Wal-Mart Details Florida Hiring And Investment Plans Through January 2018

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Tuesday that it was planning investments in Florida through January 2018 that will create 800 jobs with the opening of nine new stores across the state. The discount retail giant said it also plans to announce in the coming months the official grand opening of its e-commerce distribution center in Davenport, which currently employs over 550 people and has plans to hire at least 1,000 more people over the next year. Separately, the company confirmed plans to begin construction of a new distribution center for perishable goods in Cocoa, which is expected to employ more than 450 people when operational. The stock, which was up 0.4% in midday trade, has climbed 14% year to date, while the SPDR Consumer Staples Select Sector ETF has gained 8.0% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average has advanced 5.9%.