Walmart Creating Jobs in South Carolina

Walmart has revealed plans to open a raft of new stores in South Carolina over the next five years, creating more than 4,000 jobs and stimulating hundreds of millions of dollars in new economic growth in the process. Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., discussed the company’s intentions at a recent event at the new South Carolina Farmers Market, where he was accompanied by Gov. Nikki Haley.

“We believe South Carolina is a great investment,” said Simon. “We will open dozens of new stores in communities across the state -- creating jobs, driving economic growth and offering South Carolinians the broadest assortment of goods at our everyday low prices. These jobs we offer will be good jobs with competitive wages and benefits and opportunities to build a career.”

Walmart will further boost South Carolina’s economy by employing local construction companies to build the stores, in addition to continuing to source local produce from the state’s farmers. The new locations will have energy-efficient technology and sustainable features to lower energy and water consumption and minimize waste, according to the Bentonville, Ark.-based mega-retailer.

“This is a strong company that already employs almost 28,000 people in our state,” noted Haley. “To have them continue to invest in South Carolina and create more than 4,000 additional jobs is something we’re going to celebrate.”

The company already operates 77 Walmart stores in the state, as well as nine Sam's Club locations and two distribution centers. It additionally supports more than 95,000 jobs in South Carolina.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. operates 9,000 retail units under 60 banners in 15 countries.