Walmart on Pace to Create 10,000 Jobs in Chicago by 2015

CHICAGO, March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Walmart today announced two new Chicago stores that will help put the company well on its way to creating 10,000 jobs in the city by 2015.  At an event on the site of a new store at 76th and South Ashland, Mayor Richard M. Daley and Ald. Latasha Thomas joined Walmart to share plans for new small and mid-size stores in the West Englewood community that will each provide local residents with another option for affordable groceries. West Englewood is in the heart of a food desert and one of Chicago's most underserved communities.

These new stores, combined with the company's existing projects, will create close to 1,000 new jobs and nearly 200 construction jobs putting Walmart on the path to meeting the goals outlined in its "Chicago Community Investment Partnership."

"When I met with Walmart last year, I encouraged them to take an approach that addressed the needs of the urban shopper if they truly wanted to make a difference in our underserved neighborhoods," said Mayor Daley. "Today, it appears that Walmart has done just that by creating smaller urban store formats that will better serve our communities.  I applaud their leadership in creating jobs and providing retail and grocery services in areas of the city that need it most."

Walmart's investment in Chicago now includes the following projects:

• Supercenter in Pullman at 111th St. and South Doty Ave. (opening spring 2013)
• Supercenter in West Chatham at 83rd St. and Stewart Ave. (opening spring 2012)
• Walmart Market in the West Loop at West Monroe St. and South Jefferson St. (opening fall 2011)
• Walmart Market in West Englewood at West 76th St. and South Ashland Ave. (opening spring 2012)
• Walmart Express™ in West Englewood at South Western Ave. and West 71st St. (opening winter 2012)
• Walmart Express™ in West Chatham at 83rd St. and Stewart Ave. (opening summer 2011)

"Mayor Daley has been a champion of economic development in the city and his support of Walmart through the years has allowed us the opportunity to do what we do best: open stores that create jobs and offer a broad assortment of products at everyday low prices," said Julie Murphy, Senior Vice President, Walmart U.S., who is based in Chicago.  "Moving forward, we will continue to identify sites in Chicago's food deserts, while also looking for opportunities to help even more Chicagoans save money and live better."

Chicago's Walmart Express™ stores will be less than 30,000 sq. ft and will focus on a broad assortment of brands at everyday low prices, selling grocery, pharmacy and limited general merchandise.  Walmart Market – previously called Neighborhood Market – will range in size from 30,000 to 60,000 sq. ft. and provide a wider assortment of fresh grocery, as well as a bakery and delicatessen. The Walmart Supercenter will continue to serve as a one-stop destination, offering full service grocery as well as a wide range of general merchandise.

"I am extremely pleased that Walmart has chosen to invest in the Auburn Gresham/West Englewood neighborhoods.  Walmart recognizes that the residents of the 17th Ward desire to spend their hard earned money on quality goods," said Alderman Latasha Thomas.  "The new jobs, economic development and access to quality fresh produce will be welcomed by the residents of these communities." 

In June 2010, Walmart announced the "Chicago Community Investment Partnership," a five-year plan to open several dozen stores, create approximately 10,000 jobs and 2,000 unionized construction jobs, generate more than $500 million in sales and property taxes and develop charitable partnerships worth $20 million.

"We welcome Walmart's continued investment in Chicago and the region," said Jerry Roper, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.  "It is our mission for Chicago to be the most business-friendly and innovative city in the United States and Walmart's proposed expansion here will illustrate that Chicago has charted a course towards economic recovery."

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at 8,970 retail units under 60 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.

SOURCE Walmart