BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Walmart today is announcing that more than 850,000 Walmart associates in the U.S., including over 22,000 in Alabama, will receive a share of more than $157 million in cash bonuses based on their stores’ performance in the fourth quarter. The bonuses, along with an annual pay raise, were included in associates’ March 9 paycheck.

Walmart associates can earn quarterly bonuses based on the performance of their store. Workers in Alabama will share more than $4 million in Alabama cash bonuses. The bonuses come on the heels of Walmart U.S. recording its strongest comp sales performance of the year, a 1.8% increase in the fourth quarter. Customer service and inventory have also improved. For the full fiscal year, U.S. associates shared more than $700 million in bonuses.

“We’re proud to reward the more than 22,000 associates across the state who earned bonuses last quarter for their hard work and dedication,” said John Tow, Walmart’s regional general manager for Alabama. “Our associates are the heartbeat of our company and as leaders we are continuously working to help provide them with a good start, a clear path, and unlimited opportunities. We know we are better equipped to serve our customers when our associates grow professionally, feel supported and share in the company’s success.”

Over the past two years, Walmart has invested billions of dollars in training, education and higher wages. These investments offer associates skills, knowledge and tools to help them grow with the company and provide great customer service during a time of rapid change in shopping habits. During 2016, Walmart launched new training programs for entry-level associates, frontline supervisors, department managers and assistant managers, creating clearer career paths and preparing them to succeed in a new, technology-enabled age of retail.

OPPORTUNITY AND ADVANCEMENT

A job at Walmart means opportunity for associates, no matter their education or work background, and when associates are successful, the company is successful. Opportunity and advancement highlights from fiscal year 2017 include:

• Walmart U.S. promoted more than 200,000 associates, including more than 5,150 in Alabama, to jobs with higher pay and more responsibility.
• More than 150,000 associates, including more than 3,500 in Alabama were converted from part-time to full-time.
• More than 75% of current store management teams started as hourly workers.
• Walmart opened 40 Training Academies — physical facilities that serve as learning hubs for hourly supervisors, department managers and assistant managers from approximately 25 area stores.

Walmart in Alabama

Walmart’s recent pay raises are just one part of the company’s local investment and impact. In Alabama, the company:

• Operates 144 retail units.
• Spent $1.1 billion with local suppliers, supporting more than 32,000 supplier jobs in FYE 2017.*
• Paid more than $92 million in taxes and collected more than $660 million in sales taxes in FYE 2016.

*Information supplied by Dunn & Bradstreet

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 260 million customers and members visit our 11,695 stores under 59 banners in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. With fiscal year 2017 revenue of $485.9 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.

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