New store adds full line of groceries and 200 new jobs
NORRISTOWN, Pa., May 8, 2009 – The wait is over for residents in Norristown eager to see their Walmart at 650 S. Trooper Road bring savings to local shoppers on a full line of groceries and a wide assortment of new products and services. The new Walmart is designed to make shopping easy for customers. The layout creates an open shopping environment with wider aisles that contain no product displays. Walmart also aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently. The pharmacy, for example, is adjacent to food making it easier for customers to pick up their prescriptions while shopping for their groceries. The store will open to customers at 7 a.m., Wednesday, after a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The store originally opened in 2001 in West Norriton Township. The expansion has increased the store’s size by more than 62,000 square feet including a full line of fresh produce, meats, bakery and an expanded electronics department.
“We have a loyal customer base and some have been shopping here since our original opening,” said Store Manager Bill Begley. “We think they’ll love the easy-to-shop layout of the new Walmart and appreciate the savings we offer on the products they are looking for.” The store is among the first stores in the country to feature the new Walmart store design.
Expanded Walmart Adds 200 New Jobs
The store plans to employ approximately 425 associates, including approximately 200 positions created by the relocation. “Joining Walmart was a great career decision for me, as it has been for so many of my fellow associates,” Begley said. “As a native of Norristown I am proud to bring good jobs with career opportunities our community and neighbors.”
Layout Improves Customer Experience
In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh its stores, its merchandise and its customer experience. The improvements have all come together in the company’s newest stores, such as the Norristown store, with faster service, a friendlier shopping experience and cleaner stores.
“The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities,” said Begley. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase including health and beauty and pet supplies, we are making one-stop shopping even easier.”
Lower shelving creates an improved sightline and directional signage on every aisle helps customers find what they are looking for quickly. Walmart also combined the customer service desk, site to store pick-up location and photo lab in one area near the entrance. Customers now have easy access to these services, as well as associates on hand to help meet their needs.
Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Norristown store, like all new Walmart stores, includes energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store’s 150 skylights harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily. LED lighting in the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. The concrete flooring is made with recycled materials and reduces the need for chemical cleaners. Low-flow toilets and faucets reduce the water used in the bathrooms.
Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants
The store is continuing its support of the area by giving $8,000 in grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation to local organizations. That support includes grants to Family Service of Montgomery County as well as to several West Norriton groups including the Little League, police department and fire department.
Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 7 a.m., May 13
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Five associates who were working for the store at its original opening in 2001 will cut the ribbon to officially open the expanded store. Throughout the day, customers will be able to enjoy character appearances, product samples and giveaways.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Walmart Brings Savings and Convenience to Jacksonville
New Walmart provides 400 jobs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 13, 2009 – A new Walmart opens this month in Jacksonville, bringing 400 new jobs, savings for local shoppers and an increase in tax revenue to support the area’s economy. Nonprofit organizations will also benefit from the retailer’s ongoing charitable contributions and support for community projects. The Walmart, located at 10251 Shops Lane, will be open to customers at 8:15 a.m., Wednesday, May 20th.
Store Designed to Improve Customer Experience
In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh its stores, merchandising and customer experience. The improvements have all come together in the company’s newest stores, such as the Jacksonville Walmart, with fast service, a friendly shopping experience and clean stores.
The new Walmart features wide aisles, enhanced service and a layout designed to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers. Walmart aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently. The pharmacy, for example, is adjacent to food making it easier for customers to pick up their prescriptions while shopping for their groceries.
“The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities,” said Store Manager Scott Mallatt. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase including health and beauty and pet supplies, we are making one-stop shopping even easier.”
A bright interior color palette creates an inviting shopping experience and helps define the store’s merchandise areas. Lower shelving creates an improved sightline and directional signage on every aisle helps customers find what they are looking for quickly. Walmart also combined the customer service desk, site to store pick-up location and photo lab in one area near the entrance. Customers now have easy access to these services, as well as associates on hand to help meet their needs.
Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $25,000 in grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. The following organizations will each receive $5,000 to support programs that serve the community: Lutheran Social Services of Northwest Florida, Greenland Pines Elementary School and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. Senior Life Foundation, March of Dimes and the Police Athletic League of Jacksonville will each receive $2,500, and the Creek Side High School Bank and Give Kids the World will receive $1,000. The local Boy Scouts troop will also receive $500.
Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
The Jacksonville Walmart, like all new Walmart stores, includes energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store’s skylights harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily. LED lighting in the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting.
The cement used in the concrete flooring is made with recycled materials, and the floor’s finish reduces the need for chemical cleaners. Low-flow toilets and faucets reduce the water used in the bathrooms. The new store also operates a recycling program and will promote sustainable product purchases.
Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 7:30 a.m., May 20
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Store Associate Marilyn Prince will perform the national anthem, and members of a local Boy Scouts of America troop will present the colors. Mallatt and other associates will cut the ribbon to the new store.
Walmart Readies Electronics Area with New Products, Features and Technologies
Newly designed aisles and brand areas aim to simplify shopping experience
Bentonville, Ark. (May 19, 2009) – Walmart announced today its plans to add more new products and features to its consumer electronics area across its 3,500 stores. This week, market electronics managers and associates are preparing aisles, adding new signage and bringing out displays for new technologies to help keep customers staying connected, more mobile and enjoying new home entertainment experiences.
As a leading destination for electronics products and savings, Walmart this week takes continued steps forward to enhance its assortment of exciting new products in consumer electronics, while creating an “easy to find,” and fun, shopping experience for all customers.
Details about these new enhancements in Walmart’s Home Entertainment area include:
* New color-coded and branded signage in categories such as gaming, wireless and home office that organize assortment and simplify selection;
* Added assortment in Blu-ray players and movies, including a dedicated hi-definition “sound and sight” area that brings Blu-ray product, and “the experience,” together;
* Expanded assortment in HDTV, with more 1080p and 120HZ product and more sizes;
* An increase of 30% in its wireless product including an expansion and redesign of its Wireless World area, focusing solely on cellular and smart phone products and activation;
* A new display center for laptops allowing customers to touch and experience each unit and compare assortment in brands like HP, Dell, and Toshiba;
* New casing and assortment in portable devices and attachments, from silencing headphones for relaxation to colorful ear buds for the more active user;
* Display areas that showcase new technologies, trends and coming releases in areas like gaming and laptops.
“We know customers really value our ability to bring them the brands they trust, the right level of assortment, and the most affordable prices,” said Gary Severson, senior vice president, Home Entertainment, Walmart. “We want to continue to keep them engaged and inspired, making selection easier, and introducing more technologies that add comfort, fun and quality of life, for themselves and their families.”
Examples of new products and features introduced this week, or coming soon, include:
* $198 Philips Blu-ray Disc Player, in most stores this week;
* Dell’s Studio One 19 All-in-One touch screen desktop, exclusively at Walmart for a limited period, arriving in June;
* Expanded selection in Samsung, Sony, and Vizio, with new 46- and 52-inch models
* Expanded assortment in colorful 11 inch Acer netbooks at $298, in stores this week;
* Sony’s E-Reader portable E-Book (500 stores), extra bass headphones, and noise canceling headphones;
* More colorful and fashionable protectors and attachments for mobile and music items, such as “The Body Glove” to protect touch screen phone ($9.96);
* More cellular phones including the BlackBerry Bold for AT&T, Samsung Instinct s30 for Sprint, expanding distribution of the BlackBerry Storm with Verizon, and very soon introducing the Palm® Pre™ phone with Sprint in select stores.
“We’ve made a number of significant changes in the last three years to raise the bar in our offerings and gain consumer confidence and trust as an electronics destination,” added Severson, “and we have every intention of keeping that pace with continued improvements in service and assortment.”
Bentonville, Ark. (May 19, 2009) – Walmart announced today its plans to add more new products and features to its consumer electronics area across its 3,500 stores. This week, market electronics managers and associates are preparing aisles, adding new signage and bringing out displays for new technologies to help keep customers staying connected, more mobile and enjoying new home entertainment experiences.
As a leading destination for electronics products and savings, Walmart this week takes continued steps forward to enhance its assortment of exciting new products in consumer electronics, while creating an “easy to find,” and fun, shopping experience for all customers.
Details about these new enhancements in Walmart’s Home Entertainment area include:
* New color-coded and branded signage in categories such as gaming, wireless and home office that organize assortment and simplify selection;
* Added assortment in Blu-ray players and movies, including a dedicated hi-definition “sound and sight” area that brings Blu-ray product, and “the experience,” together;
* Expanded assortment in HDTV, with more 1080p and 120HZ product and more sizes;
* An increase of 30% in its wireless product including an expansion and redesign of its Wireless World area, focusing solely on cellular and smart phone products and activation;
* A new display center for laptops allowing customers to touch and experience each unit and compare assortment in brands like HP, Dell, and Toshiba;
* New casing and assortment in portable devices and attachments, from silencing headphones for relaxation to colorful ear buds for the more active user;
* Display areas that showcase new technologies, trends and coming releases in areas like gaming and laptops.
“We know customers really value our ability to bring them the brands they trust, the right level of assortment, and the most affordable prices,” said Gary Severson, senior vice president, Home Entertainment, Walmart. “We want to continue to keep them engaged and inspired, making selection easier, and introducing more technologies that add comfort, fun and quality of life, for themselves and their families.”
Examples of new products and features introduced this week, or coming soon, include:
* $198 Philips Blu-ray Disc Player, in most stores this week;
* Dell’s Studio One 19 All-in-One touch screen desktop, exclusively at Walmart for a limited period, arriving in June;
* Expanded selection in Samsung, Sony, and Vizio, with new 46- and 52-inch models
* Expanded assortment in colorful 11 inch Acer netbooks at $298, in stores this week;
* Sony’s E-Reader portable E-Book (500 stores), extra bass headphones, and noise canceling headphones;
* More colorful and fashionable protectors and attachments for mobile and music items, such as “The Body Glove” to protect touch screen phone ($9.96);
* More cellular phones including the BlackBerry Bold for AT&T, Samsung Instinct s30 for Sprint, expanding distribution of the BlackBerry Storm with Verizon, and very soon introducing the Palm® Pre™ phone with Sprint in select stores.
“We’ve made a number of significant changes in the last three years to raise the bar in our offerings and gain consumer confidence and trust as an electronics destination,” added Severson, “and we have every intention of keeping that pace with continued improvements in service and assortment.”
Monday, May 25, 2009
WALMART MARKET TO BRING ABOUT 90 JOBS TO LARGO
The 42,000-square-foot former Kash n' Karry in southwest Largo has been a sign of the harsh reality of the stark economic times.
But things are looking up for the once-vacant building.
Scheduled to open as a WalMart Neighborhood Market on July 15, the store is seeking potential workers. WalMart is looking to hire at least 90 people to staff the 24-hour, seven-day-a-week grocery store.
A hiring center has been opened nearby at 13819-F Walsingham Road. Applications also can be filled out online. WalMart is hiring full- and part-time workers.
"We are excited to add this WalMart Neighborhood Market to Largo and bring good jobs with career opportunities to the area," said Jimmie Nelson, the store's manager.
Largo Mayor Pat Gerard is also pleased with the presence of the new grocery store.
"In these times, any new thing like that is good," Gerard said. "We are excited that they picked that location and our city."
Located in Barclay Square at Walsingham and Indian Rocks roads, the space was once a Kash n' Karry. When Sweetbay Supermarket purchased the chain, it was closed, said Teresa Brydon, Largo's economic development manager.
"It's going into an existing parcel, and when a business comes and retrofits an existing commercial space, it's very positive," Brydon said.
The first Pinellas County WalMart Neighborhood Market opened in September 2007 on U.S. 19 in Pinellas Park. Another opened in December at N Highland Avenue, just south of Sunset Point Road in Clearwater.
WalMart Neighborhood Markets are generally open 24 hours. The store is a grocery and drugstore with a bakery and deli.
But things are looking up for the once-vacant building.
Scheduled to open as a WalMart Neighborhood Market on July 15, the store is seeking potential workers. WalMart is looking to hire at least 90 people to staff the 24-hour, seven-day-a-week grocery store.
A hiring center has been opened nearby at 13819-F Walsingham Road. Applications also can be filled out online. WalMart is hiring full- and part-time workers.
"We are excited to add this WalMart Neighborhood Market to Largo and bring good jobs with career opportunities to the area," said Jimmie Nelson, the store's manager.
Largo Mayor Pat Gerard is also pleased with the presence of the new grocery store.
"In these times, any new thing like that is good," Gerard said. "We are excited that they picked that location and our city."
Located in Barclay Square at Walsingham and Indian Rocks roads, the space was once a Kash n' Karry. When Sweetbay Supermarket purchased the chain, it was closed, said Teresa Brydon, Largo's economic development manager.
"It's going into an existing parcel, and when a business comes and retrofits an existing commercial space, it's very positive," Brydon said.
The first Pinellas County WalMart Neighborhood Market opened in September 2007 on U.S. 19 in Pinellas Park. Another opened in December at N Highland Avenue, just south of Sunset Point Road in Clearwater.
WalMart Neighborhood Markets are generally open 24 hours. The store is a grocery and drugstore with a bakery and deli.
WalMart Makes Push in Electronics
WalMart Stores(WMT:NYSE) plans to revamp the electronics departments in its U.S. stores this week in a battle with Best Buy(BBY:NYSE) and Amazon.com(AMZN:NYSE) for customers of the closed Circuit City Stores, a report says.
The Wall Street Journal reports the world's biggest retailer will unveil roomier and more interactive electronics displays beginning Monday. The displays will showcase the latest mobile phones and portable computers, and include standalone sections for brands such as Nintendo and Apple(AAPL:NYSE).
"Circuit City's business is up for grabs right now and we expect to get our share," Gary Severson, WalMart's senior vice president of home entertainment, told the Journal.
Circuit City filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November and closed its remaining U.S. stores in March.
The newspaper reports WalMart was expanding its electronics selection before Circuit City collapsed. It has begun carrying more sophisticated products such as Research in Motion's(RIMM:NYSE) Blackberry smart phones and will soon carry Palm's(PALM:NYSE) Pre smart phone despite claims by bloggers the Pre would be a Best Buy retail exclusive, the Journal reports.
WalMart also is adding to the lines of higher-end televisions it carries by offering products from Sony(SNE:NYSE) and Samsung Electronics, and is broadening its array of Blu-ray disc players and movies.
In June, WalMart will start selling Dell's(DELL:NYSE) new Studio One 19 touch-screen computers, the Journal reports.
The Wall Street Journal reports the world's biggest retailer will unveil roomier and more interactive electronics displays beginning Monday. The displays will showcase the latest mobile phones and portable computers, and include standalone sections for brands such as Nintendo and Apple(AAPL:NYSE).
"Circuit City's business is up for grabs right now and we expect to get our share," Gary Severson, WalMart's senior vice president of home entertainment, told the Journal.
Circuit City filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November and closed its remaining U.S. stores in March.
The newspaper reports WalMart was expanding its electronics selection before Circuit City collapsed. It has begun carrying more sophisticated products such as Research in Motion's(RIMM:NYSE) Blackberry smart phones and will soon carry Palm's(PALM:NYSE) Pre smart phone despite claims by bloggers the Pre would be a Best Buy retail exclusive, the Journal reports.
WalMart also is adding to the lines of higher-end televisions it carries by offering products from Sony(SNE:NYSE) and Samsung Electronics, and is broadening its array of Blu-ray disc players and movies.
In June, WalMart will start selling Dell's(DELL:NYSE) new Studio One 19 touch-screen computers, the Journal reports.
Helping neighbors in need
The Salvation Army and McKenna House would like to thank Sam's Club in Concord for helping us to "Stuff the Truck" with food donations on May 7. We were allowed to ask the public to buy and then donate needed items to our food pantry and homeless shelter.
Times are tough for everyone right now, and we have seen an increase in the number of people who use our services. This, in turn, depletes our stock very quickly. We could not help our neighbors without the help of the staff at Sam's or without their wonderful customers, who stepped up and bought the items on our list and then gave them to us.
Also, thank you to those who gave money. It will go to buy food for the pantry.
Times are tough for everyone right now, and we have seen an increase in the number of people who use our services. This, in turn, depletes our stock very quickly. We could not help our neighbors without the help of the staff at Sam's or without their wonderful customers, who stepped up and bought the items on our list and then gave them to us.
Also, thank you to those who gave money. It will go to buy food for the pantry.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Trade official reports Wal-Mart supercenters contribute tax revenue
CHICO A former state commerce official said Tuesday that communities that have seen WalMarts expand into supercenters have benefited by increases in tax revenue.
Lon Hatamiya, who served as the state's Technology Trade and Commerce Department top official from 1999 to 2003, came to that conclusion after studying California-gathered retail sales tax data. Hatamiya indicated the higher retail sales tax revenue was linked to additional shoppers coming to a community or increases in sales at other businesses.
Hatamiya, of Davis, is a director of Navigant Consulting, a certified public accounting firm that advises government and businesses. He studied sales tax revenue from businesses in direct competition with WalMart, such as apparel and drugstores, and those that weren't, such as gas stations, auto dealers and restaurants. For all 21 communities with supercenters, citywide taxable retail sales increased the year after the opening by an average of 15 percent, he said.
His study, done on communities with supercenters opened between 2003 and 2007, also indicated the opening of a supercenter did not wipe out smaller businesses. By studying the number of retail business permits issued, he found business operations increased during the first year everywhere except Palm Desert, Palm Springs and Gilroy. "What's important is this rebuts the common belief that others go out of business. It's the opposite. It attracts business."
The data did not allow him to determine which specific businesses survived and which didn't, only a total number of permits.
In Northern California, business permits increased with opening of Supercenters in Anderson, Marysville and Yuba City, he said. He said in Anderson, the first year after a supercenter opened retail sales tax revenue increased $51.2 million, which was a 37 percent jump. In Yuba City, the sales tax revenue increase was $35 million. Retail sales tax revenue also increased in subsequent years to openings, but not in every community, the study showed. Talking to members of the Chico Chamber of Commerce and Chico Economic Planning Corp., Hatamiya said WalMart paid him to do the study, but said the retail giant did not demand a certain conclusion.
CEPCO paid for Hatamiya's visit, and also released a study in 1999 about taxable sales and Wal-Marts that indicated communities benefited. Saying they were protecting their small businesses, some communities have adopted new policies preventing WalMart from opening supercenters, which generally have a grocery store and wider selection. A proposed expansion of the Chico store has been controversial. "It was an eye-opener to see the benefits brought to a community," Hatamiya said. "Any opportunity to generate increased sales tax benefits you in increased services," he told the group.
Besides new jobs and revenue, WalMart is one of the few retailers growing during tough times, he noted.
Lon Hatamiya, who served as the state's Technology Trade and Commerce Department top official from 1999 to 2003, came to that conclusion after studying California-gathered retail sales tax data. Hatamiya indicated the higher retail sales tax revenue was linked to additional shoppers coming to a community or increases in sales at other businesses.
Hatamiya, of Davis, is a director of Navigant Consulting, a certified public accounting firm that advises government and businesses. He studied sales tax revenue from businesses in direct competition with WalMart, such as apparel and drugstores, and those that weren't, such as gas stations, auto dealers and restaurants. For all 21 communities with supercenters, citywide taxable retail sales increased the year after the opening by an average of 15 percent, he said.
His study, done on communities with supercenters opened between 2003 and 2007, also indicated the opening of a supercenter did not wipe out smaller businesses. By studying the number of retail business permits issued, he found business operations increased during the first year everywhere except Palm Desert, Palm Springs and Gilroy. "What's important is this rebuts the common belief that others go out of business. It's the opposite. It attracts business."
The data did not allow him to determine which specific businesses survived and which didn't, only a total number of permits.
In Northern California, business permits increased with opening of Supercenters in Anderson, Marysville and Yuba City, he said. He said in Anderson, the first year after a supercenter opened retail sales tax revenue increased $51.2 million, which was a 37 percent jump. In Yuba City, the sales tax revenue increase was $35 million. Retail sales tax revenue also increased in subsequent years to openings, but not in every community, the study showed. Talking to members of the Chico Chamber of Commerce and Chico Economic Planning Corp., Hatamiya said WalMart paid him to do the study, but said the retail giant did not demand a certain conclusion.
CEPCO paid for Hatamiya's visit, and also released a study in 1999 about taxable sales and Wal-Marts that indicated communities benefited. Saying they were protecting their small businesses, some communities have adopted new policies preventing WalMart from opening supercenters, which generally have a grocery store and wider selection. A proposed expansion of the Chico store has been controversial. "It was an eye-opener to see the benefits brought to a community," Hatamiya said. "Any opportunity to generate increased sales tax benefits you in increased services," he told the group.
Besides new jobs and revenue, WalMart is one of the few retailers growing during tough times, he noted.
Sam's Club® and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Join Forces to Fight For Small Businesses
Organizations Aim to Extend Reach and Support to Millions of Small Business Members
BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 12 , 2009— Sam’s Club, the nation’s leading small business membership warehouse club and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced today at America’s Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C. details of joint member benefits program that will broaden both organizations ability to be advocates for small business, lower their costs and help them succeed.
“The face of small business is evolving as is the role of large corporations and government to bring about health care reform, tax, energy and other policy solutions, “said Brian Cornell, Sam’s Club President and CEO in his remarks during the U.S. Chamber Blue Ribbon Small Business Awards Luncheon honoring the nation’s top small business owners. “We understand the challenges small business owners face in today’s environment. We want to remove the barriers to their success by investing in and working with organizations like the U.S. Chamber, which have a proven track record of demonstrating thought leadership as well as change.”
As part of the two year agreement, Sam’s Club will help to sponsor more than a dozen small business events with local chamber offices to make resources and best practices available to small business owners and operators to ensure their success and growth. Sam’s Club will launch a cost savings toolkit on the Chamber website to help small businesses better manage and boost their bottom-line and sponsor the U.S. Chamber Small Business of the Year Award. More than half of this year’s winners are Sam’s Club Business Members. In addition, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has appointed Catherine Corley, vice president, small business insights and marketing at Sam’s Club to the U.S. Chamber Council of Small of Business.
This partnership is going to be a big help to our small business members,” said Giovanni Coratolo, Chamber vice president for small business policy. “At a time when every dollar counts, we are thrilled to have another way to help small businesses cut costs and improve their bottom lines.”
One of the most tangible and immediate benefits of the agreement calls for U.S. Chamber of Commerce members to receive a $10 gift card and complimentary cost comparison by Sam’s Club. Chamber members who join or renew their business membership at Sam’s Club will receive the $10 gift card toward a purchase in club or online.
Sam’s Club estimates more than 600,000 small business owners or their employees walk through its doors everyday. In addition to products, Sam’s Club also offers small business members access to affordable health insurance and other services such, as merchant credit card processing solutions and time-saving solutions including online ordering through Click n’ Pull.
BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 12 , 2009— Sam’s Club, the nation’s leading small business membership warehouse club and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced today at America’s Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C. details of joint member benefits program that will broaden both organizations ability to be advocates for small business, lower their costs and help them succeed.
“The face of small business is evolving as is the role of large corporations and government to bring about health care reform, tax, energy and other policy solutions, “said Brian Cornell, Sam’s Club President and CEO in his remarks during the U.S. Chamber Blue Ribbon Small Business Awards Luncheon honoring the nation’s top small business owners. “We understand the challenges small business owners face in today’s environment. We want to remove the barriers to their success by investing in and working with organizations like the U.S. Chamber, which have a proven track record of demonstrating thought leadership as well as change.”
As part of the two year agreement, Sam’s Club will help to sponsor more than a dozen small business events with local chamber offices to make resources and best practices available to small business owners and operators to ensure their success and growth. Sam’s Club will launch a cost savings toolkit on the Chamber website to help small businesses better manage and boost their bottom-line and sponsor the U.S. Chamber Small Business of the Year Award. More than half of this year’s winners are Sam’s Club Business Members. In addition, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has appointed Catherine Corley, vice president, small business insights and marketing at Sam’s Club to the U.S. Chamber Council of Small of Business.
This partnership is going to be a big help to our small business members,” said Giovanni Coratolo, Chamber vice president for small business policy. “At a time when every dollar counts, we are thrilled to have another way to help small businesses cut costs and improve their bottom lines.”
One of the most tangible and immediate benefits of the agreement calls for U.S. Chamber of Commerce members to receive a $10 gift card and complimentary cost comparison by Sam’s Club. Chamber members who join or renew their business membership at Sam’s Club will receive the $10 gift card toward a purchase in club or online.
Sam’s Club estimates more than 600,000 small business owners or their employees walk through its doors everyday. In addition to products, Sam’s Club also offers small business members access to affordable health insurance and other services such, as merchant credit card processing solutions and time-saving solutions including online ordering through Click n’ Pull.
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