wal-mart stores inc., the world)s largest retailer, is buying brazilian chain sonae for 757 million dollars to expand its presence in south america)s largest economy, the company said wednesday, according to dpa. with the purchase, wal-mart will operate 295 stores in brazil, including a recently opened superstore in brasilia, the capital. 'this acquisition reinforces our commitment to brazil,' said mike duke, vice chairman of bensonville, arkansas-based wal-mart. 'we expect to learn a lot from sonae that will help us improve further our business in brazil.' sonae)s operations include 140 hypermarkets, supermarkets and wholesale units with some 20,000 employees in sao paulo state and the southern states of rio grande do sul, santa catarina and parana. in 2004, wal-mart bought the 118-store bompreco chain in brazil from dutch retailer ahold. --spa
