Walmart Canada unveils first fully LED-lit store and announces expansion of LED lighting Program

• Retailer expects to use 28 per cent less energy for lighting at new store  by using 18-watt LED lights
• Company announces expansion of LED lighting program in six Ontario Walmart stores

STRATFORD, ON, Nov. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada today unveiled its first fully LED-lit store in Stratford, Ontario.

By installing 18-watt LED lights throughout the new supercentre instead of conventional fluorescent lighting, the retailer estimates it will reduce overall energy consumption at the store by 28 per cent.  In addition to using less energy, LED lights produce less heat and will reduce the need for air conditioning which will further reduce energy consumption. Combined, these energy saving measures will reduce energy consumption by approximately 189,000 kilo-watt hours (kWh) annually at the store, resulting in a savings of approximately $18,000 per year.

Following a successful LED-retrofit pilot that exceeded expectations at their Brampton North supercentre, the retailer is pleased to announce that it will retrofit an additional six supercentres in Ontario with LED-lighting. Stores in Oakville, Vaughan, Maple, Whitby, Bolton and an additional location in Brampton will be retrofitted with 15-watt LED lights over the next four months.

"As we continue to work towards our goal of operating with 100 per cent renewable energy, it's important for us to also look at ways to reduce or avoid energy usage wherever possible," said Jim Thompson, executive vice-president of real estate and store development for Walmart Canada. "Lighting the Stratford supercentre with LED lights allows us to provide our customers with an improved shopping environment and make our store less energy intensive."

Completed by Canadian EcoLight LED Systems Corp., of Brampton, Ontario, Walmart installed close to 3,000 18-watt LED lights in the 88,000 square foot Stratford. In addition to the direct savings from using LED lamps, the retailer will also save money because LED lights last longer and do not need to be replaced as frequently as traditional fluorescent lights.

EcoLight LED's enhanced partnership with a large Ontario-based lighting fixture manufacturer has allowed the company to provide Walmart with locally sourced materials, thus reducing greenhouse gases and carbon footprint via decreased transportation and help keep valuable local jobs that contribute to the economies of Ontario and Canada.

"We are pleased to be partnering with Walmart Canada on the Stratford Store" said Michael Parker, Director of Operations & Sustainability of Canadian EcoLight LED Systems Corp. "As we continue to develop and manufacture energy efficient and proficient LED light products we appreciate that a global leader like Walmart has recognized our efforts."

Walmart'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.

About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of 382 locations nationwide serving more than one million customers each day, as well as its flagship online store, www.walmart.ca, which is visited by over 250,000 Canadians daily. With 95,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and is recognized by Waterstone Human Capital as having one of Canada's top 10 corporate cultures. Walmart Canada is focused on helping Canadian families in need. Since 1994, Walmart has donated and raised more than $180 million to Canadian charities and not-for-profit organizations.  Additional company information can be found at walmartcanada.ca, facebook.com/walmartcanada and at twitter.com/@walmartcanada.

SOURCE: WalMart Canada

Walmart Canada Corporate Affairs
[email protected]

Canadian EcoLight LED Systems Corp.
Jim West, Director, North American Sales
416-738-4021
[email protected]