Walmart Grand Opens First Supercentre in New Brunswick
- Saint John Walmart now offers a full assortment of fresh groceries
- Walmart launches Maritime sourcing program - Taste of the Maritimes
- Retailer on track to open nine Maritime Supercentres by January 31, 2014
SAINT JOHN, NB, Aug. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada today unveiled its first Supercentre in New Brunswick with a grand opening ceremony this morning held in Saint John at 450 Westmorland Road. The 129,000 square foot store has been remodeled to create the new fresh grocery section. The retailer has also augmented the dry, fresh and frozen offering providing customers with a complete one-stop grocery destination where they can also pick up the general merchandise items on their shopping lists.
The retailer today also officially launched its Maritime sourcing program for produce. This program, entitled Taste of the Maritimes, helps customers easily find produce from the Maritimes by looking for the Taste of the Maritimes logo on the shelves in the new fresh section at all Maritime supercentres.
"We are extremely proud to begin offering a full assortment of fresh groceries to our customers in New Brunswick," said John Brea, vice president for Walmart Atlantic Canada. "The team in Saint John is thrilled to begin helping their customers save money on their weekly grocery shop. We are also eagerly awaiting feedback from our customers, particularly about the local offering," added Brea. "To be successful, we are committed to ensuring we have the right assortment to meet our customers' expectations for high-quality fresh products."
As of today, Walmart has listed 24 new grocery suppliers located in the Maritimes for items from dry grocery to fruit and vegetables to meat and seafood, and will continue meeting with potential new suppliers as it expands its grocery offering.
The store is one of 37 Supercentre projects planned across Canada 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 Saint John East Walmart originally opened as a Walmart discount store in 2001. The renovated 129,000 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, SmartStyle hair salon, Tire & Lube Express for automotive services, 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 Saint John East Walmart Supercentre employs 250 associates. To fill the 20 new jobs created with the conversion, Walmart held recruitment drives drawing nearly 450 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 Saint John East Walmart donated and raised more than $45,000 for charities and organizations in need. At today's grand opening, the store donated a total $4,000 to 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
Tanya Peach is proud to lead the Saint John East Walmart Supercentre team as the store manager. Peach is an example of the career growth Walmart can provide. She began her career at Walmart in 2004 as an assistant manager year and was promoted to store manager in 2008. She also enjoys working with local community groups.
By the numbers
Saint John East Walmart Supercentre:
- 250 associates
- 20 new jobs created by the conversion
- 129,000 square feet
- 9th supercentre project completed this year
Across Canada:
- 7,000 new positions created by Walmart Canada expansion plans this year
- 37 projects in the company's expansion plan this fiscal year (ending January 31, 2014)
- $450 million invested for the 37 projects
- 219 supercentres and 161 discount stores as of today
- 380 Walmart stores total
About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of 380 locations nationwide including 219 Supercentres. The retailer serves more than one million customers each day at its stores, 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.
SOURCE: Walmart Canada
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