Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (Bentonville, Ark.) announced the acquisition of Bompreco (Recife, Brazil), a retail chain in northeastern Brazil with 118 hypermarkets, supermarkets and mini markets, formerly owned by Ahold. Total value of the transaction is approximately $500 million.
With the acquisition, Wal-Mart Brazil (Sao Paulo)will operate 143 units in the country, including 13 Wal-Mart Supercenters, 10 Sam's Clubs, two Wal-Mart Todo Dias and the 118 Bompreco stores. The acquisition gives Wal-Mart Brazil its first stores in the Northeastern Brazilian market.
Wal-Mart started operations in Brazil in May 1995 with a Sam's Club store in Sao Caetano do Sul, part of the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo. In the last eight years, the company has opened 13 Wal-Mart Supercenters, 10 Sam's Clubs and two Wal-Mart Todo Dias.