YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, Aug.19, 2009 – Continuing its commitment of energy conservation and environmental sustainability, Walmart today opened the latest generation of its High-Efficiency pilot stores (HE.3) in Youngstown, Ohio. The HE.3 is designed to be 25 percent more energy efficient than the 2005 baseline Walmart store. The new store will also bring 325 planned new jobs to the area and $20,000 in grant donations to local organizations when it opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, after a 7:30 a.m. grand-opening ceremony.
Improved Technologies Increase Efficiency
The HE.3 pilot implements the latest phase of technologies used in the HE.2 stores, including a water-source heating, cooling and refrigeration system, where water is used to heat and cool the building, a secondary refrigeration loop that is expected to reduce the initial refrigerant charge by 90 percent and an active dehumidification system.
“Walmart continues to stay on the leading edge of sustainable building practices,” said James McClendon, director of new format development. “Our ongoing commitment to operate in a more energy efficient manner, while working to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions has resulted in this latest pilot of energy efficient stores.”
In addition to the innovative features of the HE.3 pilot, the Youngstown Walmart includes the leading energy efficient technologies found in the company’s prototype stores:
- Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in refrigerated and freezer cases
- Daylight harvesting technology
- Reflective white membrane roof
- Sensor-activated low-flow bathroom faucets and high efficiency urinals and toilets
- Recycled construction materials such as fly-ash, slag, integrally colored concrete floors, and plastic baseboards and chair rails
Economic Impact Includes 325 New Jobs
The new Youngstown Walmart will employ approximately 325 associates, according to store manager Thomas Urena. Urena is a Louisiana native who began his Walmart career in 1984 as an assistant manager at a store in Greenville, Texas, before moving to Louisiana, Florida, New York and then to a store in Canton, Ohio where he managed a store for three years before the Youngstown 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 Youngstown 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 Urena. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase including health and beauty and pet supplies near our full-service grocery department, 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.
Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $20,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. The following organization will each receive $5,000 to support programs that serve the community: Second Harvest of Mahoning County. The following organizations will each receive a $2,500 grant: Down Syndrome Association of the Valley, Liberty Fire Department, Liberty High School, Liberty Township Community Chest and 100 Black Men of Greater Youngstown Warren.
Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 7:30 a.m., Aug. 19
Community and business leaders including Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams and Liberty Township Trustees Chairman Patrick Hiltman will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Store associate Martin Charles Moore will perform the national anthem, and members of the Liberty Police Department will present the colors. The Liberty High School Band will also perform. Urena and other associates will 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. 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. 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 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18. It will include preview tours and check presentations to representatives of community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Store Manager Thomas Urena is available for interviews and to arrange photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 330-759-2066.
FACT SHEET
Youngstown Walmart
Store facts
- Location: 200 Goldie Road, Youngstown, Ohio
- 157,000-square-foot Walmart
- Store opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Thomas Urena
- 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 with drive-up loading zone, health and beauty aids, and an expanded electronics department
- Convenience services include a pharmacy with a drive-thru, vision center, digital photo processing center, Walmart Connect Center, a Tire& Lube Express and a MoneyCenter
- Leased areas and services include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, Subway restaurant, and a branch of Sun Trust Bank.
Charitable giving
- $20,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to the following area organizations
- Second Harvest Foodbank of The Mahoning Valley
- Liberty Branch Public Library
- Liberty High School
- Down Syndrome Association of Thevalley
- Liberty Township Community Chest
- 100 Black Men of Greater Youngstown Warren
- Liberty Township Fire Department
Employment
- Store plans to employ approximately 325 associates
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Ohio is approximately $11.43 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: Thomas Urena, 330-759-2066.
• Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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