A day after the BJP manifesto opposed FDI in multi-brand retail, Walmart India, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Bentonville-based Walmart Stores, said it would open 50 cash-and-carry stores over the next four to five years. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is tipped by pollsters to head the new government at the Centre.

The company also said that it planned to launch a B2B e-commerce platform for members of Best Price Modern Wholesale Stores. Walmart India said that it would continue to invest in its supply chain infrastructure and supplier development.

As an exclusive virtual store for its members, the e-commerce platform will provide a similar assortment of products, as well as special items, a company statement said.

Scott Price, President and CEO, Walmart Asia, said, “We will continue to focus on the cash-and-carry format as we are very happy with the way it has shaped up in the last few years. The format is also poised to grow in India and we would like to serve the growing customer base by opening 50 new stores over the next four-five years and extend the e-commerce platform to our cash-and-carry members with a virtual shopping opportunity.”

Price said the company was evaluating, reinforcing procedures and programmes relating to all compliance areas, including licensing and permits, food safety, and responsible sourcing among others. Walmart India currently operates 20 Best Price Modern Wholesale stores in eight States. The first store opened in Amritsar in May 2009.

In October last year, Walmart Inc and Bharti Group, its joint venture partner of six years, parted ways. Walmart had acquired Bharti’s 50 per cent stake in the joint venture, giving the US retailer 100 per cent holding in the cash and carry venture. Later, the world’s largest retailer appointed Krish Iyer to head its India operations.

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