OREANDA-NEWS. August 15, 2012. A new Walmart opens this month in Novi, bringing 300 new jobs, savings for local shoppers and an increase in tax revenue to support the area’s economy. Nonprofit organizations will also benefit from the retailer’s ongoing charitable contributions and support for community projects. The Walmart, located at 26090 Ingersol Drive in the Novi Towne Center, will open to customers at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15.

Economic Impact Includes 300 New Jobs

The new Novi Walmart will employ approximately 300 associates, according to store manager Aaron Quimby. Quimby is a Michigan native who began his Walmart career in 2000 as an hourly sales associate as an unloader at a store in Coldwater.

Store Designed to Improve Customer Experience

In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh its stores, merchandising and customer experience. The improvements have all come together in the company’s newest stores, such as the Novi Walmart, with fast service, a friendly shopping experience and clean stores.

The new Walmart features enhanced service and a layout designed to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers. Walmart aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently. The pharmacy, for example, is adjacent to food making it easier for customers to pick up their prescriptions while shopping for their groceries.

“The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities,” said Quimby. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase, including health and beauty and pet supplies, we are making one-stop shopping even easier.”

A bright interior color palette creates an inviting shopping experience and helps define the store’s merchandise areas. Lower shelving creates an improved sightline, and directional signage on every aisle helps customers find what they are looking for quickly. Walmart also combined the customer service desk and Site-to-Store pick-up location in one area near the front of the store. Customers now have easy access to these services, as well as associates on hand to help meet their needs.

Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants

As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which it operates, USD 17,000 in grants from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation will be presented to community organizations. Recipients include the Novi Police and Fire Benevolent Funds, Novi Education Foundation, Novi Athletic Boosters, Food Bank of Novi, Farmington YMCA, Novi Rotary Club, Novi Farmers Market, Novi Summer Sizzling Festival and the Novi Youth Assistance Program.

Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features

The Novi Walmart, like all new Walmart stores, includes energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store’s skylights harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily. LED lighting in the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting.

The cement used in the concrete flooring is made with recycled materials, and the floor’s finish reduces the need for chemical cleaners. Low-flow toilets and faucets reduce the water used in the bathrooms. The new store also operates a recycling program that includes organic composting and will promote sustainable product purchases.

Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 7:30 a.m., Aug. 15

Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 15, for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Novi Police and Fire departments will present the colors. Novi Mayor Bob Gatt and Novi City Manager Clay Pearson, along with other members of the City Council, will cut the ribbon to the new store.