US retail giant, Walmart, says it will invest $C500 million ($A515.73 million) this year into growth in Canada, with the aim of completing 35 supercentre projects by early 2015.

The aggressive expansion program will generate some 7500 jobs, mainly in construction, the company said on Tuesday.

Walmart will put $C376 million into transforming and enlarging existing stores and also add 35 supercentres, which carry some 100,000 products.

The other funds will go to distribution network improvements and online sales development.

The investment program will bring Walmart’s stores and outlets in Canada to 395, 282 of which will be supercentres.

The aggressive expansion, together with a previous large investment plan for Canada recently announced by Walmart rival target, boosts the challenge to home-grown Canadian chains like Loblaw, Sobeys and Metro.

Earlier this week, the chain warned of its fourth quarter profit, claiming bad weather and cuts in food stamp support for the poor would hit earnings for its November-January fourth quarter.

AFP