Here They Come Again

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (Bentonville, Ark.) announced plans to open approximately 45 to 55 new Wal-Mart discount stores and 200 to 210 new Supercenters in the fiscal year beginning Feb. 1, 2003.

Relocations or expansions of existing discount stores will account for approximately 140 of the Supercenters; the remainder will be built in new locations. About 90 percent of the new stores will be opened by the end of the company's 2003 third quarter.

There will also be 20-25 new Neighborhood Market concept stores; 40-45 domestic Sam's Club units (plus the ongoing remodeling program); and 120-130 new international stores, including two restaurant formats, specialty apparel retail stores and supermarkets in Mexico.

The program will result in approximately 48 million square feet of new retail space, an 8 percent increase over the previous year.