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Walmart temporarily closes hundreds of stores due to brutal winter storms

“Safety of our associates and customers is our top priority,” says retail giant

Michael Browne, Executive Editor

February 16, 2021

1 Min Read
walmart store closings winter storm.jpg
The extreme winter storm brought snow, ice and plunging temperatures across the southern Plains and caused a power emergency in Texas and reached down to the Gulf Coast.Walmart

As winter storms continue to pound large swaths of the United States with snow, ice and below-freezing temperatures, Walmart announced on Monday that it would be temporarily closing hundreds of stores throughout various parts of the country.

As of noon Tuesday, approximately 465 Walmart and Sam's Club stores were temporarily closed while the retailer's emergency operations center monitors the storms and "other potential disasters."

“The safety of our associates and customers is our top priority,” the Bentonville, Ark.-based retail giant announced Monday. “Walmart’s Emergency Operations Center monitors winter storms and other potential disasters in real time. We assess the status of our facilities and will continue to operate as long as it is safe to do so. We pay close attention and follow local and/or state guidance.”

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Walmart has created a map to assist its customers and the communities it serves to help them plan for storms and possible consequences. The map will continue to update in real time to give users the most up to date information available.

The extreme winter storm brought snow, ice and plunging temperatures across the southern Plains and caused a power emergency in Texas and reached down to the Gulf Coast.

The nation’s largest retailer, Walmart operates more than 4,700 stores and supercenters in the United States, as well as approximately 600 Sam’s Club warehouse stores.

Related:Walmart to begin COVID-19 vaccinations in 22 states

About the Author

Michael Browne

Executive Editor, Supermarket News

Michael Browne joined Supermarket News in 2018 after serving in managing and executive editor capacities at leading B2B media brands including Convenience Store NewsLicense Global and Travel Agent. He also previously served as content production manager for print and digital in the Business Intelligence division of Informa, parent company of Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News.

As executive editor, Mike oversees the editorial content of supermarketnews.com as well as the monthly print publication. He also directs all content-based brand-related projects including the annual Top 75 Retailers report, Category Guide, Retailer of the Year, research surveys and special reports, as well as podcast and webinar content. Mike has also presented and moderated at industry events.

In addition to the positions mentioned above, Mike has also worked as a writer and/or editor for special projects at American Legal Media (ALM), managing editor for Tobacco International, special projects editor at American Banker • Bond Buyer, and as production editor for Bank Technology News and other related financial magazines and journals published by Faulkner & Gray.

A graduate of Fordham University, Mike is based in New York City, where he was born and raised.

Contact Mike at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

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