Walmart to invest US$ 1.3 billion
O Estado de S. Paulo
The President of Walmart Brasil, Héctor Núñez, announced yesterday, in São Paulo, that the company will invest between R$ 2 billion (US$ 1.2 billion) and R$ 2.2 billion (US$ 1.3 billion) in 2010. According to him, the investments will be intended for the opening of 100 to 110 stores. "It is the biggest investment in 14 years in Brazil", he said. The Walmart operations in the Country are, together with those in China and India, among those receiving most funds from the American headquarters. The chain announces its record investment plan in the year in which Grupo Pão de Açúcar took control of Casas Bahia and Ponto Frio, which gave it the leadership in the Brazilian retail.
According to the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (Abras), in 2008 Walmart was in third place in sales, with R$ 16.9 billion (US$ 9.2 billion), behind Carrefour, with R$ 22.4 billion (US$ 12.2 billion). As for the Grupo Pão de Açúcar, accounting the acquisitions, sales were nearly R$ 40 billion (US$ 23.3 billion) in 2008. In 2009, Walmart invested R$ 1.6 billion (US$ 930.2 million) in the opening of 90 stores. The focus of the openings were the Todo Dia brand, aimed at the public of the C and D classes, and the Maxxi Atacado one. The forecast of Walmart is to end the year with more than 430 stores spread throughout 18 States and the Federal District. "Brazil has great relevance for Walmart. In 2010, the investment will be the biggest one in the world", said Núñez.
The focus of the new store continues being the Todo Dia and Maxxi Atacado brands. "Our investments will be 40% bigger in 2010", he said. The expectation of the Executive is that 10 thousand jobs should be generated with the new units. "Currently, there are 60 million active consumers in Brazil and we hope this number will double within five years. Our investments are intended to cater to all social classes", he said.
Núñez pointed out that in the last four years Walmart invested more than R$ 4.5 billion (US$ 2.6 billion) in the Country. In 2009, 91 new stores were opened, 70 of which intended for the low-income population. Walmart will end the year with 435 units in 18 States and the Federal District. According to executive, the company seeks, in the expansion plan, to be in all Brazilian States within the coming years.