One Wal-Mart closes, another opens

Major retailer closes underperforming stores

Grocery+store+giant+Wal-Mart+is+in+the+process+of+closing+close+to+300+underperforming+stores%2C+while+opening+300+more+supercenters+soon.+

Haley Flores

Grocery store giant Wal-Mart is in the process of closing close to 300 underperforming stores, while opening 300 more supercenters soon.

Haley Flores, Guest Contributor

Wal-Mart is in the process of closing 269 stores nationwide, while at the same time planning to open numerous supercenters, including two in Frisco, one at the intersection of Custer and 121. The retailer is closing many of its underperforming stores including the one on Legacy Drive which closed Jan. 17.

Closing stores is never an easy decision, but it is necessary to keep the company strong and positioned for the future,” Wal-Mart President and CEO Doug McMillion said via Wal-Mart’s website. “It’s important to remember that we’ll open well more than 300 stores around the world next year. So we are committed to growing, but we are being disciplined about it.”

Wal-Mart is planning on opening 300 more stores to make up for the many they have closed recently. 62 employees were laid off their jobs due to the closings of the stores and it is predicted that 16,000 associates will be affected because of the many closings of the stores.
“The decision to close stores is difficult and we care about the associates who will be impacted,” McMillon said via Wal-Mart’s website. “We invested considerable time assessing our stores and clubs and don’t take this lightly. We are supporting those impacted with extra pay and support, and we will take all appropriate steps to ensure they are treated well.”