The world's largest retailer, Walmart Stores, announced on Tuesday that it will build about 30 new stores and more distribution centers in China this year.
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The U.S. retailer said it will continue to develop businesses in the country's big cities. And more Supercenters will be built in third- and fourth-tier cities to serve emerging consumers amid China's urbanization drive.
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Walmart also plans to open two new branches of its Sam's Club chain of membership-only retail warehouses, in Wuhan of central China's Hubei Province and Changzhou City in east China's Jiangsu Province, this year.
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Sean Clarke, the incoming president and CEO of Walmart China, said Sam's Club has great potential, being particularly attractive to the growing number of middle and high-income shoppers.
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The retailer also decided to invest 580 million CNY (about 94 million USD) to upgrade about 55 old outlets, aiming to improve operating performance and customer experiences.
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Clarke said Walmart has been enhancing operational efficiency to lower costs while ensuring product quality and safety.
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Last October, Walmart announced it would speed up development in China in the next three years by opening 110 stores and distribution centres and creating 19,000 new jobs.Â