Wal-Mart to Unveil New Supercenter in West Des Moines
Store to cater to the community with new merchandise areas, architectural features
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, July 17, 2006- With unique architectural
traits including arched glass windows and exterior stone pillars, the new Wal-Mart Supercenter in West Des Moines is scheduled to open Wednesday, July 19, at 6365 Stagecoach Drive in the Jordan Creek area. The new store will provide area residents with one-stop shopping at its best. As one of the most unique Supercenters opening this year, the new store aims to reflect the community while enhancing the shopping experience, from exterior enhancements in landscaping, architecture, wider aisles and new interior designs to a new hi-tech electronics section, new trend clothing brands and a large offering of organic products.
“Wal-Mart conducted a great deal of research to determine how we can best serve West Des Moines and surrounding communities, including what was underserved and what customers desire when it comes to shopping for grocery and general merchandise. This store has everything that everyone loves about Wal-Mart and more,” says Store Manager Beth Runyan. “West Des Moines residents will experience one of the finest Wal-Mart stores in the country and our associates are thrilled for this store to debut,” adds Runyan. More than 1,200 people applied for the 400 new jobs at the store.
The new West Des Moines Supercenter opening follows the grand re-opening celebration of the Des Moines Supercenter at 5101 S.E. 14th St., which also has seen added improvements in product and design as a part of Wal-Mart largest effort to date to dramatically enhance the products and shopping experience at its stores.
New Supercenter Offers New Product Features
The West Des Moines Wal-Mart Supercenter has 36 general merchandise departments. In addition to the regular Wal-Mart offerings, the new store includes special features such as an expanded electronics department with plasma-screen and high-definition televisions. The department also offers a new build-your-own-computer feature by Hewlett-Packard, where customers can select their own computer monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor. Runyan says customers will be able to purchase items in one of three cash registers in the electronics department, which is a unique feature for the store.
Other added features include wood flooring in the apparel departments, a large selection of Wal-Mart’s popular George clothing line, an expanded lawn and garden center offering plants from the Dallas Johnson Greenhouse in Council Bluffs and the convenience of two pharmacy drive-through lanes for prescription pick-ups.
“We want our customers to see this store as a destination for both great value and atmosphere,” says Runyan. “In addition, we are committed to being a good neighbor and have set the bar high for customer service.”
As with all Wal-Mart Supercenters, the West Des Moines store will have a full line of groceries as well as a bakery, a delicatessen, a frozen food section and meat, dairy and fresh produce sections including Anderson Erickson Dairy products and new organic foods. The store will also offer fine jewelry, health and beauty aids, a Tire & Lube Express, a Subway restaurant, a Smart Style hair salon, a Da Vi Nails salon, a one-hour photo lab, a portrait studio, a vision center, a Wal-Mart Connect Center for wireless phone sales and Companion Health Services.
More than $35,500 Donated to Local Charities
In celebration of the grand opening, the store will give more than $35,500 to area organizations including the Dallas County Local Housing Trust Fund, the Healing Field Foundation and Amanda Cares Inc. Each Wal-Mart
store has the opportunity for many organizations to receive grants upon opening day and throughout the year through Wal-Mart’s Good Works community involvement program.
Editor’s Note: A complete listing of organizations receiving grand opening grants can be found on the fact sheet at the end of this release.
Grand Opening Ceremony Details
The public is invited to attend the store’s grand opening celebration which is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19. The store will open following the ceremony at 8 a.m.
On hand to help the store welcome its guests will be Cubbie, the Iowa Cubs mascot, Iowa university mascots, Chester Cheetah, and a Keebler elf. Our younger guests will also enjoy balloon animals and face painting along with entertainment provided by clowns. The festivities will be accompanied with samples from Weston Bakery and Red Bull.
Wal-Mart in Iowa
EDITOR’S NOTE: see www.walmartfacts.com for more information about Wal-Mart in Iowa.
As of June 2006, Wal-Mart employed 17,638 associates and owned and operated the following facilities in Iowa:
• Supercenters: 40
• Discount stores: 15
• SAM’S CLUBS: 7
• Distribution Centers: 1
In 2005, Wal-Mart collected on behalf of Iowa more than $141.7 million in sales taxes and paid more than $26.1 million in state and local taxes.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. operates Wal-Mart discount stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM’S CLUB locations in the United States. The company has operations in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company’s securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and NYSE Arca, formerly the Pacific Stock Exchange, under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartfacts.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com
EDITOR’S NOTES
• Wal-Mart store employees are called associates.
• Beth Runyan, store manager, can provide details about the grand opening, offer quotes for interviews and arrange for photo opportunities or preview tours. She can be contacted at 515-453-2747.
* Average wage taken yearly (December 2005). See www.walmartfacts.com for more details.
FACT SHEET
West Des Moines Wal-Mart Supercenter
Store fast facts
• Location: 6365 Stagecoach Drive, West Des Moines, Iowa
• 222,642-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter
• Store opening 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 19; 7:30 a.m. grand opening ceremony
• Store Manager: Beth Runyan
Charitable giving
• $35,500 in charitable contributions to 14 area organizations
• Amanda Cares Inc.
• American Veterans
• City of Clive Public Library
• City of Norwalk Fire Department
• City of Norwalk Police Department
• City of Waukee Police Department
• Dallas County Local Housing Trust Fund
• Greater Des Moines Partnership
• Healing Field Foundation
• Hoover High School
• Waukee Foundation - RAGBRAI
• West Des Moines Community Development
• West Des Moines Human Services Department
Store features
• Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli items, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, organic products, apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, full line of electronics, Tire & Lube Express, Subway restaurant, Smart Style hair salon, Da Vi Nails salon, one-hour photo lab, portrait studio, vision center, pharmacy with two drive-through lanes, Wal-Mart Connect Center and a Companion Health Services
• Open 6 a.m. until midnight, seven days per week
• 19 full-service and eight express check-out lanes
Employment
• Total employment is 400; 1,200 applicants
• As of July 2006, Wal-Mart employed 17,638 associates in Iowa.
• The average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates in Iowa is $10.30 per hour.*
• Wal-Mart benefits – available to full- and part-time associates – include healthcare insurance with no lifetime maximum. Wal-Mart offers a choice of as many as 18 health plans that cost as little as $11 a month in some areas. Both full and part-time Wal-Mart associates are eligible for health care benefits. Wal-Mart also offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing contributions, whether an associate contributes or not, store discount cards, performance-based bonuses, discounted stock purchase program and life insurance.
• Approximately 76 percent of Wal-Mart store managers started as hourly associates.
* Average wage taken December 2005. See www.walmartfacts.com for details.
For more information
• Store manager: Beth Runyan, 515-453-2747
• Wal-Mart information online: www.walmartfacts.com: merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
- # # # -
|