Walmart to expand operations in UP

Cash and carry major Walmart is looking at expanding operations in Uttar Pradesh by launching new stores in important towns in near future.

The company already operates four stores in Lucknow, Agra and Meerut, while it is planning to open new stores in other urban centres, including Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Moradabad, Gorakhpur etc.

"Over the next 5-7 years, we are confident of opening 15-20 stores in UP. Lucknow alone needs 2-3 more stores," Walmart India CEO Krish Iyer told Business Standard here.

He said the new stores would be spread over an area of roughly 50,000 sq ft.

Currently, Walmart has a network of 21 outlets under the 'Best Price' modern wholesale stores in nine states across India and plans to ramp up the total number to 70 in the next few years.

"Our main focus is to catering the small retailers, hotels, offices, restaurants, institutions etc in the towns we serve," he underlined.

Recently, its rival Metro Cash & Carry India had launched its first store in Lucknow.

The company procures farm produce, commodities, staples and food items in the local market to hawked at its local store, he informed.