Wal-Mart’s international division may be due for expansion, with Japan and China the most likely target for the US supermarket giant. The division is believed to be scouting for sites in both countries and has been active in recruiting employees, according to press reports coming out of the region.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Wal-Mart will reportedly announce its Japanese subsidiary this summer and could be ready to open its first store as early as 2002. International retailers, Boots, Costco and Carrefour recently opened stores in Japan, and Wal-Mart are understandably interested in capturing the market.


China’s entry into the WTO will open up the market there further, and Wal-Mart expects to double its presence from eleven to twenty two stores. The company also has a footing in South Korea.

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact