Walmart's Seven Solutions Save the Memorial Day Cookout

BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- More than 70 million moms will be hosting or attending a cookout or barbecue in backyards across America this Memorial Day weekend(1). According to Christine Young, mother of six and author of a popular mom blog, From Dates to Diapers(2), summer's first cookout puts millions of these women at risk for dealing with potential blunders that come with the event. So to help Americans enjoy their Memorial Day cookouts to the fullest, Walmart and Young have developed "Seven Solutions to Save the Cookout." These easy-to-follow solutions include product ideas and additional savings(3) on specific items to help moms and cookout planners start the summer right.

"Memorial Day is the start of summer and the backyard cookout season," said Young, "This is such a fun time and moms can really show off their creativity and love for family and friends with a few basic summer entertaining tips. With a little preparation and great prices, moms won't have to worry about cookout mishaps, like sunburns and soggy hot dog buns. Walmart's one-stop shop solutions mean moms can focus on more important things: great food, great friends and having fun in the sun."

Solution 1: Budget for Your Party Food

With Walmart's shopping list planner, available at Walmart.com/grilling, moms can create an efficient grocery list based on the number of guests they'll feed. In the stores, they'll find Rollbacks on barbecue staples for $3, $2 and even $1, including:

• $3 and under: Ball Park beef franks (8 count; 16 ounces), Kraft singles (16 ounces), Breyers all-natural ice cream (variety of flavors; 48 ounces)
• $2 and under: Bush's baked or grillin' beans (22 to 28 ounces), Lay's chips (10.5 to 11 ounces), Kraft Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip (30 ounces)
• $1 and under: Heinz ketchup (40 ounces), Minute Maid or Tropicana juice (variety of flavors; 64 ounces)

Solution 2: Keep Grills Grilling

Once the gas grill is fired up to sear the juiciest burgers in the neighborhood, nothing is worse than running out of propane. Walmart has cookout tools at values worth the savings:

• Less than $20: Propane watch gauge  ($19.98)
• $17 Stainless steel 4-piece grill tool set with grill bush
• For the charcoal grills, Kingsford 2-pack charcoal (27.8 pounds) is only $9.50

Solution 3: Summer Style with Comfort

It's no fun being dressed in something cute but terribly uncomfortable. Walmart's new Faded Glory apparel offers quality, affordable basics to create style and comfort for the whole family, including:

• $12 Surplice dress for moms (sizes 4 to 18) and $6 sun dresses for girls
• $8 Polo shirts for dads (sizes S, M, L, XL) and $5 pique polo shirts for boys
• Starting at $4: 100% organic cotton t-shirts and polos for the whole family (assorted colors)

Solution 4: Splash the Table in Color

There's no need for unattractive disposable plates when reusable tableware can add style and save money in the long run. Walmart's exclusive Hometrends styles include shades of coral, green, yellow, red, and turquoise tableware along with affordable stylish patterns, including:  

• $1.50 each for Melamine plates, bowls and glasses
• $4 Vinyl tablecloths

Solution 5: Keep Your Eye on the Ball

Bored kids at a cookout can spell disaster. Keep all your guests busy with great backyard games perfect for all ages and any budget, including:

• $15 Sportcraft 5-in-1 outdoor game combo includes volleyball, badminton, shuttle smash, jai-lite and ball toss
• $19 Sportcraft bean bag toss set

Solution 6: Be Prepared for Bumps and Burns

Sunburns, scrapes and bruises can ruin any family outing.  Moms can keep their families healthy and happy with a summer sun emergency kit on hand for all summer outing occasions, including:

• Less than $9: Johnson & Johnson 182-piece first aid kit
• Less than $6: Banana Boat sun care (select formulas, 6 to 8 ounces)

Solution 7: Get Organized on the Go

Nearly half of moms(1) will be attending a cookout this weekend somewhere besides their own home, so Walmart's created new solutions for the right kind of carry-alls to pack up food, blankets and more.  In fact, the retailer has designed an exclusive, specially made rolling cooler this year built with all the "carry items" in mind, including compartments for cold food, exterior pockets and elastic cords for the blankets and items on top:

• Exclusive carry-all Ozark Trail 42-can rolling cooler just $29.88
• $5 multi-color woven tote

Visit Walmart.com/americansummer for more information and simple tips for outdoor family fun and meals.

(1) Research taken from Walmart Customer Insights – April 2010

(2) Christine Young is a Walmart Mom, official mom blogger

(3) Prices and items may vary in Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico, or online at Walmart.com. All prices do not include tax.

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or "Walmart," serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,400 retail units under 55 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine's 2009 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Walmartnews.  Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.

SOURCE Walmart