Press Releases

MARINA, CALIF. - August 21, 2006 - Wal-Mart has hired store management staff for its new Marina location and will soon open a hiring office anticipating the store opening in time for the holiday shopping season. Mark Blome, the new store manager, has moved from Wal-Mart's Mountain View location and eagerly anticipates becoming active in the local community. Joining Blome, will be John Martinez, a Central Coast native and Marina Wal-Mart's first assistant manager. Martinez will also be an integral component in the hiring and training of an anticipated 275 employees.

"I'm looking forward to the honor of managing the Marina Wal-Mart store and be coming an active member of the local business community," said Blome.

Wal-Mart has been giving back to the Marina community since signing their lease in March. The International Festival of the Winds and a pathway project linking the shopping center to Marina's new library are two of the ways Wal-Mart has already committed itself to being a responsible local business. According to Kevin Loscotoff, Wal-Mart spokesperson, "At Wal-Mart, we believe in a philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally. We know we can make the greatest impact on communities by supporting causes that are important to our customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods."

Wal-Mart is confident that they are a good fit for the Marina community, a sentiment reinforced by an overwhelming response to a survey mailed to residents. 1,319 respondents noted that they were supportive of the store and the opportunities it presents. Sean Jackson, Wal-Mart's local market manager, has met with the Marina Economic & Community Development department and local business leaders to ensure that their questions are answered and concerns addressed.

Wal-Mart leased the former Kmart building in the Marina Landing Shopping Center in February and anticipates their new store to open in the first week of November. Wal-Mart's Hire Site is located at 265 Reservation Road (behind McDonalds) and will be open for applicants, inquiries and interviews beginning Monday, August 21st at 7:00am. The Marina Wal-Mart Hire Site will be open weekdays from 7:00am through 5:00pm through September.

The new Marina Wal-Mart is located at 150 Beach Road at the corner of Reservation and Beach in Marina. For more information please call (831) 384-7242. For more facts and information about Wal-Mart, please visit www.walmartfacts.com.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. operates Wal-Mart discount stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the United States. The company has operations in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company's securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and NYSE Arca, formerly the Pacific Stock Exchange, under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartfacts.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.