Walmart fear of Amazon.com

         This holiday season, same-day shipping has replaced free shipping as the new must-have promotion. It’s logistically complicated and money-losing — and may not even be a service that consumers want or need, analysts say.

     But retailers from Walmart to small shops like Shoptiques are willing to take the risk. Even the Postal Service has introduced a same-day option for retailers. And the reason is simple: fear of Amazon.com.

Christmas came early for one local family

In Altoona, Iowa, Christmas came early for one local family.

     Ruby Modlin was at a local Walmart with her family shopping for some holiday groceries when an anonymous man picked up their $211 bill, KCCI 8 Des Moines reports. Modlin had noticed the man following them around the store, but wasn't sure of his intentions until he stepped in to swipe his card at the checkout. The "secret Santa" handed her the receipt and wished her a Merry Christmas before leaving with his own family.

    The holiday gift was particularly special for Modlin, who has been in and out of the hospital in recent months due to liver failure, according to KCCI 8. When it comes to charitable giving, nothing trumps the holiday season. At a Walmart store in Hastings, Mich. last week, an anonymous donor wrote a $10,000 check to pay off 43 customers' layaway accounts.

    One woman fainted when she was told her bill was paid for. In Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., another "secret Santa" similarly requested to donate $10,000 to pay for strangers' layaway accounts at Toys R Us.

Walmart prices do tend to vary slightly by region.

Please note: 
Walmart prices do tend to vary slightly by region.

Make sure you print out a copy of the Walmart coupon policy to bring with you, especially for coupons that product overage.

Here are some of my favorite Walmart deals:
Oral-B Floss, $0.97 $1/1 
Oral-B Floss, exp. 12/31/12 (P&G 11/25/12 R) 
Total after Coupon: FREE

Colgate Manual Toothbrush, $0.94 $0.50/1 
Colgate Manual Toothbrush @Walmart printable 
Total after Coupon: $0.44 ea.

Idahoan Flavored Mashed Potatoes, $0.87 $0.55/3 Idahoan Flavored Mashed Potatoes printable 
Total after Coupon: $0.68 ea. 

 Halls Cough Drops, $1.18 $1/2 
Halls Cough Drops printable $0.50/2 
Halls Bags printable $1/2 Halls 
Single Bag, exp. 12/31/12 (SS 11/04/12) 
Total after Coupon: As low as $0.68 ea. 

Del Monte Green Beans, $0.84 $0.50/4 
Del Monte Green Beans printable 
Total after Coupon: $0.71 ea. 

Wal-Mart to oversee warehouses

  Following protests and legal issues from worker-treatment complaints at its subcontractors' warehouses, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is planning to oversee working conditions the same way it does overseas.

  Warehouses for shipping and sorting goods are oftentimes operated by subcontractors who directly employ workers, the Wall Street Journal reports. During busy seasons with additional stock and online orders, thousands of temporary workers are added.

   Withheld wages and poor working conditions were the main problems relating to warehouses where protests popped up in states including California and Illinois. Though Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) said it is the responsibility of subcontractors to follow safety and labor laws, it is crafting a system similar to the one used to oversee factories abroad to monitor its domestic branch.

Accused Walmart shoplifter chased along interstate

     Authorities say a 28-year-old Macon woman accused of stealing four televisions from a Walmart store was arrested after a chase along Interstate 75.

 Tabitha Michelle Whitehead is charged with theft by shoplifting, eluding police, reckless driving, failure to obey a traffic control device, failure to maintain lane and driving without a license.

Police responded to the department store for a call about a shoplifter around 2:40 a.m. and tried stopping the woman, who authorities say led them on a chase.

 Officials say Whitehead eventually blew a tire and was taken into custody by Monroe County deputies. Bibb County records show Whitehead is free after posting $6,283 bond. It was unclear Thursday afternoon if Whitehead had a lawyer.

Walmart Gives $70,000 to 14 Nonprofits Providing Warm Clothing on the 12th Day of “12 Days of Giving” Holiday Campaign

     Walmart awards grants to organizations from Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington

     Over twelve consecutive days, Walmart has awarded a total of $1.5 million to 140 organizations across the country that are providing basic needs and services such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. Organizations receiving grants today are featured on Walmart’s Live Better tab on Facebook. The organizations serve communities in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. 

      Walmart’s November call for submissions resulted in more than 21,677 nominations from Facebook users who submitted descriptions of each nonprofit’s impact in its local community. Submissions were initially reviewed by Walmart associates from across the company and then a panel from the Walmart Foundation selected the winning organizations.

Walmart Names Karen Roberts Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Dec. 20, 2012
     Walmart stores announced the promotion of 17-year company veteran Karen Roberts, 42, to executive vice president and general counsel for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., reporting to Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary Jeff Gearhart, 48. The appointment is effective Feb. 1, 2013.

     In her new role, Roberts will manage the legal department, which is responsible for handling all legal matters affecting the company in its domestic and international markets. Gearhart will maintain oversight for the legal function in addition to his newly expanded responsibilities for Walmart’s compliance, ethics and investigations teams as part of the company’s steps to align the functions and further strengthen its global compliance efforts.
 

Walmart Announces New Store in Springdale

Elm Springs Road store brings approximately 300 additional jobs 

     Walmart today announced plans for a new store at Elm Springs Road and North 48th Street, creating a new option for residents seeking a job or wanting more affordable shopping options close to where they live or work. The Elm Springs Road Walmart will create approximately 300 local jobs and is expected to open in the fall of 2014.

     “Walmart is excited for the opportunity to continue to serve the people of Springdale and Northwest Arkansas,” Walmart Vice President of Real Estate Brian Hooper said. “We are thankful for the vision of Mayor Doug Sprouse of the City of Springdale, and especially the Hall family, who had the foresight to hold this property for development, to bring the people of Northwest Arkansas another opportunity to save money so they can live better.”

     “We are excited to see Walmart as well as additional developments find a new home in northwest Springdale,” said Sprouse. “This new development will continue to improve the quality of life for our citizens and broaden our tax base.”
      Like most new Walmart stores, the Elm Springs Road Walmart will include energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store will have a day lighting monitoring system in the grocery area. This system automatically and continuously dims all the lights as the daylight contribution increases.

Offers 10 free movies for all new VUDU users

       Calif., Dec. 19, 2012 – VUDU, the leading subscription-free, video-on-demand movie service, today announced its new app for Android, giving customers additional access to their favorite movie and TV entertainment on the go.  The VUDU app enables fans to stream or download more than 100,000 movies and TV shows on select tablet running the Android 4.0 operating system or above, with many more tablet models and smart phones to follow soon. The free app is now available for download in the Google Play store.  

      “The popularity of VUDU combined with Android, the world’s most popular mobile operating system, provides customers with even more convenience and access to new releases, Hollywood favorites and shows,” said Prasanna Ganesan, general manager, VUDU.  “Since pioneering movie-on-demand, our mission at VUDU has been to give fans instant access to the greatest selection of movies and TV shows available, on as many devices as possible and with the highest streaming quality.”

Studies show Android is the world’s leading mobile operating system** and is available on a broad selection of devices. Its growth in popularity mirrors the rise of mobile media consumption, which now surpasses TV or PC media consumption via TV.

Walmart Gives $187,500 to 15 Nonprofits Providing Shelter on the Ninth Day of “12 Days of Giving” Holiday Campaign

     On the ninth day of its “12 Days of Giving” holiday campaign,  Walmart is awarding $187,500 to 15 nonprofits that provide shelter and support to men, women and children in need. One of the winning organizations, Families by Choice, serves its community with transitional shelters and a new program that provides lifetime living for mentally handicapped adults who have been abused or abandoned by their family and are not eligible for state programs.

      Over twelve consecutive days, Walmart will award a total of $1.5 million to 140 organizations across the country that are providing basic needs and services such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. Organizations receiving grants today are featured on Walmart’s Live Better tab on Facebook. The organizations serve communities in: Alaska, California, Delaware, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and West Virginia.

      “For some, ‘home for holidays’ just isn’t possible. In fact, more than 600,000 people across the U.S. are currently homeless,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart Foundation. “Walmart supports the essential work of local nonprofit organizations that provide shelter to men, women and children in need. We hope these grants will help give more people a safe, warm place to rest.”
Walmart’s November call for submissions resulted in more than 21,677 nominations from Facebook users who submitted descriptions of each nonprofit’s impact in its local community. Submissions were initially reviewed by Walmart associates from across the company and then a panel from the Walmart Foundation selected the winning organizations.

Walmart Statement in Response to December 17 New York Times Article About Allegations of Corruption in Mexico

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Dec. 17, 2012

      “The allegations contained in the New York Times article surrounding events in 2003-2004 involving the permitting and licensing process for a Walmart de Mexico store in Teotihuacan, Mexico, have been part of the company’s ongoing investigation of potential violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act we began more than a year ago.

       “The Audit Committee of the board, comprised entirely of independent directors, is overseeing the investigation. “We are also continuing to cooperate with the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission on this matter.

“At this point, the investigation is still ongoing and we have not yet reached final conclusions. A thorough and independent investigation will take time to complete. We wish we could say more but we will not jeopardize the integrity of the investigation.
“We are committed to having a strong and effective global anti-corruption program everywhere we operate and taking appropriate action for any instance of non-compliance.
“While the investigation is ongoing, we have not waited to act. Over the past 20 months, we have made significant improvements to our compliance programs around the world and have taken a number of specific, concrete actions with respect to our processes, procedures and people.
“Over the past several months we have:

• Established several new compliance positions around the world;
• Directed more than 300 third-party legal and accounting experts who have dedicated in excess of 79,000 hours to this effort;
• Conducted more than 85 in-country visits and more than 1,000 interviews of market personnel;
• Spent more than $35 million on new processes and procedures; and
• Conducted training sessions attended by more than 19,000 associates.

“We recognize that our effort to date is a work in progress and there is more to be done as we continue building a world-class FCPA compliance program.”

Getting to the Heart of Christmas

    In the small town of Possum Trot, Texas, one selfless bishop and his wife are changing the lives of more than 75 foster children.

    This holiday season, Walmart and the TODAY Show surprised the community of Possum Trot with an abundance of food, clothes and other necessities for the individual families in the community as well as for the community's Youth Center. A Christmas gift was also given to each of the foster children, and Bishop W.C. Martin was surprised with $15,000 worth of Walmart gift cards to help him throughout the year.

Walmart Says Green Monday Is Busiest Online Shopping Day in December and Hosts Special “One-Day Only” Event Online

Big savings up to 60 percent on popular gifts, plus an incredible low price on a secret top brand 55” LED HDTV (up to $600 savings) revealed Monday 

      Walmart  had its best day in history on Cyber Monday this year thanks to its customers. And, with only two weeks left before Christmas, it is rewarding customers with a big “one-day only” online event on Monday, Dec. 10, including up to 60 percent savings on top toys, electronics and more.* Green Monday, which is the second Monday in December, is becoming another major trend in strong online shopping performance. In fact, this day last year was Walmart.com’s highest traffic day in December. And, according to comScore, the second Monday in December last year represented a 19 percent increase in online spending and was the third highest online shopping day of the season.

     “We know our customers are relentlessly looking online for the best savings this holiday and our goal is to give them low prices on the gifts they want most,” said Joel Anderson, President & CEO, Walmart.com U.S. “Given this highly competitive season, we are living up to our commitment with even more big savings online before Christmas that keeps more money in their pockets this year."

Walmart Gives $120,000 to 14 Nonprofits Supporting Children on the Fifth Day of “12 Days of Giving” Holiday Campaign

On the fifth day of its “12 Days of Giving” holiday campaign, Walmart is awarding $120,000 to 14 nonprofits that are creating a better future for children across the country. One of the winning organizations, Para Los Niños, serves its community by providing high-quality education integrated with family support, mental health services and community engagement opportunities to thousands of children living in at-risk neighborhoods in Los Angeles County.

Over twelve consecutive days, Walmart will award a total of $1.5 million to 140 organizations across the country that are providing basic needs and services such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. Organizations receiving grants today are featured on Walmart’s Live Better tab on Facebook. The organizations serve communities in: Vermont, California, Texas, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
“Building a better tomorrow starts with our children, yet 22 percent of kids in the U.S. live in poverty,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart Foundation. “Through education, nourishment, mentorship, clothing and shelter, the organizations honored today are helping children community by community achieve a brighter future. We’re honored to help support their mission with grants this holiday season.”
Walmart’s November call for submissions resulted in more than 21,677 nominations from Facebook users who submitted descriptions of each nonprofit’s impact in its local community. Submissions were initially reviewed by Walmart associates from across the company and then a panel from the Walmart Foundation selected the winning organizations.

Walmart Gives $100,000 to 10 Nonprofits Supporting Seniors on the Second Day of “12 Days of Giving” Holiday Campaign

Walmart awards grants to organizations from Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Wisconsin, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Connecticut and Missouri

 BENTONVILLE, Ark., Dec. 11, 2012 – On the second day of its “12 Days of Giving” holiday campaign, Walmart is awarding $100,000 to 10 nonprofits that are helping senior citizens in their local communities. One of the winning organizations, Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, serves its community by providing free services in the Las Vegas Valley to assist senior citizens with transportation and food as well as vouchers for short-term, temporary care to relieve family members who are caring for seniors in their homes.
Over twelve consecutive days, Walmart will award a total of $1.5 million to 140 organizations across the country that are providing basic needs and services such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. Organizations receiving grants today are featured on Walmart’s Live Better tab on Facebook. The organizations serve communities in: Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Wisconsin, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Connecticut and Missouri.
“More than 3.6 million adults age 65 and older live below the poverty line,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart Foundation. “Through these grants, we want to support local organizations who are helping seniors live more fulfilled and stable lives and also say ‘thank you’ for all the wisdom and experience they’ve contributed.”
Walmart’s November call for submissions resulted in more than 21,677 nominations from Facebook users who submitted descriptions of each nonprofit’s impact in its local community. Submissions were initially reviewed by Walmart associates from across the company and then a panel from the Walmart Foundation selected the winning organizations.

Walmart Foundation Grants $150,000 to Wreaths Across America

       Wreaths Across America™ (WAA) announced a $150,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to help fund the placement of more than 355,000 remembrance wreaths across the country — including 105,000 at Arlington National Cemetery — on Saturday, Dec. 15. WAA is a nonprofit organization, whose mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach, is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies on National Wreaths Across America Day each December. This is the fifth consecutive year that Walmart has supported Wreaths Across America.
       “Walmart has been an invaluable partner over the last several years, and this year’s donation will help us honor so many more veterans who fought to protect our freedoms,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “Every Walmart employee involved — from the drivers delivering wreaths, to individuals volunteering their time to lay wreaths across the country — have given so much of their time and energy to support our mission. We are incredibly grateful.”
Walmart also donates transportation services through its network of distribution centers across the country. Nearly 100 professional drivers will transport wreaths from Harrington, Maine, to their final destinations at more than 800 locations throughout the United States.
     “The men and women of our nation’s military are among the most spirited and talented of Americans, who not only serve to protect our freedoms abroad, but make great contributions to our workforce and way of life here at home,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart Foundation. “This year we are honored to help Wreaths Across America reach the great milestone of laying the one-millionth remembrance wreath to honor our nation’s heroes and their families, and to remember the sacrifices they’ve made.”
Wreath sponsorships and volunteers for Arlington are still needed.

Big savings up to 60 percent on popular gifts, plus an incredible low price on a secret top brand 55” LED HDTV (up to $600 savings) revealed Monday

     Walmart had its best day in history on Cyber Monday this year thanks to its customers. And, with only two weeks left before Christmas, it is rewarding customers with a big “one-day only” online event on Monday, Dec. 10, including up to 60 percent savings on top toys, electronics and more.*  

     Green Monday, which is the second Monday in December, is becoming another major trend in strong online shopping performance. In fact, this day last year was Walmart.com’s highest traffic day in December.  And, according to comScore, the second Monday in December last year represented a 19 percent increase in online spending and was the third highest online shopping day of the season.

“We know our customers are relentlessly looking online for the best savings this holiday and our goal is to give them low prices on the gifts they want most,” said Joel Anderson, President & CEO, Walmart.com U.S. “Given this highly competitive season, we are living up to our commitment with even more big savings online before Christmas that keeps more money in their pockets this year."

     Secret Top-Brand 55”LED HDTV Revealed Monday – Nearly $600 SavingsOn Monday only, Walmart.com will unveil an incredible low price on a specific top-brand 55” LED HDTV (while supplies last), which represents nearly $600 savings on comparable TVs. This secret TV and price will be revealed on the site early Monday, and will also be available for free shipping to home.

    “One-Day Only” Online Specials – Monday, Dec. 10This one-day only event includes up to 60 percent savings online on top items

Walmart Economic and Customer Insights Report - Q3 2012

      Increased Shopper Optimism Imminent, But Not All Elements Aligned: Since Q2, portions of shopper confidence have been building, with economic and personal finance expectations on the rise.

    Additionally, among job seekers, optimism is growing, moving in concert with favorable employment reports. Back-To-School shopping was a bright spot, with consumers bucking recent years’ trends and spending more this year. Despite this, the economy remains the key concern. Gas prices came down but were still higher than what consumers expected; they are reluctant to trust that sustained lower prices are forthcoming. Although we haven’t seen pricing effect from the Midwestern drought as of yet, media attention caused increased apprehension about food prices among shoppers.

     Sluggishness in disposable income remains a key barrier to confidence growth, and there are indications that some consumers are patching income gaps with credit card purchases. Because of this, consumers’ mindset for Holiday spending is both hopeful and guarded.

Massmart Identified in Top 10 Best Performing Companies in JSE’s 2012 Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index

       Dec. 4, 2012 -- Massmart has once again been recognised as one of the top 10 best performers in the medium environmental impact category of the JSE’s 2012 Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index, the results of which were announced on Wednesday (28 November 2012). The SRI Index comprises of listed companies which meet criteria related to their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies, management practices and reporting.

      The intention of the index is two-fold: to encourage companies to operate responsibly and transparently and to prompt institutions to consider ESG factors when evaluating investments. The SRI Index is a key benchmark for broad-based environmental, social and governance practice amongst listed companies.

      This year Massmart met all 39 core indicators and 42 out of 49 desirable indicators in social performance. For governance and related sustainability concerns, 32 out of 32 for core indicators and 32 out of 33 for desirable indicators were met. All environmental performance indicators were met. Massmart has been a constituent of the SRI index since its inception in 2004. Last year saw Massmart achieve full marks in the governance and related sustainability concerns dimension, meeting all 32 core indicators as well as all 33 desirable indicators. It also met 92 out of 98 criteria on the social dimension making it one of the best performers in the medium environmental impact category of the JSE’s 2011 SRI Index. Massmart achieved best performer status in the SRI in 2007 and 2008. The criteria covered in the index provide a comprehensive framework for monitoring corporate responsibility. In this sense the Massmart Social & Ethics committee reference the draft and final results as a key part of their efforts to track responsible practise at Massmart.

      The SRI Index has evolved considerably since its inception in 2004. This year, the total number of constituents stands at 76 out of an assessed universe of over 100 companies. The incremental success of participants, especially in the face of increasingly demanding criteria, demonstrates deepened commitment to principles of sustainability and corporate South Africa’s increased comfort with the assessment criteria.

Salvation Army programs

This year, the Walmart Foundation also made a $1 million donation to The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. The donation will be split among the four Salvation Army Territories and support feeding programs, including meal programs for youths. Last year, The Salvation Army served nearly 58 million meals to children and adults in need.

Notably, 81 percent of Salvation Army programs saw an increase in need among families with children due to the recession in 2011, according to “Growing Up in a Downturn,” a Salvation Army report from earlier this year. The report also found that 56 percent of Salvation Army youth programs were operating at or beyond capacity, which includes feeding, education, athletic, artistic and religious programs. As a result of the recession’s lingering impact, The Salvation Army expects the need to continue this Christmas season.
“For the past several years, there has been a growing need in America, and social service organizations like The Salvation Army have seen this demand first hand,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. “The ‘Fill the Truck’ event with Walmart will help The Salvation Army meet that need this Christmas, and provide something special to children in need.”

From its humble origin as a fundraiser started by a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco in 1891, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States. As part of the campaign, more than 25,000 Salvation Army workers and volunteers spread throughout the country to ring bells daily and solicit spare change donations to the iconic red kettles from holiday shoppers. In 2011, the campaign raised more than $147.6 million nationwide, a new record supported by the public’s nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars, credit cards (and the occasional diamond ring or gold tooth) all collected and used to help people in the communities where they were raised. Last year, the funds helped The Salvation Army provide food, clothing, toys and other assistance to 30 million Americans in need.

Walmart & The Salvation Army Partner For 122nd Annual Red Kettle Campaign

Red Kettle Donations and “Fill the Truck” Toy Drives to Help Provide a Cheerful Christmas to Children Nationwide 

      Alexandria, VA (November 28, 2012) – Walmart and The Salvation Army announced today that they are partnering this holiday season for the 122nd Annual Red Kettle Campaign. Walmart and Sam’s Club stores across the country will host The Salvation Army’s iconic red kettles and bell ringers again this holiday season between Friday, November 23rd and Monday, December 24th. Last year, Walmart and Sam’s Club helped The Salvation Army raise more than $46 million—nearly one-third of all money raised. All donations made to the red kettles will remain in the local communities in which they were collected, and help The Salvation Army provide food, clothing, shelter, financial assistance and other services to 30 million people a year. In addition, on Saturday, December 8, more than 2,500 Walmart stores will participate in “Fill the Truck” toy drives to help provide new toys and coats to children in need on Christmas.
      “As we gather with friends and family to celebrate the holidays this year, it’s important for us to remember our neighbors in need,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart Foundation. “By working with The Salvation Army and our generous shoppers, we hope to be able to provide families nationwide with basic need items like food, clothing and shelter, as well as bring more smiles to thousands of children on Christmas day.”

     “Fill the Truck” events will begin at 9:00 a.m. and run until 5:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, December 8 at select Walmart stores. The events are open to the general public who would like to donate new toys and coats to children who take part in Salvation Army programs year round. Upon arrival, shoppers will receive a list of suggested gifts to add to the truck or collection bin at the stores. Once the donation receptacles are full, The Salvation Army will bring the donations to their local units and distribute the gifts throughout the Christmas season as part of their support to local families in need. Collections are expected to provide gifts to more than 10,000 children nationwide. 

Walmart Ready to Reveal New Store to Irvine Shoppers

New store provides 300 jobs, plus savings on wide variety of merchandise

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 28, 2012 – Residents of Irvine are invited to the new Walmart store, which opens Wednesday, Nov. 28. The grand-opening ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., and the store will open to the public immediately following the ribbon cutting. Conveniently located at 71 Technology Drive, the new store brings approximately 300 new jobs to the area and opportunities for savings for customers. It will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.

Walmart’s Talking Holiday Toys Survey Reveals That Kids Will Do Almost Anything for Their Holiday Toys…Except Eat Spinach

     BENTONVILLE,  (Nov. 27, 2012) – Kids are willing to do almost anything to get the toys they want for Christmas according to Walmart’s Talking Holiday Toys Survey, which found that 68 percent of kids said they would clean their rooms daily for a year, while 84 percent would work hard and give up playtime.
      But every child has limits; only 23 percent of kids would eat spinach for a year to get their holiday toys. The Walmart-commissioned survey also found that mom and dad favor educational toys and are focused on price. “The survey reflects what we are seeing in our stores.
     Parents are intent on fulfilling their kids’ holiday toy wish lists and at the same time, are looking for the most affordable options,” said Laura Phillips, senior vice president of toys, seasonal and celebrations, Walmart U.S. “As the largest seller of toys in the U.S. we have a unique ability to leverage our size and scale in a way that meets those needs and helps parents deliver a Christmas to remember.”

Walmart Statement on Fire at Bangladesh Garment Factory

        Our thoughts are with the families of the victims of this tragedy. The Tazreen factory was no longer authorized to produce merchandise for Walmart.

        A supplier subcontracted work to this factory without authorization and in direct violation of our policies.  Today, we have terminated the relationship with that supplier.  The fact that this occurred is extremely troubling to us, and we will continue to work across the apparel industry to improve fire safety education and training in Bangladesh. 

Walmart employs 2.2 million associates

         Walmart employs 2.2 million associates around the world -- 1.4 million in the U.S. alone. in 2011, nearly 180,000 hourly associates received promotions, and 53% of those were women.

        In the U.S., the average, full-time hourly wage is $12.57.

Walmart is making a difference in a big way

        Walmart provides satisfying careers for 2.2 million associates around the world. And we're working to make a difference on the big issues that matter to us all. Issues like preserving the environment, fighting hunger, empowering women and providing access to healthier, affordable food.

     Visit Global Responsibility to learn more about how Walmart is driving meaningful change in a way that no other company can.

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo Thanks Walmart for Hurricane Sandy Response

At a press conference, Andrew Cuomo thanks Walmart for providing quick support and 6 tractor trailers of supplies to NYC.

We were honored to partner with the governor and other local leaders to help Sandy victims.

Walmart Changes Fourth Quarter Dividend Payment Date

         Nov. 19, 2012 – The Board of Directors of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) approved a change in the payment date of the company’s regular quarterly shareholder dividend of $0.3975 per share to Dec. 27, 2012.  This fourth quarter instalment of the company’s current annual dividend rate of $1.59 was previously scheduled to be paid on Jan. 2, 2013.  The record date associated with this dividend payment remains unchanged at Dec. 7, 2012.
        The Board of Directors approved on March 1, 2012, an annual dividend of $1.59 per share, which was approximately a 9 percent increase from the $1.46 per share paid during the previous fiscal year.

Walmart Announces its Biggest Cyber Monday Ever With Up to $1,000* Savings Online on Popular Gifts & More

        Walmart announces its biggest Cyber Monday event ever with up to $1,000 savings on popular gifts online, including electronics, toys, video games and more. Kicking off Cyber Week earlier this year on Saturday, November 24 and lasting through Sunday, December 2, specials will be available online and refreshed EVERY DAY on Walmart.com.

        Even more, customers can get free shipping to home on over 100,000 items that customers want most, including nearly all electronics and toys, and can also choose free in-store pickup. And, for the first time, holiday shoppers can order gifts online and use Pay with Cash, including all Black Friday and Cyber Week online-only specials.

Walmart Introduces Goodies Co. to Deliver Delicious to Your Front Door

New Food Subscription Service at Only $7 a Month is Latest Innovation from @WalmartLabs SAN BRUNO, Calif.,
      Walmart (NYSE: WMT) today announced the launch of Goodies Co., a monthly food subscription service for consumers to savor delectable foods and discover new items. For only $7 a month, including tax and shipping, subscribers receive a gift box at their doorstep filled with five to eight hand-picked taster samples ranging from healthy and organic to artisan and ethnic.

       The new Goodies Co. box, created by @WalmartLabs, underscores Walmart’s commitment to e-commerce and its use of social innovations to create new offerings for consumers. Goodies Co. has been in a private beta test for the last few months with over 3,000 users across the United States. Each month, treats are arranged into a thematic selection such as “Flavors around the World,” and “Trick-or-Treat Sweets” for Halloween. November’s Thanksgiving theme is “Easy Entertaining” complete with gourmet foods such as wine biscuits, pumpkin soufflé mix, dark chocolate infused Quinoa bars, and white cheddar popcorn among others. The delectables arrive in a gift box with a colorful information card that describes each food in detail.

Walmart Reaffirms Support for Guard and Reserve Employees

        Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, announced Walmart will sign a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve at 11a.m. on Monday, November 12, 2012. Bill Simon, President and CEO, Walmart U.S., will sign the pledge in a ceremony at the corporate offices in Bentonville, Arkansas.

         Simon served 25 years in the United States Navy and Navy Reserve and will be joined by the Honorable Jessica L. Wright, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. In addition to the corporate office signing ceremony, Walmart is conducting a national Statement of Support signing initiative at 10 regional locations. The Statement of Support confirms Walmart joins other employers in pledging: We fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
        Our managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans. We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.

Walmart reports Q3 EPS of $1.08, reaffirms top end of full-year EPS guidance; Company is well positioned for Q4 holidays

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. reported financial results for the quarter ended Oct. 31, 2012.

• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Walmart) reported third quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.08, within guidance of $1.04 to $1.09. This was an 11.3 percent increase from the $0.97 per share reported for the third quarter last year.
• The company updated its full year earnings guidance, narrowing the range by five cents to $4.88 to $4.93. The top of the range remains unchanged from the guidance provided last quarter, when the company tightened the range and increased it by a penny.
• Net sales were $113.2 billion, a 3.4 percent increase over last year. Currency exchange rate fluctuations negatively impacted net sales by approximately $1.7 billion. Without the currency impact¹, net sales would have been $114.9 billion, a 4.9 percent increase.
• Walmart U.S. comparable (“comp”) store sales increased 1.5 percent in the 13-week period ended Oct. 26, 2012.
• Sam's Club comp sales, without fuel, increased 2.7 percent for the same 13-week period.
• Walmart International grew net sales 2.4 percent to $33.2 billion; on a constant currency¹ basis, net sales would have increased 7.6 percent to $34.8 billion.
• The company leveraged operating expenses for the quarter.
• Consolidated operating income was $6.1 billion, up 4.0 percent from last year, and grew faster than sales.
• Walmart generated free cash flow¹ of $7.0 billion for the nine months ended Oct. 31, 2012.
• Return on investment¹ (ROI) for the trailing 12 months ended Oct. 31, 2012 was 18.0 percent.
• Year to date, the company returned $8.7 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

Sam’s Club Puts the Cheer into Black Friday Savings

BENTONVILLE, ARK., Nov. 8, 2012 – Shoppers on the hunt for a more cheerful Black Friday savings experience should look no further than Sam’s Club, who today announced extraordinary savings atop complimentary breakfast to all Sam’s Club members on Nov. 23. When the doors open at 7 a.m., holiday cheer starts at Sam’s Club with members-only savings on exclusive one-day only items and top brands, plus  free Starbucks Holiday Blend Coffee and Artisan Fresh pastries, baked fresh at Sam’s Club.†
Making Black Friday Cheery
According to a recent Sam’s Club 2012 Study on Holiday Cheer one in ten shoppers believe early morning shopping is in need of more holiday cheer. The study found that to make the annual Black Friday shopping trip cheerier, 36 percent of American consumers who shop on Black Friday want to receive free stuff, 24 percent want smaller crowds, 20 percent would like shorter lines, 12 percent want baked pastries and eight percent want free coffee.
“Our members pay a fee to shop in our clubs, so they expect a sensible, hassle-free holiday shopping experience alongside an exciting assortment of gifts at great prices; at Sam’s Club, they’ll find free breakfast, hot coffee and award-winning member service,” said Todd Harbaugh, Executive Vice President of Operations at Sam’s Club. “The Black Friday shopping experience is our annual ‘thank you’ to members, providing access to extraordinary prices, quality brands our members trust like Samsung, Dyson, and Vizio, and the assortment of gifts to bring cheer to all of our members’ family and friends.”

Walmart “Guarantees” Customers its Best Black Friday Ever

Retailer Unveils Black Friday Circular and Event Times; Guarantees Top Wishlist Items

        BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 08, 2012 – Walmart unveils its best Black Friday assortment and pricing ever offered. Revealed to customers on Walmart.com, its Facebook wall and mobile app, the retailer’s Black Friday circular showcases hundreds of brand name electronics, toys, apparel, sporting goods and items for the home – backed by Walmart’s ad match guarantee – available during three events starting at 8 p.m. on November 22.

       In addition to offering amazing low prices on the season’s top gifts, Walmart is taking the historic step to ensure wishlist items like the Apple iPad^®2 are available for customers during a special one-hour event on Thanksgiving.

       “We know it’s frustrating for customers to shop on Black Friday and not get the items they want,” said Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising and marketing officer, Walmart U.S.  “This year, for the first time ever, customers that shop during Walmart’s one-hour event will be guaranteed to have three of the most popular items under their tree at a great low price.”

Walmart Foundation Awards Swords to Plowshares $750,000 to Provide Job Training and Employment Support to Veterans

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 8, 2012 – The Walmart Foundation recently awarded Swords to Plowshares, a San Francisco-based veteran service agency, a statewide grant to improve and increase job training programs for California veterans. The grant will provide assistance to 700 veterans in underserved areas of California.

“Veterans, especially those who recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan, need support in finding meaningful job opportunities,” said Michael Blecker, Executive Director of Swords to Plowshares. “This grant will have a significant impact on our ability to provide job training and place more veterans in jobs throughout California.
The grant from Walmart Foundation will also allow Swords to Plowshares to re-grant job training dollars to veteran service providers throughout California, particularly in communities with the highest number of unemployed veterans. Veterans will receive assistance with job training programs in high-growth industries, pre-employment assistance and placement with local employers.  The Walmart grant will greatly complement each organization’s existing array of services for job seeking veterans.
“As one of the nation’s largest private employers of veterans and those on active duty, we share Sword to Plowshare’s vision of a country where every veteran has a chance to succeed economically and support his or her family,” said retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Gary Profit, senior director of military programs at Walmart. “Walmart has committed $20 million to making that vision a reality by supporting organizations and programs that provide job and skills training to our veterans. These young men and women stood up for us, and now it’s our turn to stand up for them.”
“We know firsthand that far too many veterans have a difficult time transitioning the skills they learned in the military to the civilian workforce,” said Blecker.  “This grant is key to providing the support veterans need amidst a challenged economy and competitive workforce.”

Walmart Responds to Hurricane Sandy

Nov. 8, 2012

We're deeply concerned by the devastation we've seen and our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured or lost family members in this horrible storm.

Walmart is committed to being a community partner in recovery efforts. We are pledging up to $1.5 million to help with relief efforts in the hardest hit areas to ensure the essential needs of residents are being met.

World’s Largest Grill on Tour to Support Disaster Relief

Walmart and Johnsonville Team Up to Provide Hot Brats to Hurricane Sandy Survivors   

When the power's out and you haven't had a hot meal in a while, a free brat off the grill can hit the spot. That’s why Walmart is teaming up with our supplier, Johnsonville, to bring the World’s Largest Grill to several communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy. 

The Johnsonville Big Taste Grill will be making several stops at area Walmart locations to provide hot meals for those affected by or responding to Hurricane Sandy. The public is invited to come out for FREE Brats and Italian Sausages hot off the grill. The 65 foot long grill can cook more than 750 brats at a time – approximately 2,500 per hour. Walmart associates will be helping the Johnsonville Team by passing out free soft drinks.

Walmart Responds to Hurricane Sandy

    As the sun has come up, we have begun to see pictures of some of the damage this storm has brought with it. We remain concerned for the communities and for the millions of people that have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.

   At peak, we've had 294 facility closures, which include stores, clubs and distribution centers. Most of those were due to mandatory evacuations, power outages and safety concerns. The number affected continues to fluctuate, and this page is being updated every few hours as the situation changes.

Sam’s Club Set to Celebrate Grand Opening in St. Petersburg

    Nearly170 newly hired Sam’s Club associates and managers will join local residents and officials in welcoming St. Petersburg’s newest Sam’s Club location at a special grand opening ceremony at 7:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 25.
    Located at 1725 34th Street North, the new St. Petersburg Sam’s Club offers members extraordinary savings on quality merchandise, members-only services and benefits. The new Pinellas location will be the 45^th Sam’s Club location in Florida, and the third in the greater St. Petersburg area. Approximately 170 new jobs were created in St. Petersburg with the opening of the new Sam’s Club.

     Sam’s Club associates from the St. Petersburg club will be presenting grants totaling $45,000 to a number of community organizations, including a special $20,000 grant for the Pinellas County School District“Pack-a-Sack” Program.
    "We know a student's ability to learn can be impacted by challenges at home such as food insecurity," said Tari Connell, Managing Officer of School Social Work at Pinellas County Schools. "We are grateful for Sam’s Club support for the Pack-a-Sack program, which provides food for children to take home every Friday. Each step we take to support all the needs of our students is a step toward their success."
“Fighting hunger is an extremely important cause in the eyes and hearts of our associates, and we are humbled to contribute to Pinellas County Schools in a meaningful way,” said Murray.

   The grant presentations will take place during a Preview Night Ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m.

New Sam’s Club Opens in St. Tammany Parish

     Sam’s Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is the nation’s eighth largest retailer and a leading Membership warehouse club offering superior products and services to more than 47 million Members in clubs across the U.S., as well as in Brazil, China and Mexico. 

    The Covington Sam’s Club will open Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 8:30 a.m. in West St. Tammany Parish’s River Chase development, located at 69630 Stirling Blvd. With a convenient location near I-12 and services including a fuel station and pharmacy, the new club will bring a unique shopping experience to local residents.
The grand opening ceremony, led by Covington Sam’s Club Manager Chris Cuevas, will feature local dignitaries and special appearances as community officials cut the ribbon to signify the club’s opening. Cuevas, who began his career with Sam’s Club in 1997 and has held a management position previously at the Houma, La., Sam’s Club, has overseen the hiring of 180 new Sam’s Club associates for the Covington club, bringing new jobs and growth opportunities to the West St. Tammany Parish community.

      The new Sam’s Club will also help fight hunger in the area by making regular product donations to the Greater Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans. As part of a nationwide collaboration between Sam’s Club and Feeding America, Sam’s Club donated more than 13 million pounds of food to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief charity.
     The Covington Sam’s Club is the third new club opened in southern Louisiana this year, following a club opening in Baton Rouge in January and Denham Springs in June, and will be the 13^th Sam’s Club in Louisiana.  Along with parent company Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Sam’s Club employs more than 35,000 associates in Louisiana and collected more than $477 million in state and local taxes through sales in 2011.      The Walmart Foundation and Sam’s Club Giving Program contributed $15.8 million to Louisiana non-profit organizations last year.

Walmart Celebrates Newly-Operational Industrial Wind Turbine at Distribution Center in Red Bluff, California

     October 29, 2012 – Walmart celebrated its newly operational large-scale wind turbine at its distribution center in Red Bluff, California. The wind turbine is Walmart’s first onsite industrial-sized wind turbine and will generate approximately 2,200,000 kilowatt hours of power, providing up to 20 percent of the distribution center’s annual electricity use. U.S. House Representative Wally Herger joined local officials, as well as Walmart and Foundation Windpower executives, to commemorate the pilot project.

      The GE SLE 1.0 Megawatt Wind Turbine is comparable in height to a typical 20-story building, with a tower measuring 265 feet tall and a blade spanning 250 feet in diameter. Under the terms of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Foundation Windpower the project will contribute to energy expense savings as well as provide price certainty for the electricity produced. Foundation Windpower installs, owns, and operates the wind turbine while Walmart purchases the power produced at a fixed rate. Red Bluff was selected for the installation because it provides an ideal environment for an installation of this scale, with good wind conditions and available land already owned by Walmart.
      "I commend Walmart and Foundation Windpower for their commitment to investing in Red Bluff and for working to produce more American-made energy,” said Congressman Wally Herger (R- CA 02). “This project demonstrates how private-sector-led innovation can create jobs and bring down prices for consumers. By making good use of the natural resources Northern California has been blessed with, we can bring more economic growth and opportunity to our communities.”
      “The Red Bluff pilot project is a shining example of how Walmart has made the serious commitment to finding renewable energy solutions for its operations as we work towards the goal of being supplied by 100 percent renewable energy,” said Kim Saylors-Laster, vice president of energy at Walmart.  “With the Red Bluff wind turbine now fully operational, we look forward to continuing to explore renewable energy alternatives to support our operations and reduce our utility costs throughout the country and around the world.”
      “We are delighted to celebrate this partnership with Walmart.  Our project is highly visible evidence that the world’s largest retailer is also the most forward thinking on issues of sustainability and renewable energy,” said John Pimentel, president of Foundation Windpower. “Foundation Windpower now has 22 Megawatts of distributed wind projects in California and looks forward to completing additional similar projects across the country.”
      The wind turbine in Red Bluff is one of more than 180 renewable energy efforts underway worldwide as Walmart works towards its goal of being supplied by 100 percent renewable energy. In addition to a number of solar-focused efforts – including a goal to bring solar energy to more than 75 percent of Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in California, approximately 130 stores, by the end of 2013 – Walmart’s current wind energy projects include:

• A 90-megawatt wind farm in West Texas, providing 15 percent of power for over 300 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs and delivering the power purchase equivalent to annual usage of more than 20,000 average American homes
• 348 stores in Mexico supplied by wind power, providing 17 percent of energy needs for Walmart de México and reducing CO2 emissions by 137,240 tons annually
• Wind power provides 100 percent of the electricity needs in fourteen stores in Northern Ireland
• Additional wind energy projects include 12 mini wind turbines that power a Walmart store in Worchester, Massachusetts, wind turbine installations at Walmart’s food distribution center in Balzac, Alberta Canada and micro wind installations at the Sam’s Club in Palmdale, California

Walmart International statement on growth plans in China

     Walmart believes strongly that the Chinese retail industry has great potential thanks to economic growth, expansion of the middle class, fast urbanization and government policies to further boost domestic demand as stipulated in the 12^th Five Year Plan. Beginning next fiscal year, Walmart will establish approximately 100 new stores and Sam’s Clubs over the next three years.  We also will invest in logistics infrastructure.  We plan to add 18,000 jobs in China to support this store growth.”

Walmart Foundation Awards $2 Million Grant to Launch The Sustainability Consortium in China

BEIJING, China – Oct. 25, 2012 - Walmart today further strengthened its commitment to a sustainable global supply chain by announcing a series of initiatives to make the company’s supply chain in the United States, China, and around the world more sustainable. At an event in Beijing with government officials, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), academics, suppliers and company associates, Walmart said the company will use the Sustainability Index to design more sustainable products, make its global supply chain more socially and environmentally accountable and responsible, and incentivize merchants to make sustainability a bigger part of their day-to-day jobs.
“Today I’m proud to announce a series of steps and commitments that will make Walmart’s supply chain, in the United States, here in China, and around the world, more sustainable,” said Mike Duke, President and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “The impact of these commitments will be global and make a difference with products sold around the globe.”
“Walmart and the Chinese Government, along with local NGOs and suppliers, have worked together and independently to find new solutions and models for sustainable growth,” said Gary Locke, U.S. Ambassador to China. "Today’s announcement will help accelerate the good work under way to make affordable and sustainable consumer goods more accessible here in China and around the world.”
The additional initiatives announced at today’s event will build on the broader sustainability goals Walmart set at the China Sustainability Summit in 2008. The commitments outlined today include:

• By the end of 2017, Walmart will buy 70 percent of the goods it sells in U.S. stores and in U.S. Sam’s Clubs only from suppliers in the United States, China, and around the world who use the Index to evaluate and share the sustainability of their products. This change will involve suppliers who produce goods in categories where the Index is available.

• Beginning in 2013, Walmart will use the Sustainability Index to influence the design of its U.S. private brand products.

• Walmart will change the way its key global sourcing merchants are evaluated so that sustainability becomes an even more important part of buyers’ day-to-day jobs. Beginning in 2013, these buyers will join key buyers in Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club who already have specific sustainability objectives on their annual evaluations. 

• The Walmart Foundation will grant $2 million to fund The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) and assist in its efforts in launching TSC in China. TSC is an independent research organization. Using the Walmart Foundation grant, TSC China will engage industries, universities and other experts to form a global network of leaders improving sustainability in consumer goods, and will provide tools and resources to help suppliers become more sustainable and competitive. Walmart will use the results of TSC's independent work to refine its Sustainability Index for use in China.

“The $2 million grant from the Walmart Foundation will support the Consortium and position us to help bring the best science and research to support the development of the green supply chain here in China and globally,” said Kara Hurst, CEO of The Sustainability Consortium.

Media Advisory: Walmart to Announce New Sustainability Commitments in Beijing, China

What:

Walmart Sustainable Global Sourcing announcement in Beijing, China, with Walmart executives, U.S. and Chinese government officials, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and Walmart associates to announce strengthened and expanded commitments to the company’s global sustainability supply chain and to update on progress on global commitments announced at the 2008 Beijing Sustainability Summit.

Who:

Mike Duke, President and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Leslie Dach, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Walmart
Greg Foran, President, Walmart China
Gary Locke, U.S. Ambassador to China
Li Jun Fung, Director-General National Climate Change Strategy Research, NDRC
Kara Hurst, CEO, The Sustainability Consortium
Orville Schell, Director US-China Center, Asia Society

When:

Thursday, October 25, 2012
China World Hotel
Beijing, China
2:00 p.m. (Beijing Time)

Retailer Gears Up with Racing Simulators, Authentic Race Merchandise, Race Day Savings

MARTINSVILLE, Va., Oct. 22, 2012 – As the Martinsville Speedway prepares for the upcoming TUMS Fast Relief 500, select Walmart stores in the Martinsville area will offer authentic NASCAR merchandise and host exclusive fan events starting Wednesday, Oct. 24, continuing through Saturday, Oct. 27.  Customers are invited to attend these special events and enjoy stock racing car displays and racing simulator machines – perfect to safely get behind the wheel and feel the power of NASCAR – Oct. 24-27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The TUMS Fast Relief 500 is the seventh race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. This 500-lap event is part of NASCAR’s 10-race playoff. In 2011, Tony Stewart took the TUMS Fast Relief 500 victory for his third career win at Martinsville Speedway and later went on to win his third NASCAR Sprint Cup championship.
Race Time at WalmartIn addition to the fan events happening in Walmart parking lots, area Walmart stores will feature savings on all the food and snacks fans need to enjoy the race, plus authentic NASCAR merchandise such as T-shirts and racing flags, with an even bigger selection of exclusive products available at Walmart.com/NASCAR.
Participating stores in the Martinsville area include:
515 Mount Cross RoadDanville, Va.

Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan (PDP) Provides Affordable Prescriptions to Seniors and Other Medicare Beneficiaries

 Oct. 15, 2012 — Annual enrollment begins today for 2013 Medicare plans and Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) and Walmart (NYSE: WMT) will once again help beneficiaries afford their prescriptions.  The Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan, which has grown by more than 50 percent over the past year and has nearly 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries currently enrolled, features:

• One low monthly plan premium of $18.50 a month for beneficiaries in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., regardless of where they live.
• In-store copayments as low as $1 for generic medications after deductible when plan members fill their prescriptions at the more than 4,400 Walmart, Sam’s Club or Neighborhood Market pharmacies.
• Mail order copayments, via Humana’s RightSource Rx Pharmacy, as low as $0. 
• A broad prescription offering with more than 1,500 generic medications. A list of prescription drugs covered by the plan is available at humana-medicare.com.

“Walmart has helped nearly one and a half million seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries save money on their medications so they can ultimately live healthier lives,” said John Agwunobi, M.D., president of Walmart’s Health and Wellness Division. “We pioneered a low-cost, national Medicare Part D program with Humana two years ago, which continues to offer one of the lowest premiums available. This year, we have joined additional plans as a preferred pharmacy as well, allowing us to provide our affordable prescription services to more seniors than ever before.”
“As one of the leading health benefits and Medicare companies, Humana is helping Americans navigate the changing landscape of health care,” said William Fleming, Pharm. D., president of Humana Pharmacy Solutions. “By working with Walmart – a leader in cost savings – we’re enabling seniors and people with disabilities to better afford their medications.”
Medicare Part D is the prescription drug program supported by the federal government. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 20 million people are currently enrolled in a stand-alone Part D plan. Based on 2010 Census data, there are 40.2 million people 65 years and older, representing 13 percent of the total U.S. population.
“With so many options based on where you live and what prescriptions you need, selecting a Medicare Part D plan can be overwhelming,” said Alexis Abramson, Ph.D, a gerontologist and leading advocate for health and wellness issues affecting baby boomers and seniors. “Programs such as the Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan provide an affordable solution for all qualified Medicare beneficiaries – whether they live in Boise or Chicago.”
Annual enrollment for 2013 Medicare plans runs from Oct. 15, 2012 – Dec. 7, 2012. For more information on the Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan (PDP), please visit walmart.com/rxplan or humana-medicare.com. Beneficiaries can also call Humana toll free at 1-800-899-0441 (TTY: 711). Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. The online resources feature plan finder tools to compare Medicare Part D options.
Walmart’s role as a preferred pharmacy on many Medicare Part D plans builds on the retailer’s ongoing commitment to save its customers money on their pharmacy purchases. For example, in 2006 Walmart introduced a $4 prescription program that has saved customers more than $4.8 billion on their prescriptions.

Walmart Expands Health Benefits to Cover Heart and Spine Surgeries at No Cost to Associates

         As health care costs continue to rise, Walmart is introducing a first-of-its-kind Centers of Excellence program that will offer its associates quality health care with no out-of-pocket cost for heart, spine, and transplant surgeries at six of the leading hospital and health systems in the U.S. 
The six designated health care organizations include the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio; Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa.; Mayo Clinic sites in Rochester, Minn., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz., and Jacksonville, Fla.; Mercy Hospital Springfield in Springfield, Mo; Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas; and Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. These organizations will give Walmart associates the opportunity to receive care at hospitals and medical centers geographically located across the country that specialize in heart, spine and transplant care.

        “We devoted extensive time developing Centers of Excellence in order to improve the quality of care our associates’ receive,” said Sally Welborn, senior vice president of global benefits at Walmart. “We have identified six renowned health care systems that meet the highest quality standards for heart, spine and transplant surgery. Through these hospital systems, our associates will have no out-of-pocket expenses and a greater peace of mind knowing they are receiving exceptional care from a facility that specializes in the procedure they require. This is the first time a retailer has offered a comprehensive, nationwide program for heart, spine and transplant surgery.”
        The new Centers of Excellence program is being expanded from covering transplants, which began with the Mayo Clinic in 1996, to include treatment for certain heart and spine surgeries. Walmart’s associates and their dependents who are enrolled in the company’s medical plans will receive consultations and care covered at 100 percent without deductible or coinsurance, plus travel, lodging and food for the patient and a caregiver.
         Patients must be healthy enough to travel for the surgeries. Four of the designated health care systems -- Cleveland Clinic, Geisinger Medical Center, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and
Virginia Mason Medical Center, will offer specific procedures for cardiac surgery that include open heart surgery for coronary artery bypass grafting, heart valve replacement/repair, closures of heart defects, thoracic and aortic aneurysm repair and other complex cardiac surgeries.
Three of the health care systems -- Mercy Hospital Springfield, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Virginia Mason Medical Center will perform spine procedures that will include cervical and lumbar spinal fusion, total disk arthroplasty, spine surgery revisions and other complex spine surgeries. Transplants will continue to be provided by the Mayo Clinic.

Live Better: Children's Miracle Network

    Miracles happen every day. Solaine Carter is one of them.

    This year, between May 1 and June 15, Walmart associates and customers raised over $40 million for Children's Miracle Network -- to help kids just like Solaine.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. webcast agenda for the 19th Annual Meeting for the Investment Community

Oct. 9, 2012 -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) will webcast its annual meeting for the investment community on Wednesday, Oct. 10 from approximately 7:45 a.m. CDT to 3 p.m. CDT.
The meeting kicks off at 7:45 a.m. CDT with an overall strategic message from Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke.  The morning will be dedicated to presentations on the operating segments from each CEO and members of their leadership teams:

• Walmart U.S. – Bill Simon
• Sam’s Club – Rosalind Brewer
• Walmart International – Doug McMillon

Following a break for lunch, presentations will run from approximately 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. CDT.  The afternoon agenda includes:

• Global eCommerce – Neil Ashe, EVP and CEO of Global eCommerce
• Financial strategy and capital expenditure update – Charles Holley, EVP and CFO of   Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
• Strategic priorities  – Mike Duke

American Express and Walmart Launch Bluebird: a New Alternative to Debit and Checking Accounts

     Oct. 8, 2012 – Walmart and American Express today announced the launch of Bluebird, an alternative to debit and checking accounts designed to help consumers better manage and control their everyday finances. Bluebird has been developed for the tens of millions of Americans who are looking for advanced capabilities such as deposits by smartphone and mobile bill pay, fee transparency, and no minimum balance, monthly, annual or overdraft fees. Bluebird puts the power back in the hands of consumers and will be available next week online at bluebird.com and in more than 4,000 Walmart stores. 

     Building on a pilot program launched in late 2011, Bluebird was shaped by feedback from consumers who said they were not getting the value they expect from traditional checking account and debit services because of increasingly higher fees. According to an independent study by Bretton Woods¹, consumers now pay an average of $259 per year for a basic checking account and that cost is rising due to higher minimum balance requirements and a growing list of fees being added to these services.

Walmart Launches Rapid Reload™ to Provide Americans with an Affordable and Convenient Way to Add Cash to Prepaid Cards

       October 2, 2012 – Walmart is launching an affordable and convenient way for customers to load money onto prepaid cards with Rapid Reload, a new service that will accept reloadable cards affiliated with the Green Dot Network, InComm’s Vanilla Reload Network and First Data’s Money Network. Available today in more than 3,800 Walmart stores nationwide, customers can add money to their card at any register for a low price of $3.74.

       According to a recent study by Mercator Advisory Group, 56 million Americans have a prepaid or payroll card. Rapid Reload is a savings for these consumers who have been paying up to $5 to add cash to their cards.

     “Many of our customers continue to seek alternatives that improve both the convenience and cost of every day financial services,” said Daniel Eckert, vice president of financial services for Walmart U.S. “Through our partnerships with Green Dot, InComm and First Data, we are ensuring that the majority of prepaid cards available in the U.S. can be reloaded at Walmart. This is another way we're providing millions of Americans with affordable ways to manage their money.”

     Before today, customers had to make an extra stop to reload their prepaid cards before shopping at Walmart. With Rapid Reload, the process is simple. There are no forms to fill out, no scratch-off PINs and no need to make a phone call or visit a website to complete the reload.

     Walmart will now accept individually branded cards such as Account Now, Achieve Card, H&R Block, Momentum, Money Network, MyVanilla, NetSpend, PayPal, Rush Card and Upside among others. Walmart’s MoneyCard, the world’s best-selling prepaid card, will remain available for a low price of $3.

Walmart Institute initiative to be replicated in other countries

Program focuses on young people who seek professional development.

    Sao Paulo, September 25, 2012 - Walmart Institute (IWM) has given a new leap in relation to its private social investment and for the first time, it will have one of its social technologies developed in Brazil - The Social Retail School (ESV) - spread to other countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia. This achievement comes from a new partnership signed between the Walmart Foundation and the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and the Aliança Institute.
     Ongoing since 2010, the Social Retail School provides training and the insertion of skilled young people into the labor market, with a focus on retail. The program has trained more than 4000 young people in the five states where it has been held - Rio Grande do Sul, Pernambuco, Bahia, Ceara and Sao Paulo.
By the end of this year there will be planned activities for the first phase of internationalization, which involves three steps. The first one is the translation and adaptation of all teaching materials - for students and teachers - used at ESV. Then, consultants who specialize in education will visit seven countries - China, South Africa, Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Chile, Mexico - to identify, together with local social organizations, possibilities to organize local ESVs. A study along the same lines will also be made for Brazil, consolidating and strengthening the experience accumulated so far by Walmart Institute and its partners.
The consultants will also come to Brazil to deeply learn about the strategies and methodologies used by the program, and from there, build a map of possibilities to implement the program overseas. The third and final stage of this first phase will be to conduct a mapping of the ESV, identifying success stories and experiences from each of the schools in all States in order to guide the other consultants.
According to Paulo Mindlin, director of IWM, it is a great achievement as it is an acknowledgment of the company and Walmart Foundation for the great results achieved by the program so far.
The proposal, according to Susan Pezzullo, Director of Programs for Latin America and the Caribbean of the International Youth Foundation (IYF), is to gain scale, but always ensuring the quality of training. “As the impacts have been positive in Brazil, I think the challenge now will be to reproduce similar results. Walmart Institute is seeking to identify what is essential so as to replicate the results we've seen in the country elsewhere, doing so in less time and with more efficiency”, she says.
The goal is to keep the essence of the program methodology, adapted to local issues that meet the challenges of the country. Vinicius Maffalti highlights that the great legacy the ESV will not miss is the dimension of its young people’s life projects, in view of their personal and professional development.
Currently, the ESV promotes the insertion of about 80% of the young people who participate in the training activities. The result draws attention to one of the major global challenges: youth unemployment. According to the ILO (International Labour Organisation) about 75 million young people are currently unemployed worldwide. “This is a program that responds to a demand that is not only in Brazil but worldwide. Surely this has a significant impact because it is a social technology that has the potential to be replicated elsewhere, in places with very similar demands”, said Vinicius Malfatti, IWM coordinator, responsible for the Social Retail School.
According to Malfatti, the ESV brings an answer to the yearnings of the youth, to their getting their first jobs, and the program is aligned to opportunities within the business itself, as retail is considered a major gateway to the labor market. He also emphasizes the importance of the partnership with the Government, which also faces the challenge of ensuring the training of young people for the country's development.

Example to be shared
For the young people who have participated in the formation of the ESV, it is this look at the construction of a life project that makes all the difference to their professional insertion. Claudia Cristina Antunes, 19, a participant in the class of 2010 at ESV Barueri (SP), is an example of a girl who knows what she wants in life, having already drawn her career path within retailer Walmart.

This young lady, who works at Sam's Club Osasco, already changed positions three times since entering the store in December 2010, due to her good performance. Today, she serves as check-out inspector, but believes that she will soon be promoted to be a supervisor. For 2013, her plans have also been defined: the beginning of a Marketing degree in order to gain a position at the company office at a later stage.
All this determination, she states, came from the experience she earned at the ESV. “I learned a lot of things for my personal and professional life. It is a program that opens up our eyes, that shows we can grow”, said the girl, who was delighted with the news of the internationalization of the Social Retail School. "It will be great for the program to go elsewhere. I hope it can transform the lives of more young people. "

Walmart Increases Staffing Levels for the Christmas Season

“The holidays are a special time of the year for everyone, and we are ready to help customers have a great shopping experience at Walmart—whether they are looking for the perfect gift or are stocking up for a memorable holiday meal.
“This is our busiest time of the year and we are focused even more on providing excellent service to our shoppers throughout the holiday season. One way we do that is by ensuring our stores are adequately staffed by our associates.
“This year, we will be offering more hours to our existing associates and hiring more than 50,000 seasonal associates to staff our stores. That means when a customer needs help, a Walmart associate will be there to serve them.
“We know many customers are continuing to struggle as a result of the economy and high unemployment levels, but they have shown us that they’re resilient. They’re committed to giving their families a memorable Christmas. And, we hope that every customer who shops at Walmart this Christmas will be able to add a few more gifts under the tree. By offering more hours and more jobs, we hope our associates can do the same.
“Throughout the holiday season, Walmart will be focused on helping more Americans have the Christmas they want and the Christmas they can afford.”

-      Gisel Ruiz, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Walmart U.S.

Walmart and HumanaVitality Partner for First-of-its-Kind Healthier Food Program Designed to Incentivize Wellness in America

Sept. 19, 2012 – Walmart today launched a first-of-its-kind effort to help consumers across the U.S. save money on more-nutritious foods and ultimately, live longer, healthier lives. In partnership with HumanaVitality, a subsidiary of Humana, the effort represents the first national program where a major retailer and healthcare company have come together to incentivize people to eat better through savings on healthier foods. Beginning on Oct. 15, more than 1 million HumanaVitality members who shop at Walmart will be eligible for a new program which offers a 5% savings on products that qualify for Walmart’s Great For You icon, including fresh fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy. Recent research* shows the struggle consumers face with purchasing healthier foods. In fact, one in four families report skipping healthy purchases often or always due to price. By collaborating with HumanaVitality to invest in healthier, affordable food, Walmart is directly addressing this issue and working to bring down the costs of healthcare in the U.S. This program continues an effort Walmart began in 2011 when it unveiled a commitment to make healthier food affordable and accessible with First Lady Michelle Obama. It is another example of how Walmart uses its size and scale to lead on big social issues that matter to Americans. “Price is an important factor in incentivizing wellness in America. By offering affordable, healthier foods, we will help make our customers healthier and reduce costs to our healthcare system as a whole. This represents preventative care in its purest form,” said John Agwunobi, M.D., president of health and wellness, Walmart U.S. “We want to be our customers’ wellness destination – the retailer that provides them with affordable ways to fight for their health.” “We need innovative thinking and new partnerships to successfully address our country’s alarming healthcare issues,” said Ginny Ehrlich, chief executive officer of the William J. Clinton Foundation’s Health Matters Initiative. “Walmart and HumanaVitality working together to help people make better decisions in the grocery aisle is a perfect example of how promoting healthier lifestyles can be a win for companies willing to explore new paths and, far more importantly, a great benefit for the health status of Americans.” Joe Woods, CEO of HumanaVitality, is equally committed to inspiring healthier behavior. “The ‘Vitality HealthyFood’ program with Walmart represents a new way we can decrease America’s healthcare bill. In a recent survey of our members, 84% said that a savings program would motivate them to purchase healthier foods. We will be aggressively communicating this program to more than 600,000 hospitals and physicians, as well as 60,000 insurance brokers to ensure as many members as possible can benefit from it.

Walmart Launches Fighting Hunger Together Fall Initiative To Deliver Up To 53 Million Meals and Give Consumers the Chance to Win a $50,000 “Golden Spark” for Their Community

Sept. 18, 2012 – Today Walmart ignites another initiative in the fight against hunger with the start of its $2.5 million “Golden Spark” promotion, giving consumers a chance to win “sparks” that will help fund childhood hunger programs in their communities. The promotion is just one part of the company’s Fighting Hunger Together fall initiative which brings together customers, associates, Feeding America and five of the nation’s largest food companies — ConAgra Foods, General Mills, Kellogg Company, Kraft Foods, and Unilever — to provide meals nationwide. The campaign launches during Hunger Action Month when leading hunger advocates urge individuals to help fight hunger in their local communities. Following are the ways consumers can participate: WIN A “GOLDEN SPARK” AND HELP FEED KIDS IN THEIR COMMUNITY: Through October 14, Walmart will randomly award 40 “Golden Sparks” valued at $50,000 each to consumers who participate in the Fighting Hunger Together Golden Spark promotion. The winners will choose a community to receive the funding to start or expand a backpack program that provides vital meals to food-insecure children during weekends when they do not have access to free- and reduced-price school meals. Participants can enter to win a “Golden Spark” for their community by visiting www.walmart.com/hunger or Walmart’s Live Better Facebook app. Also, Walmart Associates can compete together for their store to win 10 additional “Golden Sparks” totaling $500,000 for their communities by logging the most hunger relief volunteer hours during the life of the campaign. GENERATE MEAL DONATIONS IN-STORE, ONLINE OR VIA MOBILE APP: Through October 12, customers will be able to generate meal donations for Feeding America by purchasing select products from participating food suppliers at Walmart stores and following instructions on the packaging, engaging in the “Give Meal” section of www.walmart.com/hunger, or using a mobile app to generate meal donations for Feeding America.

Sam’s Club Offers New Immunizations to Communities Nationwide

Sam’s Club announced today it is joining Walmart to offer 10 vital immunizations this cold and flu season at all Sam’s Club locations with a pharmacy. The 554 Sam’s Club pharmacy locations provide the largest warehouse network offering of vaccines in the U.S.In partnership with Mollen Immunization Clinics, Sam’s Club is offering an expanded menu of immunizations from registered nurses through November 15, including shingles, chickenpox and whooping cough. All Sam’s Club pharmacy locations are open to the public.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many adults have not received one or more of their recommended vaccines. A new survey from Sam’s Club reveals that more than two thirds of Americans are unaware of the availability of CDC-recommended vaccines other than the flu shot. This lack of awareness is evidenced in the vaccinations that Americans report they have personally received. While a majority has received a flu shot (62 percent) or Tdap (59 percent), the vast majority of Americans do not report receiving any of the other CDC-recommended vaccines in their lifetimes.
“Under-vaccinated communities can face a greater risk of local outbreaks of disease, and the CDC’s recommended vaccine schedule for adults is a great reference to ensure that our communities stay healthy,” said Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president of Sam’s Club health and wellness. “By offering the CDC’s recommended vaccines this year, Sam’s Club pharmacies continue to help our communities live healthy at a remarkable value.”
In addition to new immunizations, Sam’s Club will continue to offer flu and pneumonia vaccines in all 554 U.S. pharmacy locations, which are open to Members and the public. The flu vaccine at Sam’s Club will be available to anyone 3 years and older based on CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Anyone can go online to schedule in advance at SamsClub.com/flushots or walk into the pharmacy when shopping for other items.
Specific immunization offerings include:

• Flu (influenza) – offered at all locations with a pharmacy
• Pneumonia (pneumococcal) – offered at all locations with a pharmacy
• Chickenpox (varicella) – new for 2012
• Shingles (herpes zoster) – new for 2012
• Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis) (Tdap)
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Meningitis (meningococcal)
• Hepatitis A

Walmart Unveils Top Toy List and Gives Parents Confidence to Shop Now for the Toys Kids Want at Everyday Low Prices

Walmart announced today its Top 20 Toy List featuring FURBYS, LeapPads, Novi Stars Dolls and 17 other toys bound to be on kids’ wish lists. Walmart’s Top Toys are available now at Walmart stores in time for the retailer’s layaway program, launching this Sunday. Customers who like their local Walmart store’s Facebook page can begin using layaway today.

If a customer puts a toy on layaway and Walmart rolls back the price later in the season, Walmart will honor the rolled-back price if it is in effect at the time of final payment. Walmart will also match competitor pricing during checkout for layaway products through its ad match policy. Customers will be able to pick up their toys once they complete their layaway payments. Once completed, customers will receive a full refund of the $5 layaway open fee on a Walmart gift card.

“As the largest seller of toys in the U.S., we know what parents are looking for. Whether bikes, dolls or action figures, we’re committed to having the toys kids want on our shelves at prices their parents can afford all season long,” said Anne Marie Kehoe, vice president of toys, Walmart U.S. “We carefully crafted our Top 20 Toys List to provide the right assortment for all kids. Making the list available now gives parents the chance to get toys early and take advantage of layaway with no gimmicks.”

Goodwill® and Walmart Foundation Connect Veterans with Job Success

ROCKVILLE, MD — A new program, funded by the Walmart Foundation and administered by Goodwill®, will empower military veterans with the tools they need to find employment, advance in their careers and ensure long-term financial stability for their families. The Walmart Foundation’s grant of $1 million will support the program, known as Operation: GoodJobs, at Goodwill agencies in the three key markets of Austin, Houston and Tacoma through 2013. Together, Goodwill and the Walmart Foundation will collaborate with a broad array of community partners to help ensure that veterans and their families have every opportunity to succeed.

“Everyone is struggling to find good jobs these days, but veterans face particular challenges and it is our duty as a nation to support these young men and women who are having difficulties transitioning back into civilian life," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We at Goodwill believe it is absolutely imperative that we give each of these veterans every opportunity they need to thrive.”
Operation: GoodJobs assists veterans with job training and placement, but also plans for each participant’s continued success by designing individualized, holistic plans that support the needs of their entire family and helps ensure economic security for participants and their families in the long-term. Each participant in Operation: GoodJobs will receive a complete career assessment and an individualized development plan that will include a range of family needs, from basic needs like nutrition, shelter and child care, to specific job training identified in the assessment process.
“As one of the nation’s largest private employers of veterans and those on active duty, we share Goodwill’s vision of a country where every veteran has a chance to succeed economically and support his or her family,” said retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Gary Profit, senior director of military programs at Walmart. “Making that vision a reality starts today through Operation: GoodJobs. These young men and women stood up for us, and now it’s our turn to stand up for them.”
Veterans return home as proven leaders who have demonstrated their work ethic and commitment to achieving results as part of a team. Operation: GoodJobs will help to provide the necessary career counseling, resume help and skills training, so that veterans can obtain employment positions and in turn, employers can realize their skills and talents and match those skills with available employment opportunities.

Walmart Announces Winners of Popular "Get on the Shelf" Contest

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – May 3, 2012 – Walmart (NYSE: WMT) today announced the final winners of its popular Get on the Shelf contest, HumanKind Water, PlateTopper and SnapIt Eyeglass Repair Kit. More than 4,000 inventors, entrepreneurs and small businesses from across the country entered the contest with video submissions for products ranging from household wares and children’s toys to organic food and green items. Over one million votes were cast by the public to vie for the opportunity to be carried at Walmart.com and in Walmart U.S. stores.

HumanKind Water, a bottled water company that gives 100 percent of its net profits towards clean drinking water for underdeveloped communities worldwide, was the Grand Prize winner. PlateTopper, a kitchen product that transforms dinner plates into airtight food storage containers, came in second. SnapIt Eyeglass Repair Kit, a screw kit to fix glasses in 30 seconds, was the third winner. All three products will be available on Walmart.com and HumanKind Water will also be on physical shelves in select Walmart U.S. stores soon.
“Get on the Shelf has brought out the best in American ingenuity and creativity with products that are clever, fun and useful,” said Joel Anderson, president and CEO of Walmart.com. “The three winners demonstrated a deep passion, incredible imagination, and sheer persistence in their journey. We congratulate them and are proud to carry their products at Walmart.”
HumanKind Water
HumanKind is on a mission to deliver clean filtered water to people in the world who need it the most. HumanKind, based in Philadelphia, reports that more than one billion people – one in seven across the globe– lack access to clean drinking water and half of all hospital beds in the world are filled with people dying from lack of clean water or sanitation. With the digging of wells, installation of filtration and chlorination systems and possible harvesting of rain, HumanKind believes the problem can be eradicated. For them, if every American purchased $10 worth of HumanKind Water a year – less than what most spend on Halloween candy – it could nearly eradicate one of the world’s largest and most tragic physical problems. HumanKind Water will be available soon on Walmart.com. In the meantime customers can sign up for an email alert to notify them when the product is available.
PlateTopper
PlateTopper, based in San Francisco, is the brainchild of Michael Tseng who first developed a prototype for the product in 2005 when he was studying at Princeton University. Michael then went on to complete his graduate studies in biomedical engineering and medicine while working on PlateTopper part-time. In the last year, Michael has spent all of his time perfecting PlateTopper to enable people to quickly and easily store food right on the dinner plate.

SnapIt Eyeglass Repair Kit
SnapIt Eyeglass Repair Kit, out of East Wenatchee, Washington, is a patented screw kit that fixes sunglasses or eyeglasses in 30 seconds. Inventor Nancy Tedeschi created SnapIt when her mother used a dangling earring to hold her broken glasses together. After starting on a path to create eyeglass charms, Nancy wanted an easier way to screw together eyeglasses and reinvented the tiny screws that are hard to grasp. SnapIt’s design employs a feeder tab that guides the screws in place, and can easily be snapped off once the glasses are secured.

Throughout the contest, the winning inventors went the distance to market their participation. Humankind Water transformed its homepage into a “war room” completely dedicated to getting votes. PlateTopper deployed humorous videos and social marketing tactics to raise visibility, including a YouTube video, which has been viewed more than two million times. Nancy of SnapIt even went to the NBC Today Show’s plaza in New York where her assistant dressed as a giant screw and was seen on national television with a sign asking for votes.
Get on the Shelf, a program from @WalmartLabs, launched in January of this year where contestants sent in videos of their latest inventions to be voted on by the public. In the first 24 hours of the contest voting, which began March 7, nearly 95 percent of the participants received a vote via Facebook or text. The top five product categories were home improvement, personalized products, health/wellness/fitness, fashion apparel/home and outdoor home. For more information, visit http://getontheshelf.com.