Walmart ranked top destination for Canadian shoppers this Christmas

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 9 /CNW/ - For the third year in a row, Walmart Canada has been ranked the top destination for Christmas shoppers with 65 per cent of respondents planning to shop at Walmart stores according to Maritz Research Canada's 2009 Canadian Holiday Shopping Poll.

According to Maritz, Canadians rank 'sales and discounts', 'level of customer service', 'availability of staff' and 'hours of operation' as the top four influencers when deciding where to shop.

In late September, Walmart Canada announced its earliest ever Christmas price reductions on toys and stated it will continue to drop prices across all merchandise categories every week in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Delivering on this commitment, the company dropped a record number of prices in November - more than 18,000 -- and is on trend for record price cuts in December. Additionally, beginning December 4 , more than half of Walmart stores nationwide will be open 24 hours until closing time on Christmas Eve .

"As always, we're working hard to give customers their holiday wishes--great deals, convenience and fast, friendly service," said Jim Thompson , senior vice president of operations for Walmart Canada . "For the third year in a row, it will be a very-Walmart Christmas in many Canadian households."

About Walmart Canada

Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of 314 stores, serving more than one million Canadians each day. With more than 82,000 associates, the company is Canada's third-largest employer.

For further information: or to arrange in store media visits, please contact: Felicia Fefer, Corporate Affairs, Walmart Canada, [phone] x 4466