OREANDA-NEWS. Walmart Canada announced today that it plans to complete 29 supercentre projects in the company's fiscal year which runs from February 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016. The company announced it will also expand its distribution network this year to support its food and e-commerce growth in Canada, and will continue to expand and enhance its e-commerce website, walmart.ca.

Total capital spending for the projects is expected to be approximately CAD 340 million in the Canadian economy this year. This will include approximately CAD 230 million for supercentre projects including the remodeling and expansion of several stores to add full grocery departments, CAD 75 million for additional distribution centres to grow the company's fresh food and e-commerce capacity, and CAD 35 million for additional e-commerce initiatives. This capital expenditure investment is part of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.'s global fiscal year 2016 capital commitment which was previously announced.

The combined expansion is expected to generate approximately 3,700 construction jobs, 1,000 store jobs and 300 distribution centre jobs across Canada over the next year. Today's expansion announcement is in addition to the 11 Walmart supercentres which recently opened across Canada in January.

"Our mission is to provide multiple access points for customers to save money," said Dirk Van den Berghe, President and CEO of Walmart Canada. "We will deliver on this commitment through a range of channels including our expanding network of supercentres, our accelerating e-commerce business, and our in-store pick up services."

Locations of specific store and distribution centre projects will be announced over the coming weeks and months as projects become finalized. The expansion will bring Walmart Canada's store count to 396 by the end of January, 2016, consisting of 309 supercentres and 87 discount stores.

Walmart Canada's supercentres provide unparalleled access to a one-stop shopping experience to save money. They offer as many as 120,000 products ranging from groceries to apparel, home decor and electronics, and many specialty services including pharmacies, garden centres and vision centres.

Walmart Canada's e-commerce website-walmart.ca-offers more than 150,000 products including dry grocery items, electronics, furniture, fitness equipment, barbecues, patio sets, and toys for children of all ages. This site offers a range of services including the recently launched Grab & Go Lockers for convenient store pick up.