HALIFAX, July 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada today unveiled its first Supercentre in Atlantic Canada at its Halifax Centre store located in the Halifax Shopping Centre Annex at 6990 Mumford Road.
"We have worked hard to ensure all of our customers will enjoy the changes to the store, especially the addition of fresh food," said store manager Anthony Brake. "We're so excited to unveil the results of many months of hard work."
The store is one of 37 Supercentre projects planned for the company's current fiscal year which ends January 31, 2014. The 37 projects, which were announced earlier this year, include building new stores and expanding, remodelling or relocating existing stores and represent an investment of more than $450 million in the Canadian economy.
One-stop shopping
The Halifax Centre Walmart originally opened as a Walmart discount store in 2001. The renovated 145,000 square foot supercentre now offers a full line of groceries including bakery goods, deli, meat and dairy products as well as fresh produce. This is in addition to the existing departments including electronics, home décor and apparel, creating a one-stop shopping destination dedicated to everyday low prices. The store also offers a pharmacy, vision centre, connection centre for wireless services, photo centre, portrait studio, Tire & Lube Express for automotive services, Good to Go! Lotto, McDonald's, and Western Union.
Customers will also appreciate the store's updated design, which includes easy-to-navigate aisles with directional signage and a bright interior colour palette defining the store's merchandise areas.
New jobs
The Halifax Centre Walmart Supercentre employs 280 associates. To fill the 30 new jobs created with the conversion, Walmart held recruitment drives drawing nearly 300 applications for roles such as cashiers, food managers, and other hourly positions.
Commitment to sustainability
Walmart continues to drive environmental sustainability through energy efficiency initiatives. The store features LED exterior signage, waste diversion streams including paper and plastic, and sells environmentally-preferable products.
Community involvement
Walmart has one of the strongest community involvement programs in Canada. The company's mission is to help Canadian families in need. In 2012, the Halifax Centre Walmart donated and raised more than $70,000 for charities and organizations in need. At today's grand opening, the store donated a total $10,000 to five worthy groups and will build on these donations with additional charitable and community support and fundraising throughout the year.
Block party
Grand opening festivities will continue on Saturday. The store will be hosting its Grand Opening Block Party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Customers can enjoy face-painting, live music, refreshments and samples.
Store manager
Anthony Brake is excited to lead the Halifax Centre Walmart Supercentre team as the store manager. Brake began his career in retail at Walmart 19 years ago and is an example of the career growth Walmart can provide. He also enjoys working with local community groups.
By the numbers
Halifax Centre Walmart Supercentre:
Across Canada:
About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of 380 locations nationwide including 217 Supercentres. The retailer serves more than one million customers each day, and its online store, www.walmart.ca, is visited by over one million Canadians daily. With 95,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and is recognized by Waterstone Human Capital as having one of Canada's top 10 corporate cultures. Walmart Canada's community giving program is focused on helping Canadian families in need. Since 1994, Walmart has donated and raised more than $180 million to Canadian charities and not-for-profit organizations. Additional company information can be found at walmartcanada.ca, facebook.com/walmartcanada and at twitter.com/@walmartcanada.
Editorial note:
Photos of the grand opening will be available on walmartcanada.ca/pressroom at 11 a.m.
Image with caption: "Walmart Canada unveils its first Supercentre in Atlantic Canada at its Halifax Centre store, located in the Halifax Shopping Centre Annex. From left to right: Walmart district manager Darrin Marchand, associates Eileen Pottie and Joan MacLeod, Walmart Canada President and CEO Shelley Broader, and store manager Anthony Brake. (CNW Group/Walmart Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130726_C9838_PHOTO_EN_29337.jpg
Image with caption: "Walmart associate Amanda Thompson stocks fresh bananas at the newly unveiled Halifax Centre Walmart Supercentre. (CNW Group/Walmart Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130726_C9838_PHOTO_EN_29325.jpg
SOURCE: Walmart Canada
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