Wal-Mart is planning to boost its overseas presence with the opening of a further 165 new stores, with the UK a key focus.

The retailer is looking to increase its presence in Europe and Asia and its UK operation Asda will be part of the focus. The detail of the store-openings is to be announced next month.

Since buying Asda in 1999, Wal-Mart has expanded the chain from 223 stores to 267.

Lee Scott, Wal-Mart’s chief executive, said it would also be opening around 250 supercentres and 45 discount stores in the US.

Topics