Wal-Mart to add 22,000 jobs in ’09

Bentonville, Ark. Wal-Mart Stores said Wednesday it expects to hire about 22,000 people for new positions in its U.S. stores in 2009. The chain said the new positions would be in all levels of retail operation, including cashiers, sales associates, store management and pharmacists.

Last October, Wal-Mart announced plans to open 157 to 177 new or expanded stores and clubs during the current 2010 fiscal year in the United States.

Wal-Mart is holding its annual shareholders meeting on Friday, and employees from its stores around the world are spending the week at company headquarters in Bentonville, Ark.