Walmart to Expand in Canada

Walmart Stores Inc. (Bentonville, Ark.) has announced plans to increase its expansion in Canada.

The retailer said its Canadian unit will invest around $450 million in 35 new supercenters, as well as an improved distribution network and e-commerce projects.

The planned expansion would increase Walmart Canada’s store count to 395 by the end of January 2015 – 282 supercenters and 113 discount stores.

Competition in Canada’s retail market is heating up. Last month, Target Corp. (Minneapolis) said it would add nine Canada stores this year to the 124 it opened last year in its first venture north of the border.

Other U.S. retailers, like Nordstrom  and Saks Fifth Avenue, are also expanding their presence in Canada. And Loblaw Cos. Ltd. (Brampton, Ont.), the country’s largest supermarket operator, is expanding its store count throughout the country, as well.