Community of Weirton Welcomes New Walmart
Newly relocated Walmart provides 175 new jobs, $4,000 in local grants WEIRTON, W.Va., March 10, 2010 – A new Walmart opens this month in Weirton, bringing approximately 175 planned 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 400 Three Springs Drive, will be open to customers at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 17. “The opening of the newly relocated Walmart has certainly brought about a lot of buzz,” said Brenda Mull, president of the Weirton Chamber of Commerce. “The increase of new jobs will have a positive impact on the community, and the increased size of the store will offer a wider selection to shoppers. This can only enhance our economy. The city of Weirton is definitely looking to grow forward. There are usually business followers with the opening of a Walmart store and we hope this location will not be the exception to the rule.” 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 Weirton Walmart. 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 store manager Coleen Byerly. “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. Approximately 175 new jobs were created as a result of the relocation. More than 30 of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years, including 20 associates who have worked at the store since its original opening in 1993. Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $4,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. The following organizations will each receive funds to support programs that serve the community: Community Bread Basket, Hancock County 4-H Foundation, Oak Glen Association and Weirton Christian Center. Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Weirton 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 8 a.m., March 17
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 8 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Weirton High School Band and Madonna High School cheerleaders will perform, and representatives from a local American Legion Post will present the colors. 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 at 6 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 Coleen Byerly is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. She can be reached at 304-919-4037.
FACT SHEET
Weirton Walmart Store facts - Location: 400 Three Springs Drive, Weirton, W.Va.
- Formerly located at 243 Three Springs Drive
- 156,000-square-foot Walmart, gaining 58,429 additional square feet
- Store opens at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 17, following an 8 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Coleen Byerly
- 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 sales
- 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, Celebration Station, Tire & Lube Express, Subway restaurant, digital photo processing center and Walmart Connect Center
Charitable giving
$4,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations - Community Bread Basket
- Hancock County 4-H Foundation
- Oak Glen Association
- Weirton Christian Center
Employment - Store plans to employ approximately 340 associates, including 175 new positions created by the relocation
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in West Virginia is approximately $11.36 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
- Store manager Coleen Byerly began her Walmart career as an hourly associate in 1985 at a store in Cleveland, Texas.
* Average wage taken January 2010. See www.walmartstores.com for details. For more information
• Store manager: Coleen Byerly, 304-919-4037
• Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com # # #
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