Content about Arkansas

May 20, 2013

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has installed eight solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays in Massachusetts.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has installed eight solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays in Massachusetts.

The arrays contain almost 10,000 solar panels that Wal-Mart estimates will generate 2.8 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy every year, eliminating almost 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

May 16, 2013

Wal-Mart Stores on Thursday reported profit and sales that were just below Wall Street expectations as the giant retailer struggled with a number of issues that impacted its U.S. sales, from the payroll tax increase to an unseasonably cold spring to delayed tax returns.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores on Thursday reported profit and sales that were just below Wall Street expectations as the giant retailer struggled with a number of issues that impacted its U.S. sales, from the payroll tax increase to an unseasonably cold spring to delayed tax returns. The discounter also scaled back its earnings expectations for the current three-month period.

Wal-Mart’s net income rose 1.1% to $3.8 billion. Revenue edged up 1%, to $113.4 billion.

May 6, 2013

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced Monday that it has launched a new TV and digital ad campaign designed to demonstrate what the retailer describes as “The Real Walmart.”

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced Monday that it has launched a new TV and digital ad campaign designed to demonstrate what the retailer describes as “The Real Walmart.”

The campaign also includes a dedicated website – therealwalmart.com – demonstrating how consumers rely on Walmart to save money, on the company’s career opportunities, and detailing how it creates efficiencies and works directly with manufacturers to help deliver low prices.

April 22, 2013
For the first time in the retailer’s history, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said that, through Walmart and the Walmart Foundation, it has given more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions.

Bentonville, Ark. -- For the first time in the retailer’s history, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said that, through Walmart and the Walmart Foundation, it has given more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions.

The Monday announcement makes Walmart the first U.S. retailer to achieve the $1 billion in giving mark, up from $872.7 million last year. The growth in global giving was largely due to increased in-kind donations in the U.S. to local food banks and families impacted by disasters.

April 16, 2013

In its Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting on Monday, Walmart announced new commitments the retailer says will dramatically increase energy efficiency and renewables, and hasten its path toward being 100% supplied by renewable energy.

Bentonville, Ark. -- In its Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting on Monday, Walmart announced new commitments the retailer says will dramatically increase energy efficiency and renewables, and hasten its path toward being 100% supplied by renewable energy.

Walmart president and CEO Mike Duke outlined specific goals the company said it intends to achieve by Dec. 31, 2020:

April 8, 2013

Wal-Mart said it will open two additional college campus locations, nearly two years after make its university debut at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart said it will open two additional college campus locations, nearly two years after make its university debut at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

According to a Monday report by the Wall Street Journal, which cited Inside Higher Ed, the retailer will open a 5,000-sq.-ft. store at Arizona State University in Phoenix next month, and will open in Atlanta on the Georgia Tech campus later this year.

April 8, 2013

Wal-Mart said it will open two additional college campus locations, nearly two years after make its university debut at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart said it will open two additional college campus locations, nearly two years after make its university debut at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

According to a Monday report by the Wall Street Journal, which cited Inside Higher Ed, the retailer will open a 5,000-sq.-ft. store at Arizona State University in Phoenix next month, and will open in Atlanta on the Georgia Tech campus later this year.

April 1, 2013

Walmart is easing the pain at the pump by offering customers who use a Walmart MoneyCard or Walmart Credit Card a 15 cents per gallon reduction on their fuel purchase.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart is easing the pain at the pump by offering customers who use a Walmart MoneyCard or Walmart Credit Card a 15 cents per gallon reduction on their fuel purchase. Customers using a Walmart gift card will receive a 10 cent per gallon discount. Gas will be discounted at more than 1,000 Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations located at Walmart stores in 21 participating states.

January 22, 2013

Wal-Mart Stores is tightening the reins on its global suppliers.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores is tightening the reins on its global suppliers. Effective March 1, the retailer is implementing a "zero tolerance" policy for any supplier who subcontracts work to factories without the company’s knowledge, the Associated Press reported. Previously, Wal-Mart gave suppliers three chances to correct mistakes.

As part of the new rules, Wal-Mart will require all factories in Bangladesh to undergo an electrical and building safety assessment from an independent agency.

January 10, 2013

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Arkansas governor Mike Beebe announced Thursday that Wal-Mart will join an Arkansas program intended to change the way that private insurers and Medicaid pay for services.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Arkansas governor Mike Beebe announced Thursday that Wal-Mart will join an Arkansas program intended to change the way that private insurers and Medicaid pay for services. Wal-Mart’s Arkansas employees’ insurance plans, which cover about 57,000 workers, will become a part of the statewide program.

The retailer has committed $670,000 toward a tracking system to measure the program’s success as well as distribute information about the reforms.

January 10, 2013

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Arkansas governor Mike Beebe announced Thursday that Wal-Mart will join an Arkansas program intended to change the way that private insurers and Medicaid pay for services.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Arkansas governor Mike Beebe announced Thursday that Wal-Mart will join an Arkansas program intended to change the way that private insurers and Medicaid pay for services. Wal-Mart’s Arkansas employees’ insurance plans, which cover about 57,000 workers, will become a part of the statewide program.

The retailer has committed $670,000 toward a tracking system to measure the program’s success as well as distribute information about the reforms.

December 27, 2012

Murphy Oil USA announced it has entered into an agreement with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for 200 new fuel stations in the midwestern and southeastern U.S.

El Dorado, Ark. -- Murphy Oil USA announced Wednesday it has entered into an agreement with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for 200 new fuel stations in the midwestern and southeastern U.S.

According to the agreement, Murphy Oil will build more than 200 new fuel stations at existing Wal-Mart Super Centers over the next three years.

Steven Cosse, president and CEO, Murphy Oil Corp., said the agreement with Wal-Mart is a significant step forward for the pair’s long-term relationship.

December 27, 2012

Some are merchants, with long careers in brick-and-mortar stores. Others are tech trailblazers, using new media to match merchandise and buyers. Others are influencing retail in less direct, but no less significant, ways. All share an ability to create new opportunities and, in their own way, are looking to reinvent the shopping experience. And all wield a great deal of influence in today’s complex retail landscape.

November 26, 2012

Walmart U.S. reported that its Black Friday events were its “best ever,” and followed on the heels of what U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon described as an “impressive Thursday,” on which 22 million customers shopped U.S. Walmart stores.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart U.S. reported Saturday that its Black Friday events were its “best ever,” and followed on the heels of what U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon described as an “impressive Thursday,” on which 22 million customers shopped U.S. Walmart stores.
 

November 14, 2012

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced it will officially launch its previously announced food-by-mail subscription service, called Goodies, which allows customers to trial sample-sized foods for a monthly fee.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced Wednesday it will officially launch its previously announced food-by-mail subscription service, called Goodies, which allows customers to trial sample-sized foods for a monthly fee.

October 30, 2012

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. released a statement on Tuesday that none of its facilities have sustained any significant damage from Hurricane Sandy.

Some 168 stores remain closed, said the retailer, but some will be reopening with the use of generators.

The company also said that the superstorm has not had an impact on holiday planning at this point.

October 30, 2012

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. released a statement on Tuesday that none of its facilities have sustained any significant damage from Hurricane Sandy.

Some 168 stores remain closed, said the retailer, but some will be reopening with the use of generators.

The company also said that the superstorm has not had an impact on holiday planning at this point.

October 26, 2012

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced the completion of its increased investment in Yihaodian, a fast-growing Chinese e-commerce company.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced the completion of its increased investment in Yihaodian, a fast-growing Chinese e-commerce company. The chain now holds an approximate 51% stake in the Yihaodian holding company.

"This investment demonstrates we are committed to the development of e-commerce in China and bringing the best possible shopping experience to Chinese customers," said Neil Ashe, president and CEO of Wal-Mart's Global e-commerce division in a statement.

September 19, 2012

Walmart and HumanaVitality announced a first-of-its-kind program called Vitality HealthyFood, whereby Walmart offers a 5% discount on produce items to HumanaVitality members.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart and HumanaVitality announced a first-of-its-kind program called Vitality HealthyFood, whereby Walmart offers a 5% discount on produce items to HumanaVitality members. The discount is loaded on a card in the form of a credit within five business days that can be redeemed on a subsequent trip to Walmart.

September 18, 2012

Walgreens announced that it has completed its purchase of 144 stores operating under the USA Drug, Super D Drug, May’s Drug, Med-X and Drug Warehouse banners located in Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens on Monday announced that it has completed its purchase of 144 stores operating under the USA Drug, Super D Drug, May’s Drug, Med-X and Drug Warehouse banners located in Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

The acquisition also includes corporate offices, a distribution center located in Pine Bluff, Ark., and a wholesale and private brand business, for a total of approximately $438 million subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.

September 6, 2012

Dillard’s said Thursday that it has appointed Chris Johnson as its VP real estate.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard’s said Thursday that it has appointed Chris Johnson as its VP real estate. He succeeds James Cherry, Jr., who retired in December.

Johnson, a CPA, was previously VP of accounting for the department store retailer.
 

September 4, 2012

According to multiple reports, Walmart is testing a new iPhone app that will allow shoppers to scan items using their iPhones and complete their transactions at in-store self-checkout kiosks.

Bentonville, Ark. -- According to multiple reports on Tuesday, Walmart is testing a new iPhone app that will allow shoppers to scan items using their iPhones and complete their transactions at in-store self-checkout kiosks.

Walmart is piloting its Scan & Go program in its Rogers, Ark. store. The system is not designed for mobile payment transactions but rather to allow shoppers to complete purchases as they shop in the store.

September 4, 2012

Wal-Mart Stores said that its new store in Portland, Ore., will feature the state’s largest green roof.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Friday that its new store in Portland, Ore., will feature the state’s largest green roof.

According to a report by Oregon’s Daily Journal of Commerce, the 90,000-sq.-ft. store, which broke ground Friday in North Portland, will be topped by a 40,600-sq.-ft. green roof, surpassing by more than 10,000 sq. ft. the current largest green roof over the Ramona apartment complex in Portland.

August 30, 2012

Walmart announced a new search engine for Walmart.com. The new engine, named Polaris, was developed by a small team within @Wamart Labs, the research and technology hub for innovation at Walmart.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced a new search engine for Walmart.com. The new engine, named Polaris, was developed by a small team within @Wamart Labs,  the research and technology hub for innovation at Walmart. It uses semantic search technology to anticipate the intent of a shopper's search to deliver highly relevant results for them.  

August 14, 2012

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. indicated Tuesday it has received the OK from Chinese regulators to move forward with its majority stake in e-commerce company Yihaodian.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. indicated Tuesday it has received the OK from Chinese regulators to move forward with its majority stake in e-commerce company Yihaodian.

According to a report by Wall Street Journal, which cited a Wal-Mart spokesperson in Beijing, the approval will allow Wal-Mart to expand its online presence in China. Under the deal, Wal-Mart will increase its stake in Yihaodian from 18% to 51%.

Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.