Wal-Mart pushes wholesale in India

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart is planning to open 50 new wholesale outlets and reach out to small traders with online merchandising, after withdrawing from plans for a joint venture in the subcontinent. The stores are slated to open over the next four to five years, joining Wal-Mart’s 20 existing direct-to-retailer operations in India. The country allows foreign companies to own wholesalers outright, in contrast to restrictions on retail ownership which tripped up joint venture efforts.