Journal Star (Peoria, Illinois)

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News

August 25, 2009 Tuesday

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL NEWS

20090825-PE-Wal-Mart-unveiling-new-design-0825

417 words

Wal-Mart unveiling new design

Journal Star, Peoria, Ill.

Aug. 25--PEORIA -- Wal-Mart will unveil its new store design when it has a grand reopening of its superstore at 8915 N. Allen Road on Wednesday.

The ceremony will be at 7:30 a.m., after which shoppers will get "a glimpse of the company's next generation of store design and customer experience," the company said in a news release.

The three-month remodeling project will result in a new store layout, wider aisles, low-profile shelving, bright interior paint scheme, enhanced lights and easy-to-read signs "to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers than ever before," the company said.

The remodeled Peoria store features a more open shopping environment with wider aisles that contain no product displays. Wal-Mart also aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently, making it quicker to purchase everyday items, including grouping the pet supplies as well as the pharmacy near the grocery department in the middle of the store, the release said.

"The new layout is easier to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for necessities," said store manager Jeff Wallace.

Wal-Mart also has combined the Site-to-Store pickup location and photo lab in one area near the back of the store. Customers now have ready access to these services as well as associates who can provide assistance as needed.

Other features of the remodeling include an expanded bakery department, a wider selection of fresh produce, expanded electronics department with more hands-on experience for customers, with interactive displays for hi-definition Blu-ray, video gaming and portable electronics.

A new department called Celebration Station has been added, featuring party supplies, greeting cards, balloons and helium tanks, cake supplies and gift wrap.

During the grand reopening event, store associates will present $7,000 in grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation to local service organizations, including $1,500 to the Peoria Friendship House and $1,000 each to the Center for Preventional Abuse, Dunlap High School Band, Junior Achievement, PARC and the Peoria Glen Oak Zoo.

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August 25, 2009