New design features expanded selections, more opportunities to save
GREENVILLE, S.C., July 26, 2010 – The Walmart at 1451 Woodruff Road in Greenville 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 Woodruff Road Walmart Friday, July 30, during a grand re-opening ceremony at 9 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 Cecelia Porch.
“The Woodruff Road store is a benefit to our area and has been a good neighbor and strong supporter of our community,” said Mauldin Mayor Don Godbey. “We’re pleased to see that Walmart takes pride in reinvesting in the store and the community.”
New Layout Improves Customer Experience
The remodeled Woodruff Road 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 Porch.
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 including laptops, cameras, phones and GPS units before purchase.
The store also features an expanded drink selection, including beer and wine, as well as a broader assortment of grocery items such as ice cream cakes in the bakery.
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, July 30, and will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. During the ceremony, store associates will present a check for $60,000 to the Children’s Miracle Network. The store raised the money in a six-week period beginning May 1, primarily through donations at the register. Associates will also present $5,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to local service organizations, including March of Dimes, St. Francis Hospital, Trees of Greenville, Upper State Youth and the Youth Fishing Derby.
In addition, eight Volunteerism Always Pays (VAP) grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 will be awarded. Through Walmart’s VAP program, store associates may request charitable contributions on behalf of eligible organizations where they volunteer.
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 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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