WAL-MART SETS SUPERCENTERS IN NEW STATES

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Next year, Wal-Mart Stores here plans to expand supercenters into five new states -- Delaware, Iowa, Maryland, Ohio and Wisconsin -- Nick White, executive vice president of the supercenter division, told SN.

97. White said it also expects to add 120 more in 1998, though he declined to specify potential new markets.

At least 70% of the proposed supercenters, White noted, would be conversions or relocations of Wal-Mart discount stores. As of Sept. 30, Wal-Mart operated 324 supercenters, with 16 more scheduled to open this year.