New Walmart Brings Economic Boost to Orlando Community
Orlando store adds 300 jobs, offers values and conveniences ORLANDO, Fla., March 15, 2010 – A new Walmart opens this month in Orlando, bringing more than 300 jobs, savings for local shoppers and an increase in sales 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, including an initial $15,000 in grants to local organizations in the Orlando community. The new Orlando Walmart, located at 3101 West Princeton St., celebrates its grand opening Wednesday, March 17 at 7:30 a.m. with local dignitaries joining store manager Richard Jones and store associates at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. According to Orlando Chamber of Commerce President Lelise Hielema, the new Walmart is providing a much-needed boost to this Orlando neighborhood. “The addition of a store near downtown Orlando, will provide job opportunities for 300 local residents, providing economic stability and added buying power to the Central Florida economy,” Hielema said. Economic Impact Includes 300 New Jobs, Opportunities for Career Advancement
The new Orlando Walmart will employ approximately 300 associates, according to Jones. Jones has lived in Florida most of his life and started his Walmart career 25 years ago as an assistant manager before becoming a market manager and back to Orlando as a store manager to open this new Walmart. “I am a true example of having a successful career with Walmart,” said Jones. “Now I can help provide opportunities for many new associates that live right in this neighborhood.” added Jones. 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 Orlando Walmart, with fast service, a friendly shopping experience and clean stores. The new Orlando Walmart features a Spanish-style façade complete with a terracotta tiled roof and new logo. Inside, customers will notice a bright interior color palette that 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. The new 174,614-square-foot Walmart has a layout designed with time and money saving features, making it more convenient for customers as they shop for everyday necessities. Walmart aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently including health and beauty and pet supplies. The new Orlando Walmart features a complete grocery department, offering fresh produce, a full deli with prepared meal solutions for busy people on-the-go, and a bakery featuring custom cakes and artisan breads. For added convenience, the store features an expanded pharmacy next to the grocery department where customers can pick-up $4 and $10 generic prescriptions with a dedicated pharmacy staff as well as a drive-thru option for extra-time savings. Customers will also appreciate the expansive electronics department featuring the latest in electronics including HDTV, camcorders, digital cameras and video gaming systems. Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $15,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. The Coalition for the Homeless in Central Florida will receive a special $5,000 grant. Coalition President/CEO Brent A. Trotter says the Coalition for the Homeless is extremely grateful for the generous donation from the Walmart Foundation. “We provide food, shelter and supportive services to about 600 homeless men, women and children each day, with the goal of returning them to self-sufficiency. The $5,000 grant will enable us to provide over 7,800 nutritious meals to clients dealing with the crisis of homelessness.” Trotter added. Additional organizations receiving $2,500 grants include the Christian Service Center, Genesis Community Program, the Orlando Community and Youth Trust, Inc. and the Orlando Day Nursery to help support ongoing initiatives. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Orlando 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
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Walmart shift manager Ruth Boswell will perform the national anthem, and Bishop Paul Newton of the Word of God Church will offer the invocation. Edgewater High School Color Guard will present the colors and local officials will help Jones cut the ribbon to the new store. 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 for grant recipients and other VIPs is scheduled from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 16. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Richard Jones is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 321-354-2096.
FACT SHEET
Orlando Walmart Store facts - Location: 3101 West Princeton St., Orlando, Fla.
- 176,311-square-foot Walmart
- Store opens Wednesday, March 17, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m.
- Store manager: Richard Jones
- 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, meat and dairy products, fresh produce and beer
- More than 30 merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, a lawn and garden center with drive-thru lanes, health and beauty aids, and an expanded electronics department
- Convenience services include a pharmacy with two drive-thru lanes, digital photo processing center and a Walmart Connect Center
- Leased areas and services include a Planet Hair Salon, a Savon Beauty Salon and a Subway restaurant
Charitable giving - $15,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations
- Coalition for the Homeless
- Genesis, Inc.
- Mercy Drive Enrichment Camp
- Orlando Day Nursery
- Orlando Community and Youth Trust, Inc.
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 300 associates
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Florida is approximately $11.75 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: Richard Jones, 321-354-2096
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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