Walmart China eyes up to 40 new stores

Walmart Stores says it plans opening between 30 and 40 new stores in China this year.

Included in that number will be up to five new Sam’s Club outlets.

While Walmart achieved a solid performance in its home market last year, its international operations – especially in the UK, are struggling.

In China, Walmart is seeking to develop new retail models to cater to consumers’ changing shopping habits.

Walmart China will invest a further RMB300 million (US$43.4 million) in upgrading and refurbishing about 50 of its existing stores and improving its supply chain operation.

“We will move faster to improve the overall customer experience and continue our strategic alliance with JD.com and to strengthen omni-channel approach,” said Dirk Van den Berghe, president and CEO of Walmart Asia and China.

Last year, Walmart China opened 24 new stores: 21 hypermarkets and 3 Sam’s Club stores.

The company said its average basket size in China increased by 5.4 per cent in the quarter ended January and same-store sales rose 2.3 per cent.