Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart has confirmed it plans to invest between US$250m and US$300m in Chile this year.

A spokesperson said there would be a 'greater emphasis on the expansion of the Acuenta and Ekono formats, which address segments where supermarket penetration is still low and there is room to grow.'

The latest figures show Wal-Mart has 282 retail units in the South American country, including 121 Ekono supermarkets, 53 Lider Express outlets, 68 Lider Hiper stores and 38 Acuenta stores.

Wal-Mart entered Chile in 2009, when it took a major stake in D&S, the nation's largest retailer.