Wal-Mart Plans Expansion in Britain

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. stepped up its assault on British retailers in announcing a plan to add more Asda supermarkets and expand its online services. The world’s largest retailer said it will add 6,000 jobs as part of the expansion, including 1,200 in the Internet and home-shopping unit. The company’s Asda unit, which operates Britain’s third-largest supermarket chain, employs 100,000 people. The Bentonville, Ark.-based company, which now has 232 stores, will open four new outlets and expand eight others to include a broader line of fresh produce as well as nonfood products. A spokesman for Asda said “about 75% of the new jobs will be part-time positions of about 30 hours a week. Wal-Mart slashed prices at its supermarkets last year to capture market share from the leading chains, Tesco and J Sainsbury. Tesco claims to be the largest Internet grocery business in the world. Wal-Mart shares fell $1.25 to close at $67.25 on the NYSE.