Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Humana Walmart-Preferred RX Plan (PDP)

Humana and Walmart Announce Innovative Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan with Lowest National Monthly Premium Offered in all 50 States and D.C.

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced an innovative Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, co-branded with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) or (“Walmart”), that can provide significant savings on monthly plan premiums and prescription medicine copayments and cost-shares for Medicare beneficiaries, including seniors and people with disabilities.

How to Enroll in the Plan: Call, Click or Go

Information on the plan is available starting today; annual enrollment for Medicare plans begins Monday, Nov. 15, 2010, and continues through Dec. 31, 2010. To get more information on the Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan (PDP) and to learn more about these savings:

* Call Humana to enroll at 1-800-899-0441. For TTY, call 711, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
* Click on humana-medicare.com or medicare.gov to enroll.
* Click on walmart.com/rxplan or samsclub.com/rxplan for additional plan details and links to enroll.
* Visit a Walmart store to speak to a Humana representative.
* Informational kiosks, including many staffed by Humana representatives, are available in approximately 3,000 Walmart stores across the country. Medicare beneficiaries can click on “Find a Location Near You” at walmart.com/rxplan to locate an on-site Humana representative.

Walmart to Webcast Annual Meeting of Shareholders' and Management Update for the Investment Community

WalMart Stores, will webcast its Annual Meeting of Shareholders' Friday, June 3, 2011, as well as its question and answer session with executive management for the investment community.

The shareholders meeting, including pre-meeting activities, will begin at 7:00 a.m. CDT and will conclude at approximately 11:00 a.m. CDT. The executive briefings to analysts and investors, and the question and answer session will begin at 1:15 p.m. CDT and will conclude at approximately 3:30 p.m. CDT. The line-up of executives will be:

* Mike Duke, president and chief executive officer, WalMart Stores, Inc.
* Charles Holley, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Walmart Stores Inc.
* Bill Simon, president and chief executive officer, Walmart U.S.
* Doug McMillon, president and chief executive officer, Walmart International
* Brian Cornell, president and chief executive officer, Sam's Club
* Eduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman, responsible for Global e Commerce and Global Sourcing

The briefings to analysts and investors web cast will be archived on the company's website for one year.

Walmart Global eCommerce Announces Investment in Yihaodian, a Fast-Growing eCommerce Business in China

WalMart Stores, announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire a minority stake in the holding company of Yihaodian, a fast-growing eCommerce company in China. The transaction is expected to close within 60 days.

Launched in July 2008, Yihaodian offers more than 75,000 SKUs and has achieved a significant position in online grocery sales, as well as in categories such as baby/Mom, consumer electronics and apparel. With 2,000 employees and an existing logistics network based in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, Yihaodian is serving a growing customer base with next-day delivery of essential daily items at competitive prices.

Eduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and CEO of Walmart Global eCommerce and Global Sourcing, said, “We are excited about this investment. Online sales in China are growing rapidly and are projected to match U.S. online sales in the next few years. By investing in Yihaodian, we’re continuing to establish a presence in this important eCommerce market, and are moving forward on fulfilling our aspiration of being the leading global multichannel retailer.”

Wan Ling Martello, executive vice president, Global eCommerce, Emerging Markets, said “We are very impressed with Yihaodian’s strong management team, solid competence in distribution and outstanding service to their customers. We have been equally impressed by the fact that their values are consistent with ours. We very much look forward to working closely with them going forward.”

Gang Yu, co-founder chairman of Yihaodian, said, “We are very excited about Walmart’s investment in Yihaodian. Walmart brings its global vision into our business. In addition, its supply chain excellence will help us gain a competitive edge in the eCommerce industry in China.”

Junling Liu, co-founder and CEO of Yihaodian, said, “We are thrilled that Walmart has chosen to invest in Yihaodian. Walmart brings tremendous knowhow and best practices in retail that will help us to better serve our customers in China. We are well on our way to creating a modern lifestyle for our customers. ”

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Consumers Vote Walmart Gift Cards "Most Wanted" This Christmas

Retailer Extends Cut-Off Dates for Free Shipping to Home and “Site to Store” Last Minute Gifts Available Online for In-Store Pick Up

Dec. 20, 2010 – Walmart announces it’s not too late to save on great last-minute gifts, including most-desired gift cards. According to a recent poll1, Walmart ranks as the number one preferred Gift Card consumers would like to see in their stockings this year. In addition, a recent survey of a panel of Walmart Moms2 found that approximately 77 percent still have gifts left to purchase this holiday season.

To help families give the perfect gift that never expires, Walmart offers a wide range of festive Gift Card3 designs available in stores that can be used at all Walmart stores or online at Walmart.com. Walmart also offers e-Gift Cards4 at Walmart.com which can be sent anytime – even Christmas Day – and used for online purchases.

Free Shipping Still Available at Walmart.com
Walmart.com will offer free shipping to home5 on nearly 60,000 items, including all electronics*, with no minimum purchase through 11:30 p.m. PST tonight. The retailer has also extended the order cut-off date for its popular “Site to Store” service from Dec. 17 last year to Dec. 20 this holiday season. “Site to Store” enables customers to choose from thousands of eligible items on Walmart.com and enjoy free shipping to a local Walmart store in time for Christmas. With Walmart.com’s “Pick Up Today” program, online orders can be placed up until 6:00 p.m. PST on Dec. 23 with free same-day pickup at select local Walmart stores. The new test began in October and customer response has quickly grown with the volume of orders more than quadrupling since Nov. 1. Walmart’s cut-off dates and times for gifts to arrive in time for Christmas this holiday include:

* Free Shipping to home: 12/20 11:30 p.m. PST
* Site to Store: 12/20 11:30 p.m. PST
* Ground & 97-cent: 12/20 11:30 p.m. PST
* Expedited: 12/22 11:30 p.m. PST
* Pick Up Today**: 12/23 6:00 p.m. PST

Last Minute Deals and Gift Card Bundles
Walmart is offering special bonus Gift Cards6 with the purchase of some of the hottest gifts this season, including:

* $20 Walmart Gift Card with purchase of Nintendo DSi, $149
* $50 iTunes Gift Card with purchase of 8GB iPod touch, $225
* $50 Walmart Gift Card with purchase of iPhone 3GS 8GB, $97 with two-year agreement
* $50 Walmart Gift Card with purchase of iPhone 4 16GB, $197 with two-year agreement
* New for this year, Facebook Credit Gift Cards7 - $5, $10, $15 denominations when purchased at Walmart Stores; $10 and $25 denominations when purchased online at Walmart.com

Facebook Gift Cards can be used to buy virtual goods in over 200 social games on Facebook, including EA’s FIFA Superstars, Zynga’s FrontierVille, CrowdStar’s Hello City and Playdom’s Social City, among others.

* Excludes iPods and iPads

** Available in select markets.

Consumers Vote Walmart Gift Cards "Most Wanted" This Christmas

Retailer Extends Cut-Off Dates for Free Shipping to Home and “Site to Store” Last Minute Gifts Available Online for In-Store Pick Up

Dec. 20, 2010 – Walmart announces it’s not too late to save on great last-minute gifts, including most-desired gift cards. According to a recent poll1, Walmart ranks as the number one preferred Gift Card consumers would like to see in their stockings this year. In addition, a recent survey of a panel of Walmart Moms2 found that approximately 77 percent still have gifts left to purchase this holiday season.

To help families give the perfect gift that never expires, Walmart offers a wide range of festive Gift Card3 designs available in stores that can be used at all Walmart stores or online at Walmart.com. Walmart also offers e-Gift Cards4 at Walmart.com which can be sent anytime – even Christmas Day – and used for online purchases.

Free Shipping Still Available at Walmart.com
Walmart.com will offer free shipping to home5 on nearly 60,000 items, including all electronics*, with no minimum purchase through 11:30 p.m. PST tonight. The retailer has also extended the order cut-off date for its popular “Site to Store” service from Dec. 17 last year to Dec. 20 this holiday season. “Site to Store” enables customers to choose from thousands of eligible items on Walmart.com and enjoy free shipping to a local Walmart store in time for Christmas. With Walmart.com’s “Pick Up Today” program, online orders can be placed up until 6:00 p.m. PST on Dec. 23 with free same-day pickup at select local Walmart stores. The new test began in October and customer response has quickly grown with the volume of orders more than quadrupling since Nov. 1. Walmart’s cut-off dates and times for gifts to arrive in time for Christmas this holiday include:

* Free Shipping to home: 12/20 11:30 p.m. PST
* Site to Store: 12/20 11:30 p.m. PST
* Ground & 97-cent: 12/20 11:30 p.m. PST
* Expedited: 12/22 11:30 p.m. PST
* Pick Up Today**: 12/23 6:00 p.m. PST

Last Minute Deals and Gift Card Bundles
Walmart is offering special bonus Gift Cards6 with the purchase of some of the hottest gifts this season, including:

* $20 Walmart Gift Card with purchase of Nintendo DSi, $149
* $50 iTunes Gift Card with purchase of 8GB iPod touch, $225
* $50 Walmart Gift Card with purchase of iPhone 3GS 8GB, $97 with two-year agreement
* $50 Walmart Gift Card with purchase of iPhone 4 16GB, $197 with two-year agreement
* New for this year, Facebook Credit Gift Cards7 - $5, $10, $15 denominations when purchased at Walmart Stores; $10 and $25 denominations when purchased online at Walmart.com

Facebook Gift Cards can be used to buy virtual goods in over 200 social games on Facebook, including EA’s FIFA Superstars, Zynga’s FrontierVille, CrowdStar’s Hello City and Playdom’s Social City, among others.

* Excludes iPods and iPads

** Available in select markets.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Plastic Bottles to Pet Beds

Walmart has teamed up with pet supplier Worldwise, Inc. to launch an innovative new program to bring the latest generation of environmentally responsible products to consumers nationwide. Under this partnership, Walmart will provide Worldwise with recyclable waste materials that will be turned into a variety of pet products for sale at Walmart including:

* Plastic bottles are being recycled into dog beds
* Hangers are being turned into cat litter pans, scoops, and scratchers
* Bags are being converted into cat littler liners
* Corrugated cardboard is being processed into cat scratchers

Secretary Napolitano Announces Expansion of "If You See Something, Say Something" Campaign to Walmart Stores Across the Nation

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the expansion of the Department's national "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign to hundreds of Walmart stores across the country - launching a new partnership between DHS and Walmart to help the American public play an active role in ensuring the safety and security of our nation.

"Homeland security starts with hometown security, and each of us plays a critical role in keeping our country and communities safe," said Secretary Napolitano. "I applaud Walmart for joining the ‘If You See Something, Say Something' campaign. This partnership will help millions of shoppers across the nation identify and report indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats to law enforcement authorities."

The "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign—originally implemented by New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority and funded, in part, by $13 million from DHS' Transit Security Grant Program—is a simple and effective program to engage the public and key frontline employees to identify and report indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats to the proper transportation and law enforcement authorities.

More than 230 Walmart stores nationwide launched the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign today, with a total of 588 Walmart stores in 27 states joining in the coming weeks. A short video message will play at select checkout locations to remind shoppers to contact local law enforcement to report suspicious activity.

Over the past five months, DHS has worked with its federal, state, local and private sector partners, as well as the Department of Justice, to expand the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign and Nationwide SAR Initiative to communities throughout the country—including the recent state-wide expansions of the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign across Minnesota and New Jersey. Partners include the Mall of America, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Amtrak, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, sports and general aviation industries, and state and local fusion centers across the country.

In the coming months, the Department will continue to expand the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign nationally with public education materials and outreach tools designed to help America's businesses, communities and citizens remain vigilant and play an active role in keeping the country safe.