Vineland Supercenter brings 700 hometown jobs, tax revenue and community support
VINELAND, NJ, Jan. 16, 2009 – A Walmart Supercenter opens Wednesday in Vineland, bringing economic benefits that will ripple across the region. Approximately 700 new jobs and an increase in sales tax revenues are expected to boost the area’s economy. Walmart’s unbeatable prices and convenient one-stop shopping will save Cumberland County residents time and money. Nonprofit organizations will also benefit from the retailer’s ongoing charitable contributions and support for community projects. The Supercenter will open to customers following a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Located at 1070 W. Landis Ave., the store is a participating member of the State Urban Enterprise Zone, which allows retailers to charge 3.5 percent sales tax on qualifying merchandise, instead of 7percent. The sales tax revenue generated will go to the city of Vineland, which can use the funding to improve infrastructure, hire police and fireman, purchase emergency equipment and support other projects. Local leaders are excited about the new Supe rcenter and hope Walmart’s presence will attract other businesses to Vineland.
Mayor Robert Romano said, “I expect an economic explosion on the corridor from Route 55 to Delcea Drive/Route 47. As the biggest retail store in the area, this new Supercenter will soon be the hub of West Landis Avenue.”
Super center Brings 700 Jobs to Vineland
The Super center plans to employ approximately 700 associates. Most of the positions will be full time, according to Store Manager Mark Conley.
“Working for Walmart provides a number of job opportunities and choices for so many people, from seniors looking for supplemental income to young people just starting their work experience,” said Conley. Eight of the Vineland store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years.
Mayor Romano said, “I’m excited about the 700 jobs Walmart brings to our community. The number of applications shows that people want to work and we’re happy Walmart is here to provide them with good jobs.”
The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in New Jersey is approximately $11.62 per hour*
Walmart benefits – available to eligible full- and part-time associates – include health insurance with no lifetime maximum. Walmart also offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing contributions, whether an associate contributes or not, store discount cards, company performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance
Community Organizations Benefit from Grand Opening Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, $40,500 in grants from the WalMart Foundation will be presented during the grand-opening celebration. Thanks to the support of other area Walmart stores, the Vineland Police Department will receive a special $10,000 grant and the North Vineland Little League will receive a special $7,500 grant.
Associates at the Vineland Supercenter selected Spirit and Truth Ministries to receive a $5,000 grant to support its meal program and other hunger relief efforts. Other recipients include the South Jersey Youth Alliance, Boys and Girls Club, Vineland High School and the city of Vineland Fire Department. (A list of recipients is on Page 3.)
“As the newest neighbor in the community, we realize financial support to local organizations helps make a real difference,” said Conley. “We are thrilled to provide these grants as part of our grand-opening celebration. I can assure you we will continue to play a leadership role in supporting the needs of Vineland, Cumberland County and neighboring communities.”
One-Stop Shopping Close to Home
The 203,000-square-foot Super center is designed as a convenient one-stop family shopping center, featuring a full line of groceries as well as a bakery, a delicatessen, a frozen food section and meat, dairy and fresh produce sections. Merchandise areas include apparel and accessories, sporting goods, electronics, home, fine jewelry and health and beauty.
“At Walmart, we're committed to saving people money so they can live better,” Conley said. “In today's economy, our customers are looking to us to be an advocate and find solutions that save them money on their groceries and other products that their families need.”
The pharmacy and health-related merchandise is conveniently located near the store’s entrance. Customers needing to fill prescriptions will also benefit from Walmart’s $4 prescription program, which includes medications for most commonly treated medical conditions. Other time-saving services include a digital photo-processing center and Wal-Mart Connect Center. Leased areas and services include a Subway restaurant, Smart Style Family Hair Care salon and a Regal Nails salon. The store will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Store Design Blends with Neighborhood, Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features
Walmart worked with community leaders to ensure the look of the store complemented local architecture. The front facade resembles historic storefronts that line Vineland’s downtown, and black lamp posts highlight the entrance to the store and the landscaped area fronting West Landis Avenue.
The Vineland Supercenter, 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 throughout the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting.
Part of 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 motion-sensitive faucets reduce the water used in the bathrooms.
Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 7 a.m., Jan. 21
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Walmart associate John Fordham will offer an invocation and Michelle Taylor-Burton will perform the national anthem. Mayor Romano and other community leaders will join Conley to cut the ribbon to the new store. Throughout the day, customers will be able to enjoy character appearances, product samples and giveaways.
About Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart proudly supports the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods and last year gave more than $296 million to communities in the United States.
Store facts
* Location: 1070 W. Landis Ave., Vineland, N.J.
* 203,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter
* Store opens immediately following a 7 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Jan. 21
* Store manager: Mark Conley
Store features
* Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce
* More than 30 merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, a lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, and a full line of electronics
* Convenience services include a pharmacy, digital photo processing center and Walmart Connect Center
* Leased areas and services include a Subway restaurant, SmartStyle family Hair Care salon, Regal Nails salon.
* Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Charitable giving
$40,500 in charitable contributions to eleven area organizations
* Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cumberland County
* Boys and Girls Club of Vineland
* Casa PRAC
* City of Vineland Fire Department
* City of Vineland Police Department
* North Vineland Little League
* Soup Kitchen of Vineland Auxiliary
* South Jersey Youth Alliance
* Spirit and Truth Ministries meal program
* Vineland High School
* YMCA of Cumberland County
Employment
* Store plans to employ approximately 700 associates
* Eight of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years
* The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in New Jersey is approximately $11.62 per hour*
* Walmart benefits – available to eligible full- and part-time associates – include health insurance with no lifetime maximum. Walmart also offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing contributions, whether an associate contributes or not, store discount cards, company performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance
Wal-Mart in New Jersey
As of December, Wal-Mart employed 16,783 associates and owned and operated the following facilities in New Jersey:
* Supercenters: 2
* Discount Stores: 47
* Sam’s Clubs: 10
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