Walmart to build two new fulfillment centers in Florida

The nation’s largest retailer’s new e-commerce centers will open in 2016 and create more than 625 jobs in Polk County, Fla.    Walmart Stores, Inc. will build two new e-commerce fulfillment centers in Davenport, Fla., according to a joint statement from the company and the office of Florida Governor Rick Scott.
   The nation’s largest retailer selected the Majestic I-4 Distribution Center Park, located near the intersection of Interstate 4 and Highway 27 in Polk County, as the site of the new facilities, which will be dedicated to shipping online orders.
   The centers are scheduled to open in 2016 and will create over 625 jobs for the local economy. The first of the two facilities will employ over 500 workers, housing smaller products like iPads, PS4 gaming systems, apparel, and toys in just under 1 million square feet of space. A second, 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse will create more than 125 jobs and store oversized items, such as large electronics, home products and exercise equipment.
   “As we further enhance our fulfillment capabilities with more state-of-the-art e-commerce facilities, we’re selecting strategic locations that allow us to serve more customers quickly and at a lower cost,” Brent Beabout, Walmart Global eCommerce senior vice president of supply chain and logistics, said of the new centers, “Walmart’s next generation fulfillment network combines new facilities like the one in Davenport, Florida, with existing distribution centers, our world-class transportation fleet and 4,500 stores to efficiently scale fast delivery to customers all across the U.S.”
   “I’m proud to announce that Walmart will be creating 625 new jobs at their new E-Commerce facilities in Polk County,” added Governor Scott. “Because of our work to create a business-friendly environment, more businesses like Walmart are choosing Florida as the best place to grow and create new jobs.”