Club focuses on value, community and sustainability

NEWINGTON, Conn., June 19, 2009 – An expanded selection of everyday essentials and new services awaits Hartford area residents when the newly relocated Newington Sam’s Club officially celebrates its grand opening at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 23. Members will find exceptional values on fresh foods, delicious meal solutions, $4 generic prescriptions as well as office supplies. Conveniently located at 3465 Berlin Turnpike, the Newington Sam’s Club now offers Business, Advantage and Collegiate Sam’s Club Members new ways to save time and money in today’s economy all in one stop. The Club manager along with community leaders and local dignitaries will celebrate its official grand re-opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 23 and announce $15,000 in community support.

Newington Mayor Jeff Wright says he is pleased to welcome Sam's Club to the community. "Newington is a wonderful town for businesses and Sam's Club has made a significant investment in Newington, which includes a pharmacy and a fuel station. The Sam’s Club investment will benefit residents by offering great values, which is especially important in these challenging economic times." added Mayor Wright.

Expanded Club Designed to Improve Customer Experience
The Berlin Sam’s Club began serving its customers when it opened in 1990. Manager Kevin Lawrence says the Club layout was redesigned to specifically meet the needs of the local community, including a fuel station, a new interactive photo lab, an expanded wine and liquor department, a café offering pizza, wrap sandwiches and ice cream, as well as a new pharmacy offering members access to $4 and $10 generic prescriptions and a dedicated staff to offer personal assistance with heath care needs. In keeping with the Sam’s Club commitment to the environment, the new Club was constructed with energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. And to help members with their purchases, the Club has added a covered drive-up loading area at the front entrance.

“We added 25,600 square feet of new merchandise to help our members find everyday essentials under one roof,” says Lawrence. “Our new bright, updated interior is easier to navigate, so members can browse the office and house wares in the new home furnishings department, choose a freshly prepared entree for the family in the expanded fresh foods department, all while having their prescriptions filled, saving them time and money.” added Lawrence.

With a valid college ID and collegiate email address, students can obtain a year-long Sam’s Club Collegiate Membership for $40 and receive a $15 gift card to help offset the cost of their first purchase. Sam’s Club offers the ideal solution for Collegiate Members as they combat high tuition costs with the essentials. From compact refrigerators to bedding to laptops, Sam’s Club has what Central Connecticut State University and Capital Community College students need with values that are sure to help them get the top grade in comfort, nutrition, organization, technology and entertainment.

Sam’s Club Provides Career Opportunities
In addition to saving Members money, the Newington Sam’s Club continues to benefit the area by employing approximately 190 associates, including 64 new positions created by the relocation. Manager Lawrence started his career in 1998 as an assistant manager in the Berlin, Conn. Sam’s Club. After being promoted to manager of the Orange Sam’s Club, he returned to Berlin as its general manager in 2003.

“I have worked with Sam’s Club for 11 years, and I am an example of how you can build a great career with this company,” Lawrence added.

Sam’s Club Celebrates Community Commitment
As part of Sam’s Club commitment to give back to the communities it serves, associates from the Newington Club have selected several local organizations to receive a total of $15,000 in grants, including a special $5,000 grant to the Town of Newington Department of Social Services Food Bank. (For a full list of grant recipients see the Club Fact Sheet.)

Sam’s Club, while partnering with Feeding America, has continued to fight hunger in the area by making regular product donations to local food banks. Club locations across the nation regularly donate perishable food items to area hunger-relief agencies, helping fight hunger in their communities and reducing food waste. Last year, Sam’s Club donated more than 13 million pounds to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief charity.

About Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT). The first Sam’s Club opened its doors in Midwest City, Okla., in 1983. Today, Sam’s Club serves more than 47 million U.S. Members with locations nationwide and in Brazil, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Sam’s Club offers exceptional values on merchandise and services for business owners and consumers. Online merchandise and Club information is available at www.samsclub.com.

Club Fact Sheet
Newington, Conn. Sam’s Club

Club Fast Facts

• Grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony and special presentation of $15,000 in community grants: Thursday, July 23, 8:30 a.m.
• Address: 3465 Berlin Turnpike
• Club hours:
  
  • Gold Key hours for Business Members – 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. Mon. – Fri.; 7 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Sat.
  • All Memberships – 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Mon. – Fri.; 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sun.
• 134,608-square-foot Sam’s Club, an increase of 25,608 square feet.
• Berlin Sam’s Club originally opened 1989
• The Club employs approximately 190 associates.
• Manager Kevin Lawrence started his career at the Berlin, Conn. Sam’s Club in 1998 as an assistant manager. He was named general manager of the Newington Sam’s Club in 2003.

Merchandise Mix

• Available products include electronics; computer software; mattresses; outdoor living furniture; office products; appliances; restaurant and foodservice supplies; vending and concession supplies; health, beauty and medical supplies; apparel; fitness equipment; toys; flowers; gifts and awards.
• Luxury items include designer sunglasses and handbags, jewelry, gourmet foods, wine and crystal and collectibles.
• The Club offers a gas station, full liquor sales, a pharmacy, a one-hour photo lab, tire and battery services, a bakery, a fresh floral department, and a café.
• Members also enjoy healthcare, business, financial and personal services such as health and medical discount programs, roadside assistance, travel services, auto, boat and RV programs and cost effective merchant credit card processing solutions, provided by third party vendors.

Membership Options

• Advantage Membership - $40
• Business Membership - $35
• Advantage PLUS Membership - $100
• Business PLUS Membership - $100
• Collegiate Membership - $40, includes a $15 gift card and complimentary Membership

(Editor’s Note: For more detailed information on Membership options, visit any Sam’s Club location or samsclub.com.)

Community Contributions

• The Club will distribute $15,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations in celebration of its grand opening. Grant checks will be distributed to representatives of the charities at the grand opening. The recipients include:
  • Town of Newington Department of Social Services Food Bank
  • Southfield Children’s Center
  • Town of Newington Police Department Adventure Build Bridges Program
  • Town of Newington School District
  • Town of Newington Special Education Department

For more information

• Club Manager: Kevin Lawrence, 860-829-0841
• Sam’s Club information online: www.samsclub.com

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