Discount retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which is set to open its first Utah store in Tooele later this month, said it will begin construction this year of three additional Wal-Mart stores along the Wasatch Front that will create a total of 735 new jobs.
The three new stores in Salt Lake City, Layton and Riverdale, Weber County, are planned for spring 1991 openings. They will be located at Redwood Road and 5400 South in Salt Lake City, at the intersection of U-232 and U-126 in Layton and at 1050 W. Riverdale Road in Riverdale.Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on all three stores. The Layton and Salt Lake stores will be the anchors for additional retail space to be leased by Consolidated Realty Group, Salt Lake City.
"We are proud to be a part of the Salt Lake City area," said Wal-Mart President David Glass. "We are truly pleased to be able to provide our quality merchandise and our everyday low prices to all of the people of Salt Lake City."
Construction began on the 76,164-square-foot Tooele Wal-Mart last summer following a March announcement that it would enter the Utah market. Shelves are now being stocked and some 190 employees trained for an opening scheduled later this month.
A spokesman for Wal-Mart said the new stores will be one-stop shopping centers with name-brand items, all carrying the company's satisfaction-guaranteed policy. They will have 36 departments including family apparel and shoes, recreation supplies, toys, major electronics and stereo supplies, health and beauty aids, a garden center and pharmacy.
The Wal-Mart chain, based in Bentonville, Ark., reported sales of $25.81 billion for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31. It currently operates 1,420 stores in 29 states. The company said it will open 175 new stores this year.
Wal-Mart also operates 128 Sam's Wholesale Clubs, four Hypermart-USA units and 16 distribution centers across the country.