The FINANCIAL -- Walmart opens a new store in Houston this month, bringing savings and convenience closer for residents and businesses in the northwest quadrant of the city,according to Walmart.

Located at 13003 Tomball Parkway, at the intersection of Highway 249 and Smiling Wood Lane, the store brings 300 new jobs, savings on a full line of groceries 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. Local dignitaries will join store manager Angela Mann and store associates to celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 25.

The 152,000-square foot store features a full line of groceries, as well as a bakery, a deli, a frozen food section, and meat, dairy and fresh produce sections. Time-saving services and an expansive merchandise selection add to its one-stop shopping convenience. Wide aisles, bright interior paint scheme, enhanced lighting and easy-to-read signage make the shopping experience more convenient for customers.The Smiling Wood store plans to employ approximately 300 associates.

Several associates have transferred to the new store from existing Walmart locations and have worked for the company for more than 10 years.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 Smiling Wood Walmart, with fast service, a friendly shopping experience and clean stores.

The new Walmart features enhanced services and a layout designed to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers. Walmart aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently.Walmart also combined the Site-to-Store pick-up location and photo lab in one area near the entrance. Customers now have easy access to these services, as well as associates on hand to help meet their needs.

The new Smiling Wood 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 flooring throughout the store reduces the need for chemical cleaners. Low-flow toilets and no-touch faucets reduce the water used in the bathrooms. The new store also operates a recycling program and will promote sustainable product purchases.The grand-opening celebration for the Smiling Wood Houston store is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 25. Community and businesses leaders will join store associates for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Veterans of Foreign Wars District 4 Post 581 will raise the flag to begin the ceremony.

Walmart associate Makeda Guinn will perform the national anthem.During the ceremony, store associates will present $12,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to local organizations, including Epps Island Elementary School, Houston Food Bank, the Houston Police Department and the Houston Fire Department.

Related Stories

• Heinz Raises Annualized Common Stock Dividend by 14 Cents to $2.06 Per Common Share
• Deutsche Post DHL announces mid-term Group targets
• New ISO publications to improve inspection and audit reports