Wal-Mart says to slow store openings, invest more in ecommerce

[London] Wal-Mart Stores, the world's largest retailer, said on Wednesday it would open fewer stores in the US in the next fiscal year and ramp up spending on e-commerce.

The retailer will open 180-200 of its small format stores, called Neighborhood Markets, in the next fiscal year through January 2016, Greg Foran, head of the US business, told a meeting of investors and analysts. That compares with its plan to open 270-300 of the small format stores in the current fiscal year.

Foran said Wal-Mart would open 60-70 Supercenters, its large format store, in the next fiscal year, compared with a plan for 115 openings, including conversions, this year.

Wal-Mart CEO Douglas McMillion told the meeting that the retailer would invest "a bit less than we would in stores" and invest more in e-commerce. REUTERS