Walmart

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- With Wal-Mart looking to expand its supercenter concept into northern California, locally based Raley's launched a new everyday low price (EDLP) strategy yesterday on a significant selection of products in its 125 Raley's, Bel Air Markets, and Nob Hill Foods stores.

SAINT-ETIENNE, France -- Casino Guichard Perrachon & Cie SA, the second-biggest supermarket company in France after Carrefour, has increased its stake in Brazil-based Cia. Brasileira de Distribuicao Grupo Pao de Acucar (CBD) to 34. 3 percent from 27.4 percent by paying approximately $587 million to share control of that country's top grocer, according to published reports. Casino's stake will eventually grow to 39 percent of CBD without any further payment by the French retailer.

LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Wal-Mart has said that it will add 22,000 square feet to a recently closed store here and reopen it as Colorado's first "mini-supercenter," according to the Denver Post.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The Wal-Mart Television Network's strategic programming platform in 515 targeted Wal-Mart stores with highly concentrated Hispanic populations will receive support from Premier Retail Networks, Inc., the wholly owned subsidiary of San Francisco-based PRN Corp., in partnership with U.S. Spanish-language television network Telemundo.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. here said Friday that the former Wal-Mart v.p. who asked to be protected as a whistleblower was actually part of a scheme to defraud the company.

TORONTO -- Wal-Mart Canada Corp. says it closed its store in Jonquiere, Que. a week earlier than expected because it ran out of merchandise, not because it was running away from the union.

Can 80-year-old Winn-Dixie be saved from itself? Industry watchers offer opinions.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. yesterday said John Fleming, who currently runs its e-commerce operation, will be named e.v.p. and chief marketing officer for Wal-Mart Stores, effective May 2.