Wal-Mart continues to grow

Bentonville-based Wal-Mart says it plans to open or expand 40 to 45 discount stores and 240 to 250 Supercenters in the United States next year. The announcement signals that the world`s largest retailer is continuing its aggressive expansion plan. Relocations or expansions of current stores will account for about 160 of the new Supercenters, which sell both discounted general merchandise and groceries. Wal-Mart also expects to open 30 to 40 new Sam`s Club warehouse stores, including about 20 relocations or expansions of existing stores. It also plans to expand its grocery-store chain, Neighborhood Market, by 25 to 30 new stores. Internationally, Wal-Mart said it expects to open 155 to 165 new stores, including 30 current stores that will be either relocated or expanded. The expansion plan will start at the beginning of the company`s next fiscal year on February first, 2005.