Contacts: Lisa B. Nelson, for Walmart
800-331-0085
Susie Falk, for Walmart
414-232-2562
Monroe and Dodgeville ceremonies planned for first stores opened in 1985
MONROE, Wis., (July 15, 2010) — A household word arrived in Wisconsin 25 years ago tomorrow, and its presence here has changed the way millions of state residents live and shop.
On July 15, 1985, Walmart Stores opened a 68,000 sq. ft. store in Monroe, the company’s first in Wisconsin. Two months later, its second store, measuring 40,000 sq. ft., opened in Dodgeville.
Since then, the company has opened 81 additional stores throughout the state, as well as 12 Sam’s Clubs and three distribution centers in Beaver Dam, Menomonie and Tomah. Today, with 28,943 associates in the state, the company has emerged as Wisconsin’s largest private employer.
Ceremonies will be conducted today in Monroe and Dodgeville, marking Walmart’s 25th anniversary in Wisconsin. Along with the festivities in their first Wisconsin communities, the company will give special recognition to 16 of its associates in Monroe and 9 in Dodgeville, who were there to greet the company’s first Wisconsin customers and remain with the company today.
“This group of our first associates in Wisconsin makes a powerful statement of the quality of our people, the quality of our company and the work ethic in the state. It has been and will continue to be a winning combination,” said Lisa B. Nelson, Walmart’s senior manager of public affairs.
Also adding to Walmart’s impact on the state’s employment and overall economy are its business relationships with 1,314 Wisconsin suppliers. This includes lengthy relationships with some the state’s largest corporations as well as local growers providing homegrown produce.
According to figures provided by Dun & Bradstreet, during the fiscal year ending 2010, Walmart spent more than $4.1 billion for merchandise and services with these suppliers, in the process, supporting 86,581 supplier jobs.
After opening the stores in Monroe and Dodgeville, Walmart grew to include seven stores and three Sam’s Clubs by the end of its 1991 fiscal year (Jan. 31, 1991).The state’s first Sam’s Club opened in Madison in February, 1988.
Rapid growth continued throughout the 1990s. By Jan. 31, 2001, Walmart had opened 60 stores and 11 Sam’s Clubs in the state. This included the opening of the state’s first Supercenter in Beloit, in July 1997. The store combined a full service discount store with a full grocery service center. The concept proved popular for shopper economy and convenience. Walmart currently operates 61 stores in Wisconsin featuring this design concept. Although sizes and amenities differ, national averages for these stores are 185,000 sq. ft. filled with 142,000 items.
At its three distribution centers in Tomah, Menomonie and Beaver Dam, Walmart provides timely deliveries to stores throughout Wisconsin and neighboring states. The 875,000 sq. ft. distribution center in Tomah was opened in 2000 and employs approximately 850 associates. The facility in Menomonie, opened in 1993 employs 1034 associates, and the center in Beaver Dam opened in 2007 and employs 609 associates. Overall, Walmart’s distribution centers have served as a cornerstone of the company’s success, facilitating the ability to move product from place to place efficiently.
Nelson said each of the company’s Wisconsin stores and distribution centers share Walmart’s corporate commitment to community involvement and support of local events, organizations, schools, fire and police departments. This is put into practice through cash and in-kind donations, volunteerism and the Walmart State Giving Program.
Through the latter, a team of Wisconsin associates meet semi-annually to determine grants from the Walmart Foundation for state not-for-profit organizations. One such grant, for $50,000 will be presented July 15 to Operation Homefront to provide financial and other assistance to families of service men and women. During the presentation at the Dane County Military Appreciation Day at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Walmart will announce its sponsorship of the Aug. 15 Military Appreciation Day at the Wisconsin State Fair.
In 2009 Walmart stores, Sam’s Club locations and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $10.5 million in cash and in-kind donations to local organizations in Wisconsin communities. Through additional funds donated by customers, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates throughout the state, the retailer’s contributions in Wisconsin totaled more than $12 million.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or “Walmart,” serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,000 retail units under 53 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2009 sales of $401 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.1 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine’s 2009 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.
