Thu, 24 May, 2012, 4:14 PM EDT - Canadian Markets closed

Wal-Mart targets Canada with $750M expansion

CBC – Tue, 7 Feb, 2012 12:55 PM EST

Wal-Mart Canada will spend $750 million to add 4.6 million square feet of retail space and 14,000 jobs in Canada this year, a release said Tuesday.

The world's largest retailer plans to complete 73 expansion or renovation projects across Canada this year, which would make it Wal-Mart's busiest year on record in this country.

The jobs estimate combines in-store positions plus construction jobs during store remodellings.

More than half of the planned projects will be to convert 39 former Zellers stores into Wal-Marts after the company bought leaseholds from the discount chain in June 2011.

Wal-Mart, which first set up shop in Canada in 1994, currently has 333 stores across the country and plans to have 375 by January 2013. The company currently employs 85,000 people.

The move is in part a response to the launch of Target stores in Canada. The U.S. discount chain is in the process of converting dozens of Zellers stores into Target locations to open over the spring and summer.

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14 comments

  • r f
    r f  •  Central Okanagan, British Columbia  •  3 months ago
    free parking
  • angel jolie
    angel jolie  •  3 months ago
    It helps the economy going. Walmart USA are offering free home delivery for grocery items if you buy $45. up. Why not in Canada? I hope Walmart will do the same. Because it is very convenient especially, their were many seniors who are not capable to go shopping. In the US, if I want to buy groceries for my Dad(he is 88 yo) I just order through on line. Very convenient because they delivered the goods on time. More outlet of Walmart to add will be very convenient to customers. I hope the price will be more competitive and affordable.
  • ♥Bettsy♥
    ♥Bettsy♥  •  3 months ago
    I will be impressed when there is a certification on all their products that they are NON-TOXIC. You can count on any electronic you buy breaking within 3 months and I am so glad I'm past raising babies...would not want my kids playing or eating or chewing on anything that is sold in stores nowadays....and soya in formula? SERIOUSLY? Come on moms....stretch those boobies out for your kids sake and have hubby spring for a nip-tuck later....your kids' health is worth it.
  • ♥Bettsy♥
    ♥Bettsy♥  •  3 months ago
    So....Target got first pick at all the Zeller's stores they wanted....and the rest, that they did not want, are going to Wal-Mart....don't be surprised to find out these two stores are one and the same....kissing cousins I would bet.
  • Economics is a form of br ...
    Economics is a form of br ...  •  3 months ago
    "Adding" 14000 jobs really means sucking the life out of community businesses and replacing better quality jobs in those businesses with low-paid part time jobs. Most analyses say that a net loss of jobs will occur. Just more Mal-Wart propaganda here.
    • Send Tomee
      Send Tomee 3 months ago
      no one will quit a good job to work at Wal Mart, but those that don't have one at all will be thankful.
    • Economics is a form of br ...
      Economics is a form of br ... 3 months ago
      Yeah, we should be thankful that Canada is rapidly becoming a Third World country all right. Who cares about quality jobs anyway?
  • Unbiased
    Unbiased  •  3 months ago
    Great. A bunch of minimum wage part-time jobs, and crappy Chinese products.
    Just what Canada needs.
    • Send Tomee
      Send Tomee 3 months ago
      if it didn't sell they wouldn't expand
    • Economics is a form of br ...
      Economics is a form of br ... 3 months ago
      It sells because it seems so cheap (and crappy), wears out quickly and needs replacing, so sells more. It's time to break the cycle, spend a bit more up front, and get away from the false economy of shoddy goods.
  • skihound
    skihound  •  3 months ago
    Don't you mean 14,000 part time jobs?
    • Send Tomee
      Send Tomee 3 months ago
      Did you miss something? I was in english.
  • Chen
    Chen  •  Toronto, Ontario  •  3 months ago
    that is an indicator of deteriorating Canada economy
  • Kakee Swinseen
    Kakee Swinseen  •  Burlington, Ontario  •  3 months ago
    lol dont even bother applying... you will become another minimum wage SLAVE.
    THE OWNERS will get even more rich off all your hard work.
  • seadrifter
    seadrifter  •  Brampton, Ontario  •  3 months ago
    A bad joke
  • Ed Black
    Ed Black  •  Toronto, Ontario  •  3 months ago
    Hurray I get to have a blue vest!
  • Ed Black
    Ed Black  •  Toronto, Ontario  •  3 months ago
    More needless stores...yes I can shop at 5 stores at the same time!
  • Ed Black
    Ed Black  •  Toronto, Ontario  •  3 months ago
    Hurray more cheap junk to buy that I don't need.
  • Economics is a form of br ...
    Economics is a form of br ...  •  3 months ago
    So we create a few temporary jobs in construction this year. Next year we will have to create more temporary jobs for these workers and for all the new workers too as population increases. Talk about treading water, and never getting ahead.
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