article-59525.xml

Mexico City Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB said Tuesday it plans to open 205 new stores and restaurants this year, expanding its total installed capacity by 12.6%.

The expansion plans include developing the "Mi Bodega Express" format, chief executive Eduardo Solorzano told analysts gathered at the company's Mexico City headquarters.

He described the format as more of a neighborhood store than a convenience store and said the results of two such existing stores have been encouraging.

The 2008 expansion plan also includes 17 Wal-Mart Supercenters, 79 Bodega Aurrera stores and 30 VIPs restaurants.