Renovated store offers a glimpse into the next generation of shopping
SPRING LAKE, N.C., Aug. 9, 2010 – The Walmart at 670 Lillington Highway in Spring Lake 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 Spring Lake Walmart Friday, Aug. 13, during a grand re-opening ceremony at 7:30 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 Richard Johnson.
“Walmart is a great asset to the town of Spring Lake, providing jobs, community support and much needed retail service to our community,” said Mayor Ethel Clark. “Remodeling their facility shows Walmart’s continuing commitment to the prosperity of our town.”
New Layout Improves Customer Experience
The remodeled Spring Lake 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 Johnson.
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 seasonal department and hardware department.
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, Aug. 13, and will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. The Army’s 82nd Airborne Division choir will perform the national anthem. The two store associates who have worked at the store since its original opening in 1989 will cut the ribbon.
During the ceremony, store associates will present grants from the Walmart Foundation to local service organizations and schools, including Black Elementary School, Hillsborough Street Elementary School, Manchester Elementary School, Overhills High School JROTC Booster Association, Spring Lake Fire Department, Spring Lake Middle School, Spring Lake Parks and Recreation, Spring Lakes Police Department and Union Pines High School.
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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