Renovated store offers a glimpse into the next generation of shopping
HARTSELLE, Ala., June 7, 2010 – The Walmart at 1201 Highway 31 NW in Hartselle 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 Hartselle Walmart Friday, June 11, during a grand re-opening ceremony at 8 a.m. 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 Angie Brandon.
“The City of Hartselle considers Walmart to be a great corporate citizen and wishes them continued success,” said Mayor Dwight Tankersley. “They are a tremendous asset to the city because they provide jobs for local residents and are also a major contributor to our tax base.”
New Layout Improves Customer Experience
The remodeled Hartselle 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 Brandon.
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, including LED televisions. 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 including laptops, cameras, phones and GPS units before purchase.
The digital photo lab, now located at the back of the store, has all new equipment to make printing your own digital photos more convenient than ever.
Shoppers looking to grab a quick lunch or dinner will have more choices in the store’s newly expanded deli.
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 11, and will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring the store’s five original associates at 8 a.m. During the ceremony, store associates will present grants from the Walmart Foundation to local service organizations, including Danville High School, Hartselle Historical Society, Kids to Love, S.N.A.P. of Hartselle and Sparkman Elementary School.
“Walmart displays its loyalty to the city through its continued involvement and willingness to contribute to local civic organizations, various city departments and the Hartselle City School System,” Tankersley 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 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
- Angie Brandon, 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 256-773-1675.
- 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.