Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Walmart to Offer Special Layaway Option this Christmas

To help families deliver a big Christmas this year, Walmart announced today that it will offer a Christmas layaway program for two of the season’s most popular gift categories, electronics and toys. Available at all stores nationwide, the program will kick off on Oct. 17 and run through Dec. 16, with plenty of time for the gifts to take their rightful place under the Christmas tree.

Walmart announced the news to its nearly 9 million Facebook fans, many whom have expressed their desire for Walmart’s layaway service. Customers have indicated that they are most interested in layaway for toys and electronics, and that during the holidays is when they need layaway the most.

“We’re always looking for ways to ease budget strain for our customers, and we know this holiday season in particular brings with it additional financial pressure,” said Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising officer, Walmart. “Our layaway program for Christmas, along with our every day low prices and great variety of gifts, will provide a worry-free way for our customers to fulfill their families’ Christmas wish lists.”

Walmart’s Christmas layaway program will enable customers to make payments when they want and for how much they want on the hottest Christmas gifts. Toy and electronic gifts with a retail price of $15 or more will be eligible*, including dozens of toys on Rollback to $15 starting Sept. 12, such as Leapfrog Scribble and Write, Disney Princess Toddler Dolls, Transformers 3 Mechtech and select Lego playsets. Other great gifts at an every day low price included in the Christmas layaway program are bicycles, HDTVs, and video games.

“Our customers told us they want a hassle-free layaway option during the holiday season,” said Mac Naughton. “With our Christmas layaway program, they can focus on what’s important to them during the Christmas season instead of stressing over mandated payments or how to tuck money away for gifts.”

Layaway payments can be made at any register. Putting an item on layaway and picking up layaway orders is done at the Walmart.com counter in the majority of stores. Pick up hours are 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. local time. Layaway orders and pick up will not be accepted on the day after Thanksgiving.

New Walmart Neighborhood Market Opens in Midwest City

A new Walmart Neighborhood Market will open in Midwest City Sept. 21, with a 40,000 square-foot store designed to offer quick access to low-cost groceries, prescriptions and household products. Doors to the new store will open at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21, following a 7:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Fresh Foods and Familiar Brands

Designed as a convenient family shopping center, the Walmart Neighborhood Market will provide the local community another destination for groceries at the Walmart value price. The store will carry a full line of groceries, including fresh produce, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, and organic items. For those on the go, the deli offers hot rotisserie chicken and freshly prepared foods. Customers can pick up cakes and freshly-made bread in the bakery. This store is also adding a gluten-free section.

“With our smaller format, our store is perfect for those on the go. Whether they’re stocking up or need to pick up just a few items, our customers will be able to find what they need quickly and easily,” said store manager Paul Engelken. “Our customers will be able to find familiar brands and local products at great values, right in their own neighborhood.”

Shoppers will also appreciate the convenience of the store’s pharmacy with a drive-up lane, along with a full selection of health-related products and a health and beauty area. Additional areas include stationery, paper goods, pet products and hardware items. Customers can also print their own digital photos at the store. The store will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Store Provides 85 Local Jobs

The Walmart Neighborhood Market plans to employ approximately 85 associates. “Walmart provides job opportunities and career choices for everyone from seniors looking for supplemental income to young people wanting to gain work experience,” Engelken said. Like most Walmart store managers, he started his career with Walmart as an hourly associate. He joined the company in 2000 as a meat cutter at a store in Edmond.

Community Organizations Benefit from Grants

As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $14,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be presented throughout the year.

Ribbon-Cutting Celebration, 7:30 a.m., Sept. 21

Executive Director of Chamber of Commerce Bonnie Cheatwood, along with other community and business leaders, will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21, for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony.