A new Walmart food-only market is now open in Montgomery at the former Bonnie Crest Country Club property on Federal Drive. Most of the stores that are closing are small grocery-type stores, what Walmart calls neighborhood markets or Walmart express stores. DirectHealth.com has been in Wal-Mart stores since December 7.
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“It is more important now than ever to review our portfolio and close the stores and clubs that should be closed”, Wal-Mart’s Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon said in a statement on the company’s website. “We want the residents of Murfreesboro to know they can count on us to carry the everyday products they need at our everyday low prices”. In October, the company announced that profit this year would be down as much as 12 per cent. The outlook contributed to a share decline of 29 per cent during the past 12 months. In at least two towns, Godley and Italy, residents aren’t just losing their only Walmart, but also their only grocery store and pharmacy. If your local Wal-Mart is a bad place to shop, I can promise you that the store manager is no good.
Current employees at closing stores will move to the front of the line if they choose to apply at another Walmart location that has an opening, but no position is guaranteed.
“Our team has worked hard to prepare this store”, said store manager Bruce DiMarco.
The company also said it is sticking with its plans to open almost as many stores over the coming year as it is closing now, although not necessarily near the locations it is leaving.
In total, 10,000 US associates will be impacted by the closures.
In Wichita, the Wal-Mart that opened four years ago became a community hub in a shopping plaza that previously had been a haven for prostitution and gang shootings, said Pastor Kevass Harding, whose Dellrose United Methodist Church is right by the store.
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It seems Walmart has a lot to work on when consumers are urging the company to revamp its internal operations and design.
