Walmart to spend $450mn for Canadian expansion

The distribution centre projects, construction of new stores, and expansion, remodelling or relocation of existing stores represents an investment of more than $450 million in the Canadian economy. These expansion plans are expected to generate more than 7,000 store, trade and construction jobs.

"Our associates across the country have done an incredible job this past year serving our customers and opening a record number of new stores and supercentres," said Shelley Broader , president and CEO of Walmart Canada. "This year, we are ramping up our focus on lowering prices and helping customers lower their cost of living, as we continue to bring our supercentre format to more Canadians."

Walmart's supercentres provide Canadians with a one-stop shopping experience. Each stores carries close to 100,000 different products ranging from apparel and home decor to electronics and grocery, plus specialty services such as pharmacies, garden centres, and vision centres. The company will also introduce the supercentre format to locations in the Maritimes this year.

"We're truly delighted to be adding a full grocery section to more locations across the country, including the opening of our first supercentres in the Maritimes," said Ms. Broader. "We look forward to helping our customers coast-to-coast save money on groceries as well as their general merchandise purchases."

The locations for specific store and distribution centre projects will be announced as the details for each project are finalized.

As of January 31, 2013, Walmart Canada will have 379 stores, including 209 supercentres. Today's announcement is expected to bring the company's store count to 388 by the end of January, 2014. The retailer wills grand open nine supercentres this Friday, January 25.

The final two stores included with the 73 store projects planned for the current fiscal year will grand open on January 31. Today's announcement is a continuation of the growth rate of 35 to 40 supercentre projects in Canada for the past several years. FY13 was an exceptional year due to the addition of 73 projects which included 39 former Zellers locations.

About Walmart Canada

Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of more than 375 locations nationwide serving more than one million customers each day, as well as its flagship online store, www.walmart.ca, which is visited by over 250,000 Canadians daily.

With over 94,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and is recognized by Waterstone Human Capital as having one of Canada's top 10 corporate cultures. Walmart Canada is focused on helping Canadian families in need. Since 1994, Walmart has donated and raised more than $160 million to Canadian charities and not-for-profit organizations.

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