Development/Redevelopment

MEXICO CITY - Wal-Mart de Mexico (Walmex) plans to invest 6 billion pesos ($663 million) in 67 new units over the next 18 months, Reuters reports.

AUSTIN, Texas - Whole Foods Market Inc., the world's largest natural and organic foods supermarket company, on Wednesday reported that sales for the first quarter ended Jan. 20, 2002 increased 21 percent over the prior year.

TOKYO - Daiei Inc, Japan's largest supermarket operator, said today it aims to cut 1,400 jobs in its parent company through voluntary retirement, Reuters reports.

LAKELAND, Fla. - Publix Super Markets has opened two new convenience stores, branded as "Pix," in Florida, The Lakeland Ledger reports.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Wal-Mart Puerto Rico announced today that it has acquired Supermercados Amigo, the number one supermarket chain in Puerto Rico.

ATLANTA - Winn-Dixie has confirmed that it will convert some of its 40 or so local stores in Atlanta to SaveRite Grocery Warehouses, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

TROY, Mich. - Kmart Corp. on Thursday said it expects to announce which stores it will close as part of its turnaround effort by at a March 20 bankruptcy hearing, The Associated Press reports.

TRENTON, N.J. - Toys R Us Inc. plans to close 64 stores and eliminate 1,900 jobs as part of a plan to cut costs and boost profits, The Associated Press reports. The company also said it is phasing in new designs in some stores and testing new concepts.