---

[ FAST FACTS HAWAII ]

---

BACK TO TOP
|

Wal-Mart may invest in Daiei

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it may invest in Japan's No. 3 retailer, Daiei Inc., to expand its presence in Asia.

Wal-Mart hired Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein to review investment opportunities after Daiei said it's pursuing restructuring alternatives, Wal-Mart said in an e-mailed statement.

The Arkansas-based discount retailer has been opening stores overseas to increase sales and profit as finding new locations in the U.S. becomes more difficult over the next decade. The retailer has a 37 percent stake in Tokyo-based Seiyu Ltd. and has an option to buy as much as two-thirds in 2007.

"Our first priority is the development of our existing alliance with Seiyu," the company said. But "we remain interested in considering additional growth opportunities that might arise" in Japan.