Wal-Mart Stores has lined up plans to expand its network in Chile, the US retail giant has confirmed.

The company plans to invest between US$250m and $300m in its Chilean business in 2011.

According to figures from the end of March, Wal-Mart had 282 retail units in Chile, including 121 Ekono supermarkets, 38 Acuenta stores, 53 Lider Express outlets and 68 Lider Hiper stores.

A spokesperson for Wal-Mart’s international business said the investment would focus on its Ekono soft discount outlets and Acuenta hypermarkets.

“The [investment] includes a greater emphasis in the expansion of the formats Acuenta and Ekono, which address segments where supermarket penetration is still low and there is room to grow,” the spokesperson said.

She declined to comment on the number of stores Wal-Mart plans to open this year.

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Wal-Mart entered the Chilean market in 2009 with the acquisition of a majority stake in the country’s largest retailer D&S

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