U.S. retail giant Walmart to open first branded stores in Africa.

U.S. retail giant Walmart said on Tuesday it will launch its first Walmart-branded stores in South Africa this year, expanding its presence in the country where it already owns local retail group Massmart.

While Walmart has operated in South Africa for years through its fully owned subsidiary Massmart, which runs chains like Makro, Game, and Builders Warehouse, it has never launched stores bearing its own name.

This move places Walmart squarely against leading South African chains such as Shoprite, Woolworths, and Pick n Pay.