Walmart Kicks Off Holiday Season with On-the-Spot Promotion Ceremonies at Stores Across the Country

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Oct. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Walmart announced today that it is kicking off its holiday season with a special focus on more career opportunities for associates. The company expects to promote more than 160,000 associates to jobs with higher pay and more responsibility this year, including 25,000 promotions during its fourth quarter.

Top executives are traveling to stores today to congratulate promoted associates and thank them for the tremendous work they do serving the millions of customers who shop at Walmart. Promoted associates will receive higher pay and more responsibilities, as well as continued access to affordable health benefits.

"Our success from day one is a direct result of our associates and the hard work they do in taking care of our customers. We are proud to provide our people with additional opportunities for career growth and greater economic security for their families," said Bill Simon, Walmart U.S. president and CEO. "Like most Americans, our associates want good jobs and access to a better life. Whether you are a cashier in Charlotte, or a stocker in Dallas or an assistant manager in Los Angeles, Walmart wants to see you succeed."

Walmart provides more employment opportunities than any other company in America. In addition to standard salary and benefits, both full- and part-time associates at Walmart are eligible for quarterly bonuses based on the performance of their stores. Associates also receive a discount card to save 10 percent on most regularly priced general merchandise, fresh fruits and vegetables at any Walmart store.

"I have been working in retail since I was in high school. I knew I wanted more opportunity to build my career, so when I heard Walmart was coming to town I immediately applied for a job," said Yoselin Umana, a grocery department manager in North Bergen, NJ. "I have been with the company for four years now. I know I made the right choice for my career and my family."

Walmart equals opportunity:

• At any given time there are between 15,000 and 50,000 job openings at Walmart U.S.

Once you've got the job, the promotional opportunities are unparalleled:

• There are, on average, more than 400 promotions a day at Walmart.
• Walmart U.S. promotes more than 160,000 associates every year.
• 40 percent of those promotions last year went to people in their first year with the company.

After that, the sky's the limit:

• 75 percent of Walmart's store management teams started as hourly associates.
• More than 30,000 assistant managers earn an average of more than $40,000 a year.
• More than 4,000 store managers earn an average of $170,000 a year.

Today's promotions are in addition to Walmart's announcement in September to move 35,000 associates from temporary to part time and another 35,000 associates from part time to full time by the end of the year.

Also this year, as part of an effort to give greater flexibility to employees, Walmart is providing associates with access to open shifts, giving them the opportunity to pick up extra hours that fit with their personal schedules. The company is also providing priority status for existing employees to fill open positions, so current associates have the first opportunity to apply for open store positions, and access to supervisor roles at stores throughout the country.

"There is opportunity for everyone at Walmart. All you have to do is get your foot in the door," said Claudine McKenzie, store manager in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. "I started as a temporary associate 17 years ago and today I run my own store. I understand what this company has to offer people, and that's why one of the best parts of my job is helping my associates develop and grow their careers."

In addition to Bill Simon, Walmart U.S. president and CEO, other executives participating in today's events include Gisel Ruiz, Walmart U.S. COO, Michael Bender, president of Walmart West, Joaquin Gonzalez, president of Walmart East and Mike Moore, president of Walmart Central.

For media interested in covering an in-store promotions event today, please contact https://news.walmart.com/reporter/.

About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices.  Each week, more than 200 million customers and members visit our 11,000 stores under 69 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 10 countries. With fiscal year 2013 sales of approximately $466 billion, Walmart employs more than 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://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmartnewsroom. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

SOURCE Walmart Corporate Communications