The recent news that Walmart is expanding its Carlton Trail location seems part of a national trend.
The company is in fact in expansion mode right across Canada. Walmart Canada Inc. announced details of those plans Tuesday in a news release.
They include completion of 35 "supercentre" projects in the fiscal year that runs from Feb. 1, 2014 to Jan. 31, 2015.
The company also announced the expansion of its distribution network to support its growth and of its e-commerce operation, walmart.ca.
According to the company's news release, these represent a combined investment of almost $500 million and will include construction of new stores as well as expansion, remodeling and relocation of existing ones.
They estimate investments of over $376 million for store projects, $91 million for distribution network projects to grow Walmart Canada's fresh food capability, and $31 million for e-commerce.Over 7,500 jobs are expected to be created over the next year, including in construction.
It will bring Walmart's store count to 395 overall by the end of Jan. 2015 - 282 supercentres and 113 discount stores. They currently have 389 stores overall of which 247 are supercentres.
Locations for specific store and distribution centre projects are to be announced as specific projects become finalized, the company states in the news release.
Tuesday's announcement from the company comes close on the heels of news from North Battleford City Hall that the local Walmart location has plans to expand.
At council Jan. 13, Building and Licensing Inspector Jerry Wintonyk reported the Walmart location at 601 Carlton Trail was going ahead with a 30,209 square foot addition at that location, for a combined total area of 138,306 square feet.
Wintonyk, who described the building plan as "really good news," indicated the expansion will accommodate a new retail grocery store addition at that location. Over 500 new parking stalls are also planned as part of the project, which will be built on land currently owned by Walmart. The value of the project is estimated at $5.5 million.
