Walmart Canada is ramping up expansion plans for its supercentres–the extra-large locations that combine general merchandise and groceries.
The retail giant says it will open 40 new Canadian supercentres in its upcoming fiscal year starting Feb. 1 through both renovating and relocating some existing stores and constructing new ones.
While the location of the new stores hasn’t been announced yet, the plan will expand the supercentre concept into Manitoba and Quebec, and represents a combined investment of nearly $500 million.
Walmart said the plan could create more than 9,200 jobs in stores and in the construction sector.
The retailer opened its first Canadian supercentres in Ontario in 2006.
At the end of this month it will have 325 stores, of which 124 will be supercentres.
