CNBC Presents "THE NEW AGE OF WALMART" - Takes An Inside Look At How The World's Largest Retailer Is Trying To Reinvent Itself

90-Minute Documentary Reported by CNBC's David Faber Premieres on CNBC on Wednesday, September 23rd at 9PM & 10:30PM ET

In 2004, CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, gave viewers an inside look at the secrets behind the success of the world's largest retailer. Now, with a troubled economy, a new CEO and a new set of challenges, CNBC goes back inside the Walmart empire, revealing how the company navigated a period of intense criticism and controversy, only to strengthen its grip on the global market.

On Wednesday, September 23rd at 9PM & 10:30PM ET, CNBC presents "The New Age of Walmart," reported by award-winning correspondent David Faber. The 90-minute documentary takes an inside look at a company that sold more than $400 billion worth of goods last year and continues to thrive, even in an unforgiving economy. Faber investigates Walmart's effort to reinvent itself and whether new leadership, aggressive green policies and a full-scale store overhaul signify real change for the controversial powerhouse.

The documentary delivers an exclusive, never-before-seen look at how Walmart decides where to build a store. For the first time, television cameras accompany one of the teams that secretly traverse the country and the world looking for new places to plant its flag. CNBC speaks with Brian Hooper, the man in charge of the real estate development team for Walmart and Sam's Club in the Northeast. CNBC takes you on this covert operation where a decision to build can change a town's fortune forever.

In this economic climate, some might think the prospect of a brand new Supercenter would be an easy sell to communities. Faber found that while some people believe the opening of a Walmart would bring new job opportunities, others are convinced it will lead to their town's demise. In his first extended interview, new CEO Mike Duke addresses some of the tough issues that make Walmart both successful ... and controversial, including the company's ongoing fight against a proposed law that would make it easier for workers to form unions. Faber confronts Duke with questions about continued criticism of Walmart's health care coverage, as well as the level of wages it pays employees.

When Faber traveled to China in 2004 there were 39 Walmart stores; now there are more than 250. He spends a day with the new head of Walmart International, Doug McMillon, as he tours stores in Beijing and meets with customers in their homes.

Walmart's success in Asia and around the world hangs largely on its ability to offer low prices, which in turn rests heavily on the people who work in Chinese factories-sometimes in poor conditions, making less than lawful salaries. Faber speaks with Rajan Kamalanathan, head of Walmart's Global Ethical Standards team, whose job is to make sure factories that make products for Walmart treat their workers humanely.

CNBC also takes a look at Walmart's new environmental push and an ultimatum imposed on suppliers: meet aggressive new goals to be more environmentally and socially responsible by 2012, or the company will no longer do business with them. Walmart's green campaign has not only saved the company money, but has also helped it clean up its image.

For more information including web extras and extended video clips, log onto walmart.cnbc.com.

CNBC's "The New Age of Walmart" will re-air on Friday, September 25th at 9PM ET, Saturday, September 26th at 7PM ET and Sunday, September 27th at 8PM and 10:30PM ET.

Mitch Weitzner is the Senior Executive Producer of "The New Age of Walmart." Lori Gordon is the Senior Producer, Christie Gripenburg is the Coordinating Producer and Patrick Ahearn is the Editor. Ray Borelli is the Vice President of Strategic Research, Scheduling and Long Form Programming.

CNBC's "The Age of Walmart," which premiered in 2004 and was reported by CNBC's David Faber, received two of the most prestigious awards in broadcast journalism, a Peabody Award and the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for Broadcast Journalism.