Walmart Canada to Expand

Walmart Canada has unveiled plans to complete 29 supercenter projects in the company's fiscal year, which runs from Feb. 1, 2015, to Jan. 31, 2016. The division of Bentonville, Ark.-based mega-retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will also expand its distribution network this year to support its food and e-commerce growth in Canada, while continuing to expand and enhance its e-commerce website.

Total capital spending for the projects is expected to be about $269 million, including about $182 million for the remodeling and expansion of several existing Walmart stores to add full grocery departments; $59.3 million for more distribution centers to increase the retailer's fresh food and e-commerce capacity; and $27.7 million for further e-commerce initiatives.

Walmart Canada anticipates that the undertaking will generate about 3,700 construction jobs, 1,000 store jobs and 300 distribution center jobs across the country over the next year. This expansion comes on the heels of the 11 supercenters that opened across Canada last month.

"Our mission is to provide multiple access points for customers to save money," said Walmart Canada President and CEO Dirk Van den Berghe. "We will deliver on this commitment through a range of channels, including our expanding network of supercenters, our accelerating e-commerce business and our in-store pickup services."

Locations of specific stores and distribution centers will be revealed over the coming weeks and months as projects are finalized. The expansion will bring Walmart Canada's store count to 396 –- 309 supercenters and 87 discount stores –- by the close of January 2016. The Mississauga, Ontario-based company currently operates 394 stores nationwide: 280 supercenters and 114 discount stores.