The Cold, Hard Facts: Wal-Mart Helps Consumers Cut Costs on Nation's Summertime Favorite - Ice Cream

BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ice cream and other frozen desserts are America's favorite treat, with 90 percent of American households dipping into the dairy delight throughout the summer months and beyond.* And, as consumers look to Wal-Mart for savings during tough economic times, they'll find sweet relief on "Sundae," May 18 -- and all summer -- with the retailer's low prices on ice cream and sundae toppings. In fact, Wal-Mart estimates that its shoppers will spend nearly six times less on a family ice cream social at home when compared to ice cream desserts at many restaurants and ice cream parlors.

To celebrate these savings and kick off the American Summer, Wal-Mart will host what may be the world's largest ice cream social event on Sunday, May 18, complete with complimentary ice cream sundaes in more than 2,500 Wal-Mart Supercenters across the country. Wal-Mart will have on hand more than 5,000 ice cream scoopers to build an estimated 1 million free ice cream sundaes, complete with whipped cream and other toppings, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., while supplies last. For more information and to find the nearest Wal-Mart Supercenter, visit http://www.walmart.com/icecream.

"In tough economic times, our customers face tough choices. That's why we are working hard to make sure summer costs less at Wal-Mart," said Pam Kohn, Wal-Mart senior vice president and general merchandise manager for grocery. "Our customers can save more than 50 percent on their favorite summer desserts -- including apple pie a la mode, ice cream cones and brownie sundaes -- by getting all the ingredients for a family ice cream social from Wal-Mart instead of taking an expensive trip to an ice cream shop or restaurant."

Based on Wal-Mart's internal research, here's how the retailer's ice cream offerings compare to sundaes, cones and other cool treats at some restaurants and ice cream shops:

-- The ingredients for 10 two-scoop ice cream cones cost under $7 at Wal-Mart -- the same number of two-scoop cones at a national ice cream shop could cost nearly six times more ($40). -- Get all the ingredients to make 10 brownie sundaes for under $10 at Wal-Mart -- a national restaurant chain might charge nearly five times more ($48.90). -- Apple pie a la mode ingredients for 20 people can be purchased for under $18. Twenty apple pies a la mode purchased at a national family restaurant chain could cost over four times more ($79.60). -- Making banana splits for 10 people costs under $22 -- this is three times less than what some national ice cream shops might charge ($69.90). -- The ingredients to make a two-scoop ice cream sundae with all the extras -- including the cherry on top -- could cost more than three times less than a two-scoop ice cream sundae purchased at a national ice cream chain ($4.49).

"Finding ways to stretch your Dollar doesn't have to mean cutting out tasty pleasures in life like ice cream," Kohn added. "We're committed to helping families save money and giving them affordable access to the products they need to create memorable moments this summer and beyond."

* International Dairy Foods Association ("Just the Facts: Ice Cream Sales and Trends," http://www.idfa.org/facts/icmonth/page2.cfm)

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart discount stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam's Club locations in the United States. The Company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. Wal-Mart serves more than 176 million customers weekly in 14 markets. The Company's securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WMT. For more information: http://www.walmartfacts.com.