Real Estate

TOKYO - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will raise its stake in Japanese supermarket operator Seiyu Ltd. to 34 percent from 6.1 percent, making it Seiyu's largest shareholder, Dow Jones Newswire reports.

SAN JUAN - Wal-Mart has filed suit against the Puerto Rican justice department to prevent it from blocking the retail chain's acquisition of a local supermarket chain, The Associated Press reports.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets Inc. plans to open three large new Memphis-area stores with additional neighborhood retail centers in 2004, according to a report in The Commercial Appeal, a Memphis newspaper.

DALLAS - Fleming Cos. Inc. on Thursday said it agreed to sell three Rainbow Foods stores in Wisconsin to Roundy's Inc. for an undisclosed sum. Dallas-based Fleming also said it is in advanced talks to sell eight other Rainbow Foods stores in Wisconsin.

LONDON - Retailer Marks & Spencer said Monday it was broadening its search for a buyer for its Kings Super Markets chain and would consider selling the U.S. business to someone outside the retail industry.

ONTARIO, Canada - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Friday announced plans to expand its presence in the Canadian market, saying it will spend $100 million to open as many as six Sam's Club warehouse-type stores in Ontario, The Globe and Mail reports.

Publix Super Markets is eyeing 15 to 30 stores in the Nashville, Tenn., area, according to industry experts and published reports.

November 21, 2002 - Quad City, IA -- The Hy-Vee supermarket chain plans to spend $190 million next year on expansion, adding new grocery stores, liquor stores and gas stations.