Tye Howard and Brian Owens, Georgia Department of Corrections commissioner, are scheduled to attend. Gary Barnes, who was an assistant manager of the Forsyth store when it opened in 1986 and was the store’s second manager, will also be in attendance. Barnes is now store manager of a Pensacola, Fla. Walmart. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store manager J.P. Settoon is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 478-994-3263 (new store) or 478-994-0163 (existing store).
FACT SHEET
Forsyth Walmart
Store facts - Location: 180 N. Lee St., Forsyth, Ga.
- Former location: 120 N. Lee St.
- 152,118-square-foot Walmart, gaining an additional 111,000 square feet due to the relocation
- Store opens Wednesday, March 17, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: J.P. Settoon
- Open 24 hours daily
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 and a Walmart Connect Center
- Leased areas and services include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, Subway restaurant and a branch of Woodforest Bank
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 240 associates, including about 150 new associates
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Georgia is approximately $11.87 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 January 2010. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information - Store manager: J.P. Settoon, 478-994-3263 (new store) or 478-994-0163 (existing store)
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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