Walmart is to invest $500 million in the development of 35 new supercentres and an improved distribution network in Canada, creating more than 7,500 jobs.

The investment includes more than $376 million for store projects, $91 million for distribution networks to expand fresh food capability and $31 million for e-commerce projects.

Walmart's expansion plan comes a week after Target said it would open nine new stores across Canada, adding to the 124 it opened last year.

Over the past year US retailers such as Walmart and Target have expanded in Canada, posing a threat to local retailers such as Loblaw Cos , the country’s largest grocer, and Empire’s Sobeys grocery chain.

Walmart said it planned to complete 35 supercentre projects in Canada by January 31, 2015, adding one million square feet of retail space.

Walmart’s store count in Canada will rise to 395 by the end of January 2015, including 282 supercentres and 113 discount stores, the retailer said.

The locations of stores and distribution centre projects will be announced later, the company said.

Reuters