AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 The Academy Way People and technology help shape tomorrow. PAGE 17 0817_Cover (Working Copy)-9.indd 1 7/25/17 6:02 PM Sales Are in Bloom 12:05 p.m., June 15, 2017, Store 46, Bolivar, Mo. Laurel Dunlap, deparment manager, garden center, helps customer Sharyn Campbell find flowers for a planter. For 25 years, Laurel’s been providing exceptional customer service in this deparment, and it’s paying off. May garden center sales were up $45,000 over last year. 0817_Snapshot (Working Copy)-3.indd 2 7/25/17 1:49 PM 0817_Snapshot (Working Copy)-3.indd 3 7/25/17 1:49 PM ContentsAugust/September 2017 4 LETTERS Make School Nights Easy 5 IT’S MY WALMART With Tamale Casserole 15 Own the Business THIS SYMBOL MEANS THERE’S MORE CONTENT ONLINE OR AT SPARK TEAM 13 Gear Up and Go Walmartworld.com. ARTICLE Learn how you can get a second WE ARE WALMART medical opinion at no cost. 21 Stories of Amazing MONEY Get quick tips on Associates reducing debt. ARTICLE New to checkout? Read these ANNIVERSARIES cashier tips from a pro. 25 Who’s on the List? BE THE FIRST TO KNOW! CHECKOUT Subscribe to our email newsletter 68 Meet a Store Larry Scruggs Takes Safety at walmartworld.com/SignUp. From DC to Football Field 22 FEATURE Walmart 17 Academies Walmart is committed to having 200 Academies operating by early next year. That means one is coming to a store near you—with training to help you succeed. Andreah Vergara Scores 7 Store 502 Gets Sales With With Apple Cider Vinegar 6 Its Boat Orders Program 68 Melanie Goodwin, department manager, Scan meat, Store 2322, Cordova, Tenn. Master 2 Walmartworld.com Walmartworld.com 3 0817_TOC-9.indd 2 7/25/17 4:50 PM 0817_TOC-9.indd 3 7/25/17 4:51 PM Letters FROM OUR READERS Editor in chief John Soldani [email protected] It’s My Walmart Content manager Own the Business Excited About VPI! Stephan Schlegel We want to hear from you. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or submit them at walmartworld.com/YourStoryIdeas. No responsibility can be accepted for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs, which must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Walmart World is a proprietary publication of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and is intended for use by Walmart at its discretion. The editor reserves the right to select and edit letters for publication. Some stories may appear in other publications, including those intended for external audiences. All material that you submit to Walmart World shall become the property of Wal-Mart Stores, Being part of “Big VPI Competition!” Inc., and submission shall be deemed a transfer of all right, title, and interest to the materials [June 2017] was a privilege. My team even submitted. Walmart World is not responsible for verifying the accuracy of material submitted by had a celebration with a cake! We’re excited our readers. The views and opinions expressed on third-party websites do not necessarily state or about VPI every day—in fact, in May we had reflect those of Walmart World and are not meant to substitute for professional advice. 79 associates participate. The bottom line Stores: If you’d like your subscription numbers adjusted, please email us at is to have fun and challenge your folks. [email protected]. Kent Jones, store manager, Store 1676, Tell City, Ind. Printed on partially recycled paper See the story at walmartworld.com/Merchants. SOCIAL LIFE Seen on Instagram Apple of dougmcmillon Her Eye president and CEO of Walmart This associate keyed in on a Loved @essencefest and weight-loss trend to sell her VPI, meeting with these talented organic apple HBCU scholars on Friday. cider vinegar. 4 Walmartworld.com Walmartworld.com 5 0817_Letters-2.indd 4 7/20/17 2:28 PM 0817_VPI_Opener_Vinegar (Working Copy)-1.indd 5 7/24/17 1:37 PM It’s My Walmart ANDREAH VERGARA DIFFERENCE MAKER Department Manager, Grocery Store 5072 Scan Master Torrance, Calif. Melanie helps her department score big with customers IT’S MY VPI and with On-Shelf Customer Availability (OSCA). Why I Chose MELANIE GOODWIN She Makes the Difference A Cut Above Apple Cider A master at the scanning “For big game days, Department Manager, Meat process, Melanie trains I sometimes do manual + Vinegar Store 2322 Cordova, Tenn. associates at other stores picks for quality assurance. See why Melanie “Bragg’s was being featured and consistently keeps her We pick on demand and was awarded her Awarded department’s OSCA scores track what we put out Happy to Help pin at everywhere—on Facebook “Santa Hat” and Google—as something pin at nearly 100 percent. and what we’ll need for walmartworld.com/ you could use for weight loss. the rest of the day.” Melanie. People drink it with apple juice. We couldn’t keep it on the shelves. Making it a VPI just made sense. My manager told me the least-expected items are your hidden gems.” “You have to follow the process so the system + can replace what customers are buying.” SIGN UP TO PLAY Sign up for VPI on the Melanie Goodwin WIRE or using the VPI Tool on the Sales App. Are you winning cash this month? Learn more about VPI at walmartworld.com/VPI. My VPI Success Story My Volume How I My Producing Increased Results Item Sales March 2016 Bragg “We ordered $831 Organic 50 cases every Apple Cider two days and March 2017 Vinegar, 32 oz. featured it in a $12,097 stack base in Increase Action Alley.” 1,356% Cash Won $125 6 Walmartworld.com Walmartworld.com 7 0817_VPI_Assoc_Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (Working Copy).indd 6 7/25/17 8:31 AM 0817_its My Walmart D.Maker_Melanie Goodwin-1.indd 7 7/20/17 2:25 PM It’s My Walmart MY STORE, MY BRAND Power Web Slinger The Blackweb brand features more than 160 sleek and innovative items, including Back to School essentials like Up! tablets and PC accessories. For study breaks, the color- changing LED Bluetooth On Screen For Back to School Speakers play music from your The Blackweb Glass Screen or fun at home, these phone or computer from a Protector—a Big Bet item this range of up to 30 feet. 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Explore our other Private Brands + at walmartworld.com/Brands. 0817_ItsMyWalmart_MyStoreMyBrand_Onn-1-2.indd 8 7/21/17 3:26 PM 0817_ItsMyWalmart_MyStoreMyBrand_Onn-1 (Working Copy)-1.indd 9 7/20/17 2:23 PM NEWS TO KNOW A.C.E. Your Alcohol and Tobacco Sales Every Time ON THE JOB If a customer in your lane is buying alcohol and weCommerce tobacco and appears to be under 40, you have to Here’s a look at the Walmart U.S. eCommerce family— ask for their ID to make sure the sale is legal! you’ll see we’ve grown. Our teams are reaching new customers and offering existing customers more choices Use the A.C.E. method: and enhanced shopping experiences. Assess age. Check valid, government- Enter customer’s date of Founded in January 2000, Walmart.com offers millions One of the largest online retailers to focus on footwear issued photo ID. 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If they don’t This game-changing women’s fashion retailer features vintage and retro designs and innovates by promoting have an ID, don’t sell them alcohol or tobacco! A leading online home-furnishings retailer, Hayneedle positive body image and size diversity with more offers home goods “for every space, style, and budget.” customer choices. It also sells exclusive, affordable home designs with an eye toward chic style. Announced in late June, this New York City–based Pictured above: A special pop-up shop during Shareholders men’s apparel retailer emphasizes quality fit.