Press Releases

MARINA, Calif., Nov. 1, 2006 - The new Wal-Mart in Marina will open its doors at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8, bringing economic investment and development into the city of Marina's shopping corridor and one-stop shopping convenience to area residents. The store will hold its grand opening celebration just before the doors open, joined by community leaders sharing what the new store brings to the Marina community, including 275 planned new jobs and an initial $37,500 donated to local charities upon its opening.

"Wal-Mart is a great organization and will be a great addition to our community," said Cecil Potter, president of the Marina Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. "I've met with Wal-Mart management and love their outlook moving forward. The new store brings good job opportunities to Marina residents and vitality to the area, opening at just the right time. It's all a good thing."

Located at 150 Beach Road in the Marina Landing Shopping Center, the new store completely redeveloped the formerly vacant K-Mart store. The exterior of the property was entirely renovated with brick; the outdoor lighting was reconstructed; the columns were repaired with rock fascia; the lot was repaved; and the exterior and entrances were beautified with new landscaping.

Keeping in line with Wal-Mart's strategy to provide products relevant to the needs of its customers, shoppers at the Marina Wal-Mart will find a product mix specifically tailored to meet the needs of their community. According to Store Manager Mark Blome, the 94,445-square-foot Marina Wal-Mart was designed as a convenient one-stop family shopping center with a wide selection of food, including organic products, expansive Asian and Hispanic offerings, as well as gear for the outdoor enthusiast. The outdoor department has everything from a large RV and camping department, to beach equipment for hang-gliding, to boogie boards and a large selection of golf clubs, bags, gloves and balls. The new store features many of the appealing new elements of Wal-Mart stores, including wide aisles, concrete and wood flooring throughout the store and energy-saving skylights. There are 36 departments including expanded infant and family apparel, health and beauty aids, household needs, electronics, toys, fabrics and crafts, lawn and garden supplies, jewelry and shoes.

"Our associates have been working together as a team to get this store ready, helping to make a difference in the community by building a beautiful new store that will attract shoppers from surrounding neighborhoods," said Blome. "We are proud and excited to provide our customers with a one-stop shopping experience of quality, affordable merchandise that this community has long-awaited," added Blome.

Just in time for the holiday and Christmas seasons, the new store will open with Wal-Mart's "Toyland," featuring the hottest toys at the coolest prices. Customers will be able to fill any child's wish list with everything from classic favorites such as Baby Alive, digital and electronic toys, board games to plush toy characters that come to life.
In addition, the store offers a pharmacy, a one-hour photo lab and a Wal-Mart Connect Center for wireless phone sales.

The Marina Wal-Mart will be open to customers from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., seven days a week and will include 17 full-service and four self-service check-out lanes.

Providing Career Opportunities
More than 1,000 applications have already been received for the 275 new associates the store plans to hire by grand opening. More than 260 associates had been hired as of Oct. 31. Including health benefits for full and part-time associates, Wal-Mart offers store discounts, a 401k plan and career opportunities for millions of associates.

In fact, more than 76 percent of Wal-Mart's store managers started as hourly associates, including Blome, who started his Wal-Mart career nearly 15 years ago as a cart pusher at a store in Berryville, Ark. Ten of the Marina store's associates have worked for Wal-Mart for more than 10 years. The average wage for full time hourly associates at Wal-Mart in the state of California is $10.50 per hour.*

$37,500 in Grants to Local Organizations
According to Blome, as part of the new store's commitment to the community, the Marina Wal-Mart will announce $37,500 in donations to local organizations through Wal-Mart's community involvement program. Like all Wal-Mart stores, the Marina Wal-Mart will provide grant dollars throughout the year to help its neighborhood organizations.

One special $8,000 grant will be given to the City of Marina Youth Program, which plans to use the donation to help expedite a multi-phase renovation of its community center. (A complete list of grant recipients is listed on page 3.)

Area organizations interested in learning more about funding from Wal-Mart or interested in raising money at Wal-Mart stores can contact the store for details, or go to www.walmartfoundation.org.

Grand Opening Celebration
The store welcomes the community to attend its Veteran's Day-themed grand opening celebration at 7:30 a.m., Nov. 8. Members of the local Jeff Garcia Band will perform the national anthem, and a prisoner-of-war flag will fly outside the store for the celebration. Pastor Ieremia Aoelua from the First Samoan Christian Congregational Church will conduct the invocation. Mayor Ila Metee-McCutchon along with local dignitaries, including members of the Marina Chamber of Commerce, will assist in cutting the ribbon to the new store. Additional activities planned during the grand opening event include numerous product samples and character appearances from the Coca-Cola Polar Bear.

About Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, more than 176 million customers visit Wal-Mart stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, Sam's Clubs or a subsidiary location in 15 countries around the world. In each of the countries where Wal-Mart operates, the company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally. Wal-Mart is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to these local communities. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmart.com or www.walmartfoundation.org.

As of September 2006, Wal-Mart employed 71,298 associates in the state of California. Including the newest Wal-Mart store in Marina, the company currently owns and operates the following facilities in the state:
* Supercenters: 21
* Discount Stores: 144
* Sam's Clubs: 35
* Distribution Centers: 9

In the fiscal year ending 2006, Wal-Mart collected on behalf of the state of California more than $783.4 million in sales taxes and paid more than $139.7 million in state and local taxes.

EDITOR'S NOTE:
See www.walmartfacts.com for more information about Wal-Mart in California.

FACT SHEET
Marina Wal-Mart Store Fast Facts * Location: 150 Beach Road, Marina, Calif.
* 94,445-square-foot Wal-Mart
* 7:30 a.m. grand opening ceremony, Wednesday, Nov. 8
* Store manager: Mark Blome

Store Features
* Wal-Mart stores are the flagship retail division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
* 36 departments including family apparel, health and beauty aids, household needs, electronics, toys, fabrics and crafts, lawn and garden supplies, jewelry and shoes
* Other special features: a pharmacy, a one-hour photo lab and a Wal-Mart Connect Center
* Open 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., seven days a week
* 17 full-service, four self check-out lanes

Employment
* 275 planned new jobs; more than 1,000 applicants
* The average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates in California is $10.50 per hour.*
* Blome started his Wal-Mart career nearly 15 years ago as a cart pusher at a store in Berryville, Ark.
* Wal-Mart benefits - available to full- and part-time associates - include healthcare insurance with no lifetime maximum. Wal-Mart also offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing contributions, whether an associate contributes or not, store discount cards, performance-based bonuses, discounted stock purchase program and life insurance.
* Average wage taken December 2005. See www.walmartfacts.com for details.

Charitable Giving
* $37,500 in charitable contributions to several area organizations

o City of Marina Parks and Recreation
o City of Marina Public Safety Department - Fire Division
o City of Marina Public Safety Department - Police Division
o City of Marina Youth Program
o Crumpton Elementary School
o Marina Del Mar Elementary School
o Marina High School
o Marina Rotary Foundation
o Marina Soccer Association
o Marina Vista Elementary School
o Monterey School District - Gladys Stone Head Start

Editor's Notes
* An invitation-only open house for VIPs, Wal-Mart associates and their families is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 6, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Preview tours will be provided. Checks will be presented to representatives of the community organizations this evening. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
* Mark Blome, store manager, can provide details about the grand opening, offer quotes for interviews and arrange for photo opportunities or preview tours. He can be contacted at (831) 883-9138.
* Average wage taken yearly (December 2005). See www.walmartfacts.com for more details.

For More Information
* For media interviews and store visits: Kristina Wyatt, (831) 372-2259 (Armanasco PR) Note: Statements and quotes on behalf of Wal-Mart should not be obtained from or attributed to media agency employees.
* Media contacts: Melissa O'Brien (Wal-Mart homeoffice), (800) 331-0085; Joanna King, (847) 267-0688, joanna.king@comcast.net
* Wal-Mart information online: www.walmartfacts.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com

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