Walmart Brings Savings on Fresh Produce to Freehold

 Expanded Store adds full line of groceries and 80 new jobs

FREEHOLD, N.J., Sept. 1, 2011 – The wait is over for residents in Freehold eager to see their Walmart at 326 W. Main St. bring savings to local shoppers on a full line of groceries and a wide assortment of new products and services. The newly expanded Walmart will open to customers at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The store originally opened in 2006. The expansion has increased the store’s size by approximately 35,000 square-feet, including a full line of fresh produce, meats, bakery and a deli.

“We have a loyal customer base and some have been shopping here since our original opening,” said store manager Aaron Klein. “We think they’ll love the easy-to-shop layout of the new Walmart and appreciate the savings we offer on the products they are looking for.”

In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh its stores, merchandise and customer experience. The improvements have all come together in the company’s newest stores, such as the Freehold Walmart, with faster service and a friendlier shopping experience.

“The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities,” said Klein. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase, including health and beauty and pet supplies, we are making one-stop shopping even easier.”

The store plans to employ approximately 300 associates, including approximately 80 positions created by the expansion. “Joining Walmart was a great career decision for me, as it has been for so many of my fellow associates,” Klein said. “I am proud to work for this company where there are unlimited opportunities and bring those opportunities to our community and neighbors.”

The Freehold store includes energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store’s skylights harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily. LED lighting throughout the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. Part of the cement used in the concrete flooring is made with recycled materials, and the floor’s finish reduces the need for chemical cleaners. Low-flow toilets and faucets reduce the water used in the bathrooms.

Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14 for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of Freehold will present the colors and a Walmart associate will sing the national anthem. As part of the grand opening, associates will present grants on behalf of the Walmart Foundation to local community organizations.

About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 9,600 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

• Location: 326 W. Main St., Freehold, N.J.
• 182,000-square-foot Walmart, gaining an additional 35,000 square feet
• Store opens at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14, following a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony
• Store manager: Aaron Klein
• Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

• Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce
• More than 30 merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, garden center, health and beauty aids, and expanded electronics
• Convenience services include a pharmacy, vision center, digital photo processing center and Walmart Connect Center
• Leased areas and services include Subway Restaurant and Regal Nail Salon

• Store plans to employ approximately 300 associates, including approximately 80 positions created by the expansion
• The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in New Jersey is approximately $12.38 per hour*
• Walmart’s benefit program is available to eligible full- and part-time associates and provides a variety of affordable health and well-being benefits including medical insurance with no lifetime maximum. Walmart also offers matching 401(k) contributions of up to 6 percent of pay, discounts on general merchandise for store associates, a Sam’s Club membership for club associates, an Associate Stock Purchase Program and company-paid life insurance. Additionally, eligible associates receive an annual incentive based on the company performance.

* Average wage taken June 2011. See www.walmartstores.com for details.

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