Renovated store offers a glimpse into the next generation of shopping
WINCHESTER, Tenn., May 31, 2010 – The Winchester Walmart, located at 2675 Decherd Blvd., will celebrate a grand re-opening this week, giving local shoppers a glimpse of the company’s next generation of store design and customer experience. The results of a three-month remodeling project will be unveiled at the Winchester Walmart at 8 a.m., Friday, June 4. Among the many improvements are a new layout, wider aisles, low-profile shelving, bright interior paint scheme, enhanced lighting and easy-to-read signage to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers than ever before.
“We listened to our customers and have redesigned the store to make shopping at Walmart even easier,” said store manager Ramona Gunselman.
New Layout Improves Customer Experience
The remodeled Winchester store features a more open shopping environment with wider aisles that contain no product displays. Walmart also aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently, making it quicker to purchase everyday items.
“The new layout is easier to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for necessities,” said Gunselman.
Among the changes, Walmart has combined the Site-to-Store pick-up location and photo lab into a single area at the rear of the store. Customers now have ready access to these services as well as associates who can provide assistance as needed.
A bright interior paint scheme and enhanced lighting create a more inviting shopping experience and help define the store’s merchandise areas. Low-profile shelving creates an improved sightline and directional signage helps customers find the products they need.
Expanded Departments Add Value and Savings
The remodel also brings Walmart customers an expanded electronics department featuring a wide selection of the latest consumer electronics and home entertainment. The new design includes a more hands-on experience for customers with interactive displays for hi-definition Blu-ray, video gaming and portable electronics. The interactive experience enables shoppers to test new technology.
A new department called Celebration Station has been added and will feature party supplies, greeting cards, balloons and helium tanks, cake supplies and gift wrap.
Grand Re-opening Activities Include Support for Local Organizations
The grand re-opening celebration is scheduled for Friday, June 4, and will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m. During the ceremony, store associates will present $5,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to local organizations, including the City of Winchester Dogwood Festival, the Quarterback Club and two local high schools for their “project graduation” events.
Country music singer Collin Raye will sing the national anthem and sign autographs after the ceremony on Friday. Members of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce will cut the ribbon. Judy Taylor, executive director at the chamber, expressed her gratitude to the Winchester store for its investment in Franklin County and “superior” service to customers.
“Walmart is constantly striving to provide a cutting edge facility, meet the needs of consumers in Franklin County and provide quality products and service to our community,” Taylor said. “Walmart is an active member of our Chamber of Commerce. Store manager Ramona Gunselman serves on the Chamber Board and is engaged in our community happenings and needs.”
“As a partner in education and through its many contributions to various schools and organizations, the impact of Walmart is felt throughout our county,” she added.
About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or “Walmart,” serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,400 retail units under 55 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.0 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine’s 2009 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.
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EDITOR’S NOTES
- Ramona Gunselman, store manager, can provide details about the grand re-opening, offer quotes for interviews and arrange for photo opportunities or preview tours. She can be contacted at 931-967-0207.
- Walmart PR and Brand Reputation, 800-331-0085
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is the legal trade name of the corporation. The name "Walmart," expressed as one word and without punctuation, is a trademark of the company and is used analogously to describe the company and its stores. Use the trade name when it is necessary to identify the legal entity, such as when reporting financial results, litigation or corporate governance.