Wal-Mart Takes Controlling Stake in Seiyu

Tokyo, Japanese supermarket retailer Seiyu has announced that Wal-Mart Stores is raising its stake in Seiyu from 42% to more than 50% by December. The move will turn Seiyu into a Wal-Mart subsidiary and expand Wal-Mart’s foothold in the world’s second largest retail market.

Wal-Mart will purchase up to $597 million worth of $1 billion in new shares issued by Seiyu. The remaining shares will be acquired by a Japanese bank and other investors, according to Seiyu.

Wal-Mart, since arriving in Japan in 2002, has been gradually raising its stake in Seiyu, which operates more than 400 stores.