Walmart Canada awarded two Excellence in Retailing Awards

Company recognized by Retail Council of Canada for distinction in corporate social responsibility and merchandising

Mississauga, ON, June 1 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada was awarded the Retail Council of Canada's Retail Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award for Environment and Large Chain In-Store Retail Merchandising Award at the Excellence in Retailing Award last night in Toronto.

The Retail CSR Award for Environment was awarded to Walmart Canada for its environmental demonstration store in Burlington, Ontario, which features a first-of-its-kind application of geothermal technology, in a large-scale Canadian retail operation, and energy-conserving lighting innovations, among many other sustainable features.

The Burlington demonstration store is a supercentre, offering a full assortment of groceries and general merchandise. It is an estimated 60 per cent more energy-efficient than the company's typical supercentre stores and diverts an estimated 85 per cent of its waste from landfill. This year, Walmart Canada is opening prototypical stores that are 30 per cent more energy-efficient than previous formats.

The company received the Large Chain In-Store Retail Merchandising Award for its 'Project Patio' program, an innovative and multi-channel merchandising and marketing initiative to help customers create outdoor living solutions at unbeatable prices.

"We're honoured to have been selected by a distinguished panel of peers for excellence in merchandising and corporate social responsibility," said David Cheesewright, president and CEO of Walmart Canada. "These awards speak to our company's commitment to being a contributing member of the community and to making the shopping experience easy and affordable for our customers."

Retail Council of Canada (RCC) has been the Voice of Retail in Canada since 1963. They are a not-for-profit, industry-funded association representing more than 40,000 store fronts of all retail formats across Canada, including department, specialty, discount, and independent stores, and online merchants.

About Walmart Canada

Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Walmart Canada operates 317 retail outlets nationwide and serves more than one million customers daily. The company's vision is to demonstrate environmental leadership by reducing the ecological impact of its operations through company-wide programs focused on waste, energy and products, as well as outreach programs that preserve and enhance local environments. Walmart's global goal is to generate zero waste, to be powered 100 per cent by renewable energy and to sell products that sustain people and the environment.

For further information: Karin Campbell, manager of corporate affairs, Walmart Canada, [phone] x4042