Walmart Canada opened its new Fergus Walmart Supercentre located at 801 St. David Street North on Nov.16.
“We are extremely excited to be opening a new store in Fergus,” said store manager Steve Vial.
“We are so proud of our new supercentre. We have worked hard to ensure that all of our customers will enjoy the store, including our vast assortment of merchandise and our low prices.”
The Fergus Walmart Supercentre is one of 73 projects planned for the company's current fiscal year, which will add 4.6 million square feet of retail space to its operations by January 31, 2013. The 73 projects include building new stores and expanding, remodelling or relocating existing stores and represent an investment of more than $750 million in Canadian communities. Included in these projects are 39 former Zellers stores. The 73 projects are expected to generate more than 14,000 store, trade and construction jobs.
One-stop shopping
The 96,000 square foot supercentre will offer a full line of groceries including a bakery, a deli, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, electronics, home décor and apparel, creating a one-stop shopping destination dedicated to everyday low prices. Convenience services include a pharmacy, photo centre, medical clinic, connection centre for wireless services, Regal Nails nail salon, McCafe, and Western Union.
Customers will appreciate the store's design, which includes easy-to-navigate aisles with directional signage, and a bright interior colour palette, which help define the store's merchandise areas, and lower shelving throughout for an improved sightline.
New jobs
The Fergus Walmart store employs 165 associates. To fill these positions, Walmart received 1,500 applications for roles such as cashiers, sales associates, and other hourly positions.
Commitment to sustainability
Walmart continues to show its responsibility to energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental sustainability. The store features LED exterior signs, waste diversion streams including paper and plastic and sells environmentally-preferable products.
Community involvement
As part of Walmart's mission to helping Canadian families in need, more than $5,000 in donations will be presented to community organizations. The store will build on these donations with additional charitable and community support and fundraising throughout the year.
Block party
Grand opening festivities will continue on Saturday. The store will be hosting its Grand Opening Block Party from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Customers can enjoy live music, refreshments and samples.
New store manager
Steve Vial is excited to lead the Fergus Walmart team as the new store manager. Vial has worked in retail for 26 years. He is eager to begin working with local community groups.
By the numbers
The Fergus Centre Store:
165 associates
1,500 applications received
96,000 square feet of retail space
About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada was established in 1994 with the acquisition of the Woolco chain. Over the past 18 years, Walmart Canada has more than doubled the number of stores in Canada and more than tripled the number of associates, creating a strong, stable retail chain which offers career opportunities.
Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of discount stores and supercentres with 371 locations nationwide serving more than one million customers each day. With 90,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and is recognized by Waterstone Human Capital as having one of Canada's top 10 corporate cultures. Walmart Canada is focused on helping Canadian families in need. Since 1994, Walmart has donated and raised more than $160 million to Canadian charities and not-for-profit organizations.
