Walmart Canada announces expansion plans; Retailer continues to accelerate food and e-commerce growth

• Company to invest approximately C$340 million for supercentre, distribution network, and e-commerce projects
• 29 supercentre projects will add approximately 230,000 square feet of retail space
• Plans will generate 3,700 construction jobs, 1,000, store jobs and 300 distribution centre jobs

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 11, 2015 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada announced today that it plans to complete 29 supercentre projects in the company's fiscal year which runs from February 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016. The company announced it will also expand its distribution network this year to support its food and e-commerce growth in Canada, and will continue to expand and enhance its e-commerce website, walmart.ca.

Total capital spending for the projects is expected to be approximately C$340 million in the Canadian economy this year. This will include approximately C$230 million for supercentre projects including the remodeling and expansion of several stores to add full grocery departments, C$75 million for additional distribution centres to grow the company's fresh food and e-commerce capacity, and C$35 million for additional e-commerce initiatives. This capital expenditure investment is part of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.'s global fiscal year 2016 capital commitment which was previously announced. 

The combined expansion is expected to generate approximately 3,700 construction jobs, 1,000 store jobs and 300 distribution centre jobs across Canada over the next year. Today's expansion announcement is in addition to the 11 Walmart supercentres which recently opened across Canada in January. 

"Our mission is to provide multiple access points for customers to save money," said Dirk Van den Berghe, President and CEO of Walmart Canada. "We will deliver on this commitment through a range of channels including our expanding network of supercentres, our accelerating e-commerce business, and our in-store pick up services."

Locations of specific store and distribution centre projects will be announced over the coming weeks and months as projects become finalized. The expansion will bring Walmart Canada's store count to 396 by the end of January, 2016, consisting of 309 supercentres and 87 discount stores.

Walmart Canada's supercentres provide unparalleled access to a one-stop shopping experience to save money. They offer as many as 120,000 products ranging from groceries to apparel, home decor and electronics, and many specialty services including pharmacies, garden centres and vision centres. 

Walmart Canada's e-commerce website -- walmart.ca -- offers more than 150,000 products including dry grocery items, electronics, furniture, fitness equipment, barbecues, patio sets, and toys for children of all ages. This site offers a range of services including recently launched Grab & Go Lockers for convenient store pick up.

About Walmart Canada 
Walmart Canada currently operates 394 stores nationwide, consisting of 280 supercentres and 114 discount stores serving more than 1.2 million customers each day. In addition to its stores, Walmart Canada's e-commerce website -- walmart.ca -- is visited by more than 400,000 customers daily.  With more than 95,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of the country's largest employers and has been ranked one of Canada's top 10 most influential brands four years in a row.  Walmart Canada's philanthropy program is focused on helping Canadian families in need, and since 1994 Walmart has donated and raised more than $200 million to Canadian charities. Additional company information can be found at walmartcanada.ca, facebook.com/walmartcanada and at http://www.twitter.com/@walmartcanada.

SOURCE Walmart Canada

Andrew Pelletier, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, Walmart Canada, 905 821-2111, extension 74585; Carol Schumacher, Vice President of Investor Relations, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 479 277-1498