Walmart closes 269 stores, 60 in Brazil

The American chain Wal-Mart distribution announced on Friday it would close 269 supermarkets in the world, 60 of them in Brazil and 55 in the rest of Latin America, a decision that will affect 16,000 employees.The United States is the most affected country with 154 supermarkets, including among them 102 minors, "Wal-Mart Express", who were on trial since 2011.The number one distribution world, which manages 11,600 shops worldwide, of which 4,700 on American soil, said that renounces the project to attract a demanding clientele and do not want to spend much time at the supermarket.Of the 115 Wal-Mart stores that will be closed outside the United States, 60 are in Brazil, the company said, "lose money". These supermarkets account for 5% of Wal-Mart's sales in the country.The company said it will soon give more details about the closure of its stores in the rest of Latin America.Of the 16,000 affected employees, 10,000 work in the United States. In Brazil, Wal-Mart says it has transferred a large part of employees to other supermarkets.Wal-Mart must publish its next quarterly results on 18 February.