Walmart Canada announces massive investment in its Canadian operations
Walmart Canada is planning a significant expansion in its Canadian operations, announcing it will spend $6.5 billion over the coming five year to build news stores and strengthen its supply chain.
This new investment follows upon a $3.5 billion investment in Canada the company announced in 2020, that had its modernizing more than 180 stores and opening four new stores, two in Victoria, B.C. (Hillside) and Montreal, Quebec (Marché Central), and two relocated stores in Edmonton, Alberta (Kingsway) and Vaughan, Ontario
The company said this new investment will begin with the building of five new Supercentres in Ontario and Alberta by 2027. These include the Port Credit Walmart Supercentre to be in Mississauga, Ontario and expected to open in 2025 and The Oakville Walmart Supercentre at Hopedale Mall expected to open in late 2025.
Three new Alberta Supercentres are expected to open by 2027 in Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray. As well Walmart Canada said in the spring of this year will see the opening of the Vaughan Distribution Centre that Walmart Canada says will be its most advanced facility.
Walmart Canada on making these announcements said, “we're investing in modernizing our distribution centres as part of our mission to expand, revolutionize and transform our best-in-class supply chain to better serve our associates and Canadian customers.”
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"Walmart Canada is on an ambitious growth journey to serve even more Canadians—better and differently than ever before. This $6.5 billion investment is the largest we've made in Canada towards expanding our footprint since we first arrived here 30 years ago," said Gui Loureiro, regional CEO, Walmart Canada, Chile, Mexico and Central America. "And as Gonzalo Gebara finishes his last few weeks as President & CEO of Walmart Canada, before returning home to Argentina, I want to thank him for his strong leadership and vision in driving these growth plans."
Along with the expansion of its retail footprint and supply chain, Walmart Canada signed an agreement with Canada Cartage—the country's largest provider of fleet services to buy Walmart Canada's fleet business.
"Canada Cartage has deep expertise in providing dedicated fleet services and has been serving Canadian businesses for more than 110 years," said Matt Kelly, vice-president of supply chain, Walmart Canada. "Through Canada Cartage we can serve customers even better and more flexibly and provide fleet employees with exciting growth opportunities at one of Canada's largest and most trusted supply chain service providers."
"Across the country we're making strategic investments in our online and in-store offerings to be more relevant to more customers than ever before. From newcomers and urbanites to higher-income Canadians, more customers are choosing Walmart for their shopping needs," said Joe Schrauder, chief operations officer, Walmart Canada.
