BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores here yesterday said it would continue to ratchet back its domestic growth plans for the coming year, adding only 170 supercenters to its arsenal and opening no new traditional discount stores at all. In its annual analyst conference yesterday, the world’s largest retailer also said it would open 25 new Neighborhood Markets, its traditional supermarket format, and 25 Sam’s Club membership stores. The planned supercenter openings mark the second straight year of slowing growth for that concept, which is on pace to add 195 outlets in the current fiscal year ending in January. In 2009 (Wal-Mart’s fiscal 2010), the company plans further reductions, with only 140 supercenters planned. International growth will continue at a faster pace, and overall capital expenditures are projected to flatten or decline slightly from the $15 billion projected for this year.
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