Recent News
February 1st, 2012
DVD rental kiosks will continue to be provided in the retail giant’s store, which had featured the first Redbox locations. DVD rental kiosk operator Redbox has extended its relationship with retail giant Walmart until Jan. 2015, the companies said Tuesday. Redbox, a unit of Coinstar, said Walmart will continue to feature its kiosks at more than 3,700 U.S. stores. The first Redbox kiosks were installed in Walmart stores in 2006. Financial terms of the renewal weren’t disclosed. “Redbox is proud to be located at America’s favorite retail destinations and to extend our relationship with Walmart,” said Maria Stipp, chief customer officer of Coinstar.
Read more at the Hollywood Reporter
January 31st, 2012
The second Walmart in Raynham is expected to open next year, a store spokesman said on Monday. “Store construction is expected to commence later this year which usually takes one calendar year to complete,” said Christopher N. Buchanan, a public affairs and government relations director for Walmart. “At this point, we are looking toward a 2013 grand opening however this is obviously subject to change.” A deed transfer was entered at the Bristol County Registry of Deeds late last week, according to records. Prospect Leasing sold the land on Route 138 to Walmart for $2.75 million.
Read more at the Taunton Gazette
January 31st, 2012
In two short days, Walmart patrons and volunteers collected 3,384 pounds of food for Treasure Coast Food Bank this month. And the Walmart volunteers fulfilled their goal of volunteering enough hours to earn a $5,000 donation for Treasure Coast Food Bank through Walmart’s Volunteerism Always Pays program. More than 50 volunteers helped gather donations at Walmarts in Martin and St. Lucie counties on Jan 20 and 21. And together, they contributed 276 hours, enabling them to submit their food drive for a $5,000 donation through Walmart’s Volunteerism Always Pays.
Read more at TCPalm.com
January 31st, 2012
Thanksgiving may have been two months ago, but there’s plenty of turkey in Fairbanks. The Fairbanks Community Food Bank received a surprising donation of 1,089 surplus frozen turkeys — more than 12 tons of the savory bird — from Wal-Mart late last week, and it’s going a long way to helping feed families in need. “I’ve never seen this many turkeys in January before,” said food bank Executive Director Samantha Kirstein, who said the post-holiday months usually are pretty slow for donations. The slow month paired with one of the coldest Januarys in recent memory makes the timing of the donation even more important for the food bank, Kirstein said.
Read more at at Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
January 30th, 2012
A new Walmart Neighborhood Market grocery store is coming to Modesto. The smaller-scale, grocery-oriented Wal-Mart store appears to be headed into the empty anchor spot in a shopping center at the corner of Coffee Road and Orangeburg Avenue. Delia Garcia, media director for Walmart West, confirmed the company’s intent Friday in an e-mail to The Bee. “We are pleased to share that Walmart plans to open a Neighborhood Market in Modesto,” she wrote. “… We believe a Neighborhood Market can be part of the solution for Modesto customers who want more affordable shopping options closer to home and we are very excited about the opportunity to serve them.
Read more at the Modesto Bee
January 30th, 2012
After an eight-year battle Alderman Howard Brookins, Jr. is finally able to celebrate his efforts to bring a Super Walmart store to his South Side ward. And the retailer took a monumental step in announcing it changed its employment policies and will hire ex-felons. Officials said this move gives everyone an opportunity to apply to work there. The Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer opened its first super store on the South Side Wednesday in the West Chatham community. “I cannot tell you how good it feels to finally see this store open and filled with customers,” said Brookins, whose 21st ward includes the store’s location at 8301 S. Holland Road. “And I want to thank the black press for sticking with this story for eight years. This is a story worth telling and a battle I would do all over again.”
Read more at Examiner.com
January 30th, 2012
The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce looked back at its 100-year history and celebrated the good works of many Thursday at its annual awards and dinner banquet. Chamber Executive Director Kim Ewoldsen presented its Business of the Year award to the Walmart Distribution Center for its work to alleviate area hunger. The DC has participated in the Let’s Feed Our Children free summer lunch program and the YMCA’s breakfast program for children, as well as provided food for cookouts at area senior centers. Its workers have volunteered more than 3,200 hours with local nonprofits, and teamed with Frary Lumber to build a ramp for two elderly women who didn’t have the means to build it themselves, Ewoldsen said.
Read more at Sauk Valley Newspapers
January 30th, 2012
The world’s largest retailer is set to substantially increase its purchases from woman-owned suppliers, from $2.5 billion today to $5 billion by the end of 2016. “Over the next five years, we anticipate increasing our sourcing from WBEs by about 15 to 20 percent annually,” stated Theresa Barrera, Walmart’s vice president of U.S. supplier diversity. Even though Walmart Stores operates 9,700 retail sites in 28 countries, such an escalation in WBE spending will require the company to create some new tactics, as well as intensify its current approaches. The push is part of a larger initiative to help empower women across Walmart’s supply chain around the world. The Bentonville, Ark-based company collaborated with leaders from government, nongovernment organizations, philanthropic groups and academia to establish and launch goals as part of its Global Women’s Economic Empowerment initiative.
Read more at Diversity & Commerce
January 30th, 2012
The Thurston County Boys & Girls Club has received a $40,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation, one of 10 grants totaling $375,000 distributed statewide by the organization and its Washington state giving council. The money will go toward the club’s Triple Play Health & Wellness Program, which helps more than 2,000 members, ages five to 18 become healthy, active and learn new ways to handle stress, maintain a healthy body and form positive relationships, according to a news release.
Read more at the Olympian
January 25th, 2012
Walmart is celebrating the grand opening of their new east Charlotte supercenter store on Independence Boulevard Wednesday. The new store employs 400 people and 250 of those are brand new jobs. Most of those people are ready to finally open the new store. “This is my first grand opening and I’m excited about it, because I never been to one before, so I wanted to see and experience what it would be like,” Elaine Stephenson said. This new location replaces the older Walmart on Eastway Drive, and many in the community are looking forward to seeing what this anchor store does for the area.
Read more at WCNC.com
