Wal-Mart Supercenter now open
Source: The Breese Journal, Thursday, June 18, 2009
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Newly relocated Wal-Mart on Route 127 North provides 50 new jobs
The new Wal-Mart opened this week inCarlyle, bringing approximately 50 planned new jobs and an increase in tax revenue to support the area’s economy.
Wal-Mart, located at 2591 12th St. (Route 127 North), opened to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, June 17.
In recent months, Wal-Mart 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 new Carlyle Walmart.
The new store features wide aisles, enhanced service and a layout designed to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers. Wal-Mart aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently. The pharmacy, for example, is adjacent to food making it easier for customers to pick up their prescriptions while shopping for their groceries.
“The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities,” said store manager Keith Mitchell. “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.”
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. Wal-Mart also combined the customer service desk, site to store pick-up location and photo lab 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.
Approximately 50 new jobs were created as a result of the relocation. More than 30 of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years, including four associates who have worked at the store since its original opening in 1982.
Community organizations to benefit from grand-opening grants
As part of Wal-Mart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $13,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. The following organizations will each receive funds to support programs that serve the community: American Heart Association; Clinton County Agriculture in the Classroom; Clinton County Senior Services; Ducks Unlimited, Carlyle Lake Chapter; Healthcare Foundation; Kaskaskia College Adult Education and Literacy; Matthew 25 Ecumenical Food Pantry and University of Illinois Extension.
Store design incorporates environmentally friendly features
The Carlyle Wal-Mart, like all new Wal-Mart 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 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. The new store also operates a recycling program and will promote sustainable product purchases.
Ribbon-cutting celebration 7:30 a.m., June 17
Community and business leaders joined Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Carlyle High School Jazz Band performed and store associates who have worked at the store since its original opening in 1982 cut the ribbon to the new store.
Also see previous article: Walmart Supercenter on track for June 17 opening (pdf)
Source: The Breese Journal, May 13, 2009
