New store layout designed to improve shopping experience for customers
WHITESBURG, Ky., Oct. 29, 2010 – The Whitesburg Walmart, located at 350 Whitesburg Plaza, 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 Whitesburg Walmart, Friday, Nov. 5, during a grand re-opening ceremony at 8 a.m. Among the many improvements are a new layout, 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 Earline Delph.
New Layout Improves Customer Experience
Walmart 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 Delph.
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.
A redesigned 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, Nov. 5, at 8 a.m., and will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by a group of city and county officials and State Rep. Leslie Combs, who will all join charter associates who have been with the store since the original opening in 1984. The community is invited to join local singer Taylyn Combs as she performs the national anthem and as members of LCC JROTC Color Guard present the colors. An invocation will be offered by Shane Sturgill. The store will serve cake and punch to the community during the grand re-opening celebration.
During the ceremony, store associates will present grants from the Walmart Foundation to local service organizations, including Shop with a Trooper, Whitesburg Sheriff’s Office, Operation Lifesaver, Senior Citizens and Letcher County Food Pantry.
“Being a member of the Letcher County Chamber of Commerce, Walmart and their employees have always supported us in all the Chamber's projects,” said Joe DePriest, Chamber president. “We appreciate the investment in the remodeling of our Whitesburg store, and Walmart’s commitment to the future growth of Whitesburg and Letcher County,” he continued.
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 8,600 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 2010 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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