Wall-Mart Pluit opens

JAKARTA (JP): U.S. retail chain Wal-Mart opened a four-story supercenter in North Jakarta's Megamal Pluit yesterday.

The store is managed by PT Multipolar Corporation, a Lippo Group subsidiary, which has a franchise agreement with Wal-Mart.

PT Multipolar Corporation president director Winardi Setiaputra said he was proud of the success of the first Wal-Mart supercenter, which opened last August in the Lippo Supermal, Karawaci.

He said products sold at the 17,108-square-meter Wal-Mart supercenter were cheaper than at other stores.

The opening ceremony was attended by Lippo Group deputy chairman James T. Riady, Wal-Mart International Division chief operating officer John Lupo and Wal-Mart Asia president and chief operating officer Joe Hatfield.

The store sells many items including groceries, family apparel, health and beauty products, electronics, jewelry and toys among other products. Eighty-five percent of products are made locally.

The supercenter brings Megamal Pluit's real occupation rate to 97 percent, up from 90 percent. (ste)