Walmart (Bentonville, Ark.) plans to add 50 stores to its existing 20-store chain of wholesale outlets in India. The announcement comes on the heels of a defunct joint partnership with Bharti Enterprises (New Delhi) to open retail stores in the Asian nation. Indian laws pertaining to foreign ownership of grocery stores have slowed the growth of Walmart in that country.
The 50 units will be rolled out over the next four to five years, including eight this year, the world’s largest retailer said, in a statement.
“We are taking a number of important steps to strengthen compliance so that we do the right thing every day,” said Scott Price, Walmart's Asia chief executive. “We are evaluating and reinforcing procedures and programs relating to all compliance areas, including licensing and permits, food safety, and responsible sourcing, among others.”