Newly relocated Walmart provides 85 new jobs

HOMOSASSA, Fla., April 2, 2012 - A newly relocated Walmart opens this month in Homosassa, bringing 85 new jobs, savings for local shoppers and an increase in tax revenue to support the area's economy. Nonprofit organizations will also benefit from the retailer's ongoing charitable contributions and support for community projects. The Walmart, located at 6885 S. Suncoast Blvd., at the intersection of Highway 19 and Cardinal Lane, opens to customers Wednesday, April 11, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Economic Impact Includes Approximately 85 New Jobs

The Homosassa store plans to employ approximately 250 associates. Several associates have transferred to the new store from existing Walmart locations and have worked for the company for more than 10 years. Walmart has been a part of the Homosassa community since 1987.

"Walmart provides job opportunities and career choices for everyone from seniors looking for supplemental income to young people wanting to gain work experience," said store manager Edward Shaw. He started his career with Walmart in 1996 in Saint Augustine.

Store Designed to Improve Customer Experience

In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh its stores, merchandising and customer experience. The improvements have all come together in the company's newest stores, such as the Homosassa Walmart, with fast service, a friendly shopping experience and clean stores.

The new Walmart features enhanced services and a layout designed to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers. Walmart aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently.

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

A bright interior color palette creates an inviting shopping experience and helps define the store's merchandise areas. Lower shelving creates an improved sightline and directional signage on every aisle helps customers find what they are looking for quickly. Walmart also combined the customer service desk and the Site-to-Store pick-up location in one area near the entrance. Customers now have easy access to these services, as well as associates on hand to help meet their needs.

Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features

The new Homosassa Walmart, like all new Walmart stores, 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 in the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting.

The concrete flooring throughout the store reduces the need for chemical cleaners. Low-flow toilets and no-touch faucets reduce the water used in the bathrooms. The new store also operates a recycling program and will promote sustainable product purchases.

Ribbon-Cutting Celebration, 7:30 a.m., April 11

Community and businesses leaders will join store associates for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 11.

Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants

As part of Walmart's commitment to the communities in which it operates, grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented to local organizations during the grand-opening ceremony. We Care Food Pantry, Shop With a Cop and the Lions Club will each be presented with grants.

"From the Walmart Corporate Offices down to the individual employees, no county-wide retailer gives as much back to our community as does Walmart," said Citrus County Commissioner Winn Webb. "Just ask any of our local non-profit or service organizations who partner with local Walmart stores on a regular basis. Citrus County residents are very fortunate to have community-minded Walmart as our neighbor."

"Walmart has always supported our food pantry both with donations and with volunteer hours," said Diane Toto, We Care Food Pantry president. "Anytime I ever need something, I can always count on Walmart. We work hand-in-hand."

About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 10,000 retail units under 69 different banners in 27 countries. With fiscal year 2012 sales of approximately $444 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 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 Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

FACT SHEET
Homosassa Walmart Store facts
  • Location: 6885 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, Fla.
  • Formerly located at: 3826 S. Suncoast Blvd.
  • 120,000-square-foot Walmart
  • Store opens at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 11, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony
  • Store manager: Edward Shaw
  • Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Store features
  • Full line of groceries, including meat and dairy products, fresh produce, and beer and wine
  • More than 30 merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, a lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, and an expanded electronics department
  • Convenience services include a pharmacy with two drive-thru lanes, digital photo processing center, Walmart Connect Center and a Walmart MoneyCenter
  • Leased areas include a Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins
Charitable Giving

Grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented to the following area organizations:

  • We Care Food Pantry
  • Lions Club
  • Shop With a Cop
Employment
  • Store plans to employ approximately 250 associates
  • The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Florida is approximately $12.47 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, an Associate Stock Purchase Program and company-paid life insurance. Additionally, eligible associates receive a quarterly incentive based on store performance.

###

distributed by

This press release was issued by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and was initially posted at http://walmartstores.com/pressroom/news/10860.aspx . It was distributed, unedited and unaltered, by noodls on 2012-04-02 17:30:52 PM. The issuer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information contained therein.