With its focus on expansions and renovations, discounter Wal-Mart intends opening 150 new or expanded namesake stores in the US in 2009, for which the company to create nearly 22,000 jobs at newer positions - including a number of cashiers, store managers, pharmacists and stock clerks.

Operational changes introduced for cost reduction at Wal-Mart Stores entail a layoff of at least 800 employees at the retailer's headquarters in Bentonville, northwestern Arkansas.