Renovated store offers a glimpse into the next generation of shopping
BATON ROUGE, La., June 25, 2010 – The Baton Rouge Walmart, located at 9350 Cortana Place, 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 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m., Friday, July 2. 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.
“We listened to our customers and have redesigned the store to make shopping at Walmart even easier,” said store manager Mamie Woulard.
“We spend a lot of effort to attract new business and industry to Baton Rouge, but it’s also important to recognize that established corporate neighbors like Walmart are reinvesting in our city as well,” Mayor Melvin “Kip” Holden said. “Major renovations like the recently completed project at the Cortana Walmart make Baton Rouge a better place to shop, and ultimately, a better place to live.”
New Layout Improves Customer Experience
The remodeled Cortana 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 Woulard.
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, 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, July 2, and will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. During the ceremony, store associates will present a total of $2,750 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to local organizations, including:
- City of Baton Rouge Fire Prevention Committee
- City of Baton Rouge Police Department
- Louisiana Senior Olympic Games
- Louisiana Troopers Charities
“In addition to grants from the Walmart Foundation, we’ve supported these agencies and other community charitable efforts for years by hosting fundraisers, providing volunteers and giving in-kind merchandise donations,” said Woulard. “We think of them as our partners and consider it a privilege to support the good work they do.”
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed $2 billion to U.S. hunger relief efforts through 2015. The Fighting Hunger Together campaign will also engage Walmart customers and associates in the fight against hunger. More information can be found at walmart.com/fightinghunger.
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.
# # #
EDITOR’S NOTES
- Mamie Woulard, 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 225-923-3400.
- 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.