‘Difficult’ for Wal-Mart to open store here, says vice-president

OPENING a Wal-Mart store in Ireland would be very difficult, according to a senior executive of the world’s biggest retailer, which has annual sales of $256 billion and 1.5 million employees in more than 5,000 outlets.

Wal-Mart USA executive vice-president Tom Coughlin made the comment to reporters at the Bord Bia-organised Marketplace Ireland event at Croke Park in Dublin yesterday, but said he did not have direct responsibility for such developments.

Mr Coughlin said future sales growth at Wal-Mart will be driven by large regional supercentres with satellite hubs providing in-fill shopping opportunities.