Walmart announced plans Thursday to build dozens of new Canadian stores over the next five years as part of a $6.5-billion investment in the country.

Walmart Canada also announced that it has agreed to sell its fleet-services business to Canada Cartage for an undisclosed price and utilize the company’s delivery services.

“Walmart Canada is on an ambitious growth journey to serve even more Canadians – better and differently than ever before,” said Gui Loureiro, regional CEO for Walmart in Canada, Chile, Mexico and Central America. “This $6.5-billion investment is the largest we’ve made in Canada towards expanding our footprint since we first arrived here 30 years ago.” 

The expansion program will begin with the openings of five new supercentres in Ontario and Alberta by 2027.

Meanwhile, the U.S.-based company is preparing to open new supercentres in Mississauga, Ont., and Oakville, Ont., along with a distribution centre in Vaughan, Ont., in 2025. The three cities are part of the Greater Toronto Area.

Walmart also expects to open three new supercentres in Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray, Alta., by 2027.

The global retail giant said it has also concluded a $3.5-billion Canadian investment program that began in 2020. That effort has included the modernization of 180 stores, along with store and warehouse-and-distribution facility openings in B.C., Alberta, Ontario (specifically the GTA), Quebec and the Maritimes.