Wal-Mart announces future growth plans

 Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, announced that its global square footage will increase by about 7.5 percent during fiscal 2008, which begins February 2007. However, capital spending during that period will increase by 2-4 percent, which is down from the 15- to 20-percent increase forecast for fiscal 2007.

Wal-Mart plans to open more than 600 new locations worldwide next year, which will add approximately 60 million square feet.

Supercenters are expected to be the primary driver for expansion in the United States , with the retailer opening 265-270 of them for the fiscal year.

Expansion internationally will come in a variety of formats, from large units to smaller locations.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that Wal-Mart will purchase 100 supercenter stores from the Taiwanese company Trust-Mart for about $1 billion.

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For more: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 702 S.W. Eighth St., Bentonville, AR 72716-8611; (800) 925-6278; www.walmart.com.