Walmart Launches Free Layaway

 In front of 6,000 Walmart associates at Walmart’s annual holiday meeting Wednesday, chief merchandising and marketing officer Duncan Mac Naughton introduced free layaway with no opening fee. Beginning Sept. 13 through Dec. 13, layaway will kick off the retailer’s official start to the holiday season.

“Times are tough and it’s not easy for many Americans – they are watching every penny,” said Mac Naughton. “All year long, but especially during the holidays, our customers need a low price leader. This year, we are committed to doing everything we did last year to help Americans save money – plus more. More savings, more layaway items and our commitment that they can give their families a great Christmas on a budget.”

Walmart’s free layaway means no opening fees, no gift-card reimbursements, just free. Eligible layaway items include electronics, toys, jewelry, small appliances and select sporting goods. And new in 2013 are infant toys and automotive electronics such as speakers and stereos.

Walmart’s layaway will once again help customers purchase the newest electronics from the brands they know and love like Apple, Google, Samsung, Sony and more. A few of the top electronics the retailer expects to be popular layaway gifts include:

1. Tablets such as the iPad, iPad Mini, Samsung Galaxy and Google Nexus
2. Smartphones like the iPhone 5 or Samsung Galaxy 3 (prepaid only)
3. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles and new releases
4. Big screen (60”+) smart TVs

Walmart also expects toys to be popular for layaway, including:

• Furby Boom
• Barbie Dream House
• Big Hugs Elmo
• Zoomer, a robotic dog
• Bikes and ride-on vehicles
• Children’s tablets and learning toys such as LeapFrog

Using layaway at Walmart is simple. Customers can start a layaway account in any Walmart Supercenter or Walmart store (not including Neighborhood Markets) by visiting the Walmart.com Services Desk. Once a layaway account is opened, customers can make payments at any register in that store between Sept. 13 and Dec. 13, 2013. Walmart will also send payment reminders and status updates to customers via email.

In addition, for added convenience in purchasing select large items, including ride-on vehicles, basketball goals and trampolines, Walmart is introducing new “tear pad” slips that customers can bring to the Walmart.com Services Desk – alleviating the need to carry select bulky items to the counter.

Walmart Ready to Reveal Expanded Store to Northborough Shoppers

Expansion provides approximately 80 additional jobs, plus savings on wider selection of merchandise

• Store located at 200 Otis St.
• Approximately 50,000 additional square feet
• Northborough Walmart creates approximately 80 additional jobs

The expansion adds approximately 50,000 square feet to the existing store and will allow for a larger selection of merchandise for customers. New departments include deli, bakery, produce, meat, frozen foods, dairy and full dry grocery.

"I believe this is a great partnership between the Town of Northborough and Walmart. The expansion of Walmart provides business growth and opportunities that are always a plus in this economy," said Selectman Bill Panatazis. "Residents of Northborough and nearby communities can now take advantage of one-stop shopping when it comes to their groceries and household items."

One-Stop Shopping Convenience

The store features quality, value-priced general merchandise, including apparel, electronics, toys, sporting goods, and lawn and garden items. It also offers a full line of groceries, including organic and natural selections in addition to local favorites. Some local products available include Wrights Farm and local bakery products.

The pharmacy offers a full range of products and services. Pharmacy team members can answer product and prescription questions and offer health and wellness solutions.

Community Giving

The grand-opening celebration also includes presentations of $8,000 in grants from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation to local community groups. Grant recipients include Massachusetts Special Olympics, Straight Ahead Ministries and Olivia's Ride.

More Store, More Jobs

The store employs approximately 200 full- and part-time associates, including approximately 80 positions created by the expansion. Store manager Joe Salvador began his Walmart career in 2000 as a part-time lawn and garden associate.

"Our expanded Supercenter format will bring a wider selection of merchandise, including fresh foods and grocery under one roof at Walmart's everyday low prices, which will help our customers save money so they can live better," said Salvador. "Our new store layout allows for fast and friendly service throughout the store. These improvements to the shopping experience come as we increase the number of full- and part-time jobs and provide career opportunities for our current associates."

Walmart Foundation Contributes 53-foot Semitrailer Truck to Community Harvest Food Bank

Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana can now move four times the amount of fresh produce and other food to families in need, thanks to a $75,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation. The grant allowed Community Harvest Food Bank to buy a 53-foot refrigerated semitrailer and tractor.

"We are so grateful to the Walmart Foundation because this one truck will help us collect and deliver food far more efficiently," Executive Director Jane Avery said. "Our old box truck could handle only 12 pallets of food, but the new refrigerated truck has the capacity to move 53 pallets."

In the past, Avery said, the food bank would get an offer for fresh produce such as lettuce, carrots, peaches or tomatoes. Because they didn't have a way to safely transport perishables, the offer would have to be turned down. "Sometimes we could hire an outside vendor, but that gets expensive, too." She pointed out it cost the food bank more than $500 to accept a delivery of donated milk from Indianapolis earlier this year.

"Walmart understands how improving logistics means helping more people. We bring millions of products to store shelves every year with one of the most efficient logistics systems in the world," said John Wolf, Walmart market manager and former Community Harvest Food Bank president. "We are honored to see the Walmart Foundation present this grant to the Community Harvest Food Bank and know it will help families who really need assistance."

In 2010, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation launched "Fighting Hunger Together" – a $2 billion cash and in-kind commitment through 2015 to fight hunger in America. This initiative leverages Walmart's size and resources to provide nutritious food and the Walmart Foundation's ability to grant funding to nonprofits that help elevate the issue. In 2012, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation became the first partners of Feeding America to surpass 1 billion meals donated.

A 2010 study conducted by Feeding America shows how people in Indiana have to make difficult eating decisions:

• 46 percent of clients in Indiana report having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel.
• 42 percent had to choose between paying for food and paying their rent or mortgage.
• 36 percent had to choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care.
• 37 percent had to choose between paying for food and paying for transportation,
• 39 percent had to choose between paying for food and paying for gas for a car.

The Walmart Foundation supports organizations creating opportunities so people can live better. The Walmart Foundation State Giving Program works to award grants that have a long-lasting, positive affect on communities across the U.S. Indiana grant decisions are made by Hoosier associates.