OREANDA-NEWS. A new Walmart is opening Wednesday, Jan. 21 following a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. The new store is conveniently located at 1804 E. Ashlan Ave. and is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. The store will provide Fresno residents with low prices on a broad assortment of groceries and merchandise, and a full service pharmacy. Walmart is making shopping more convenient than ever as local residents can shop for more than a million additional items online on Walmart.com and pick them up at the new Fresno Walmart store for free, often as quickly as the same day.

The new store employs approximately 300 full- and part-time associates. Store manager Kirk Ansel began his Walmart career in 2011 as a shift manager.

"We are excited to open our doors in Fresno," said Ansel. "We know that with our selection of merchandise and our associates' commitment to excellent customer service, we can become our community's go-to shopping location."

Fresno customers will find meal and entertaining essentials, fresh produce and a full line of groceries from leading brand names, including organic selections. By working with growers, Walmart is able to provide locally farm-grown quality produce at added convenience and low prices.

"On behalf of District 7 residents, I am pleased to welcome Walmart to one of our city's key commercial corridors," said Fresno Councilman Clint Olivier. "Walmart's presence will help enliven a formerly vacant space, create new jobs and provide area residents with an additional shopping convenience."

Convenient Local Pharmacy and General Merchandise

In addition to groceries, the store features quality, value-priced general merchandise, including electronics, furniture, home decor, automotive, sporting goods, home improvement and more.

The pharmacy offers a full range of products and services. Pharmacy team members are ready to assist customers with product and prescription questions. Fresno residents can easily transfer prescriptions and order refills on the go with the Walmart mobile app for iPhone and Android.

Savings Catcher, the retailer's new receipt comparison tool, looks at other top retailers' local ads and gives customers an eGift card for the difference if a competitor's offering is lower than the price they paid at Walmart. The tool gives customers confidence in their purchases and helps eliminate the need to shop at multiple stores to find great prices. Customers can access Savings Catcher through the Walmart mobile app or online at walmart.com/savingscatcher.

The grand-opening celebration includes presentations of USD 8,000 in grants from Walmart to local community groups. Recipients of grants include:

Fresno Unified School District

Del Mar Elementary School

Marjaree Mason Center

Poverello House

New Beginnings Apostolic Assembly Church

Bringing Broken Neighborhoods Back to Life

In addition to the grants given as part of the grand opening, the new store will further Walmart's pledge to fight hunger in America. As part of Walmart's and the Walmart Foundation's USD 2 billion commitment to fight hunger through 2015, Walmart stores in California donated approximately 23.1 million pounds of food, in fiscal year 2014, or the equivalent of 19.3 million meals. Additionally, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than USD 47.1 million in fiscal year 2014 in California alone.