Walmart Holds ‘Idol’ Style Contest for Small Businesses
Zombie repellant might not be something you expect to find on the shelf at Walmart. Or, for that matter, puppy shoes. But a public relations-savvy contest that the nation’s largest retailer announced last week could result in one of these off-beat products landing on Walmart shelves before year’s end. For Walmart, it’s all about garnering publicity and social-media hits. But for the winner of the contest, it’s a chance to go from a virtual unknown to a distinguished product sold with roughly 150,000 others at more than 3,800 Walmart stores nationally. Walmart dubbed its contest the “Get on the Shelf” program — an American Idol-style competition for small businesses. Two rounds of online voting will determine three winners, all of which will be sold online, with the grand prize winner gaining a spot in select stores. Giving shoppers a say in the company’s offerings is crucial to connecting with them, says Chris Bolte, vice president of @WalmartLabs — the social-media and e-commerce team that created the contest. “You always want to stay closely tuned to what your customers are looking for,” Bolte says. “It’s really about getting products on the shelves that we haven’t seen.”
Chatham Walmart Opening
Walmart will open its second Chicago supercenter Wednesday — bringing fresh fruits and vegetables and jobs to the South Side’s Chatham neighborhood — eight years after an infamous City Council battle. The long-awaited Walmart will have 157,000 square feet of space, including a “full grocery and a full offering of general merchandise,” according to company spokesman Steven Restivo. Roughly 75 percent of the 350 jobs, most of them full-time, will be filled by South Side residents. Asked whether the eight-year political battle was worth the wait, Restivo said, “The time and energy spent opening the store was well worth it because more residents in the city will have access to jobs and fresh, affordable food in an area of the city where residents need more affordable options for fresh, healthy food.” Later this year, Walmart plans to open: the Pullman supercenter; Neighborhood Markets in Lake View and Auburn-Gresham and Walmart Express stores in West Englewood and River North.
Chatham Walmart Supercenter opens
One South Side Chicago neighborhood is getting an economic shot in the arm Wednesday with the opening of a store, the focus of a years-long fight in the city council.
The 157,000-square-foot store is at 83rd and Stewart, bringing hundreds of jobs and more grocery options to the Chatham neighborhood.
It has been a seven-year battle between Walmart and the unions. The Chatham location will be the second Walmart supercenter in the city, bringing 350 jobs to the community. The other is in the Austin neighborhood; a third is scheduled to open next year in the Pullman neighborhood on the Far South Side on the site of an old steel mill.
Walmart Opens Second Chicago Supercenter in Chatham
Walmart opened its second Chicago supercenter Wednesday.
The 157,000 square foot store will open in the Chatham neighborhood at 83rd and Stewart.
The other Super Walmart is on the West Side.
The City Council agreed to let Walmart into Chicago eight years ago after a long battle.
The new store will include a full grocery section, an important addition to a community that was a food desert for years.
The store is bringing 350 new jobs to the neighborhood, almost 80 percent of which were hired from the South Side, according to Steven Restivo, senior director of community affairs for Walmart.
Walmart Opens Chicago’s Second Supercenter
West Chatham store nearly a decade in the making;
City officials on hand to celebrate 350 jobs and new source for affordable food
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Steven Restivo, Walmart, (479) 616-4493
CHICAGO, Jan. 25, 2012 – Chicago’s second Walmart supercenter opened today in the Chatham Market, bringing new jobs and more affordable grocery options to the south side and marking the end of an 8-year effort to bring economic development to the area. The retailer now operates five locations across the city.
Click here to see photos of the Chatham store.
“This Wal-Mart is a win-win-win – a win for the local economy, a win for local job creation, and a win for the Chicagoans who now have access to a full selection of groceries and fresh food in Chatham,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I am committed to driving economic growth and opportunity in our neighborhoods, and will continue to seek opportunities for Chicagoans to find good jobs and advance their communities.”
Walmart Launches “Get on the Shelf” Contest to Uncover the Next Great Product
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Walmart Media Relations/@WalmartLabs
Phone: 1-800-331-0085
media@walmartlabs.com
SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Jan. 18, 2012 – Walmart (NYSE: WMT) today announced the launch of Get on the Shelf, the first contest of its kind from a major retailer. Beginning today, anyone can enter Get on the Shelf for the chance to get their product sold on Walmart.com and even in Walmart stores. Any product in any category currently covered by Walmart is eligible ranging from housewares and electronics to toys and apparel.
The nationwide contest is the latest announcement from @WalmartLabs and similar to the popular American Idol television show, contestants will create videos of their latest inventions and the public will vote online for the winners.
Wal-Mart, Kroger, Supervalu Win Diversity Honors
Wal-Mart Stores, Kroger and Supervalu were each named to a list of top 50 businesses for multicultural business opportunities by Diversity Business here. The “Div50” list recognizes top 50 corporate and organizational buyers of diversity products and services throughout the U.S. and is based on responses to questions sent to 1.2 million woman- and minority-owned U.S. businesses. In the list published Sunday, Wal-Mart ranked second overall behind AT&T, Kroger ranked 15th and Supervalu 23rd.
Walmart’s Green Room Blog Launches
At long last, Walmart has entered the sustainable blogosphere with a new site called “The Green Room” (not to be confused with our own green room project with BBMG). Walmart’s new offering is a self described “platform for an ongoing conversation with NGOs, suppliers, the media, and others who want to share ideas and partner with us in helping people live better around the world.” It’s simple, clear and a good start. Whether it becomes a deep and productive conduit for progress on sustainability shall remain to be seen in 2012.
Getting to the Heart of Christmas 2011: Bastrop County, TX
Walmart has joined the Today Show to co-produce the “Getting to The Heart of Christmas” series, which brings surprise Christmases to deserving families and organizations across America. This morning, the Today Show featured the third and final segments which focused on volunteer firefighters who lost their homes during a devastating wildfire in Bastrop County, TX.
Watch the full video at the Today Show
Walmart Gives $200,000 to 10 Nonprofits on the 12th Day of Holiday Facebook Campaign
Company funds organizations in Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas
Contact: Kelly Cheeseman, Walmart
1-800-331-0085
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Dec. 23, 2011 – On the 12th and last day of its “12 Days of Giving” Facebook campaign, Walmart is awarding $200,000 to 10 nonprofits that are true heroes for their communities and have made selfless acts to help those in need. Over the last twelve consecutive days, Walmart awarded a total of $1.5 million to 145 organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Organizations being honored on the company’s Facebook page today are serving communities in: Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas. (more…)
