Walmart Hosts Midnight Events, Blood Drives and Special Greeting For History-Making Twilight Release

Walmart Hosts Midnight Events, Blood Drives and Special Greeting For History-Making Twilight Release

Retailer Opens Twilight Shops; Blood Drives Start Today

BENTONVILLE, Ark., March 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Already the most pre-ordered movie in Walmart history, Twilight has fans everywhere anxiously awaiting its DVD release and Walmart is rolling out the red carpet. Starting today the retailer opens its "Twilight Shops" across the chain, and will even host blood drives in select markets, as vampire-mania goes into full swing. More than 2,400 midnight parties will be hosted by Walmart's 24-hour stores nationwide this Friday evening for the midnight DVD release.

"We know this is unlike any other DVD release in our history, and we want to deliver a memorable event and store experience for teens and adult fans everywhere," says Greg Hall, vice president of Merchandising, Walmart Entertainment.

-- Blood Mobile Drives for Mortals Everywhere
It's not just vampires who need blood. In many American Red Cross
facilities, only half a day's supply of blood is in stock rather
than the needed three to five day reserve. To lend a hand, Walmart
stores from Los Angeles to Port Angeles, Michigan to Miami will be
partnering with the American Red Cross and community blood banks to
ask customers to participate in this perfect opportunity to give
back. These drives begin in front of select Walmart stores today,
and in appreciation of support, donors will receive special,
exclusive Twilight gifts from Walmart.*

-- Midnight Twilight Events and In-Store Giveaways
Walmart wants to ensure fans everywhere can participate in the fun
of Twilight mania, so in more than 2,400 of its stores it will give
the first 50 fans in line before midnight, anxious to buy the DVD,
a package of gifts unavailable elsewhere. Giveaways include a
custom Bella and Edward picture folder, Twilight tattoos, and
viewing party materials. Fans can purchase Walmart's exclusive
single-disc DVD or the special edition at 12:01 am.

For the many fans planning "viewing parties," Walmart is opening "Twilight Shops" today containing an array of affordable Twilight apparel, bags, music, books and accessories. Friends can also connect with fellow "Twilighters" on the internet, to find party tips, and a free Twilight "eBite" on www.walmart.com/twilight. (Upload a photo, insert a bite and send.)

-- Exclusive Twilight Cast Give a Midnight Greeting
On the night of the in-store DVD release parties, Walmart plans to
give fans thirsting for more a special greeting - an exclusive
message on Walmart TV Network prepared just for them from the red
hot Twilight cast. The never-before-seen message will be from
select Twilight cast members and is taken on the set of the yet to
be released, Twilight Saga, New Moon.

About Walmart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart (NYSE:WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmartstores.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org.

* Twilight gifts at blood mobiles available while supplies last.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070927/WALMARTCOMLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Walmart Stores, Inc.

CONTACT: Melissa O'Brien of Walmart Stores, Inc., 1-800-331-0085

Web Site: http://www.walmartstores.com/

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