Wal-Mart expands Geneva location, adds jobs

Mary Stone//August 11, 2010//

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Wal-Mart Stores Inc. today announced the expansion of its Geneva store with 160 new jobs. The new store will employ 300 people.

The store, which unveiled the expansion Wednesday morning, now is offering a full line of groceries.

The Geneva Wal-Mart also features a new layout and updated design, officials said. In recent months, the retail chain has taken steps to refresh its stores and merchandise.

The new layout creates an open shopping environment with wider aisles that contain no product displays. Lower shelving throughout the store creates an improved sightline and directional signs on aisles.

The Geneva store, like all new Wal-Mart stores, includes energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste, officials said.

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 throughout the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting. Part of 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 store offered grants to local organizations totaling $4,000 to celebrate its opening.