Walmart Canada investing $6.5B to expand distribution network, add new stores

Walmart Canada is committing $6.5 billion over the next five years to expand its Canadian footprint, modernizing its supply chain and adding new stores.

The company will open its new Vaughan Distribution Centre this spring, calling it its “most advanced facility.”

“Walmart Canada is on an ambitious growth journey to serve even more Canadians – better and differently than ever before,” said Gui Loureiro, regional CEO for Walmart Canada, Chile, Mexico and Central America.

As part of its expansion, Walmart Canada has signed an agreement to sell its fleet business to Canada Cartage, which will take over its dedicated transportation operations.

The retailer will also open dozens of stores nationwide, starting with five new Supercentres in Ontario and Alberta by 2027. The first, in Port Credit, Ont., is set to open in summer 2025, followed by an Oakville location later that year. Three more stores will be built in Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray.

The announcement comes as the company concludes a $3.5-billion investment launched in 2020 that included store renovations, new locations and multiple distribution centres.

Walmart Canada says it is also investing in its workforce, putting nearly $200 million toward wage increases for frontline employees in 2024.