Wal-Mart Competition

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- John Menzer,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Wal-Mart International announced
today the purchase of a 33-1/3 percent interest in Central American Retail
Holding Company (CARHCO).
    CARHCO is Central America's largest retailer, with 363 supermarkets and
other stores in the following five countries:  Guatemala (120), El Salvador
(57), Honduras (32), Nicaragua (30) and Costa Rica (124).  CARHCO has
approximately 23,000 associates.  Its sales during 2004 were approximately
$2.0 billion.
    Wal-Mart acquired its interest in CARHCO from the Dutch retailer Royal
Ahold NV. The purchase price was not disclosed.  CARHCO was formed as a joint
venture in 2001 with three equal partners:  Ahold and two Central American
groups: the Paiz family, the major shareholders of La Fragua, with
headquarters in Guatemala, and Corporacion de Supermercados Unidos (CSU), with
headquarters in Costa Rica.

For more information about Wal-Mart Competition go to:  www.michaelbergdahl.net

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