Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has put on hold its controversial plans to build the state's first "supercenter" store in HIlo.

The Bentonville, Ark., retailer said the move was part of a corporate strategy to rein in growth to improve returns, productivity and sales.

The company's plans to expand its current Hilo store to a supercenter spurred several County Council bills to ban the large-format stores, but none of the measures has passed.

Citing a corporate change in strategy, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced yesterday it is putting plans to expand its Hilo store into a "supercenter" on hold.

The decision stems from the Bentonville, Ark., company's recent strategy of scaling back growth to improve returns, productivity and sales within U.S. stores.

"This decision does not affect our current stores and we remain committed to providing the best opportunity for the people on the Big Island to get the most out of their hard earned dollar," said Wal-Mart public affairs manager Kevin Loscotoff in a press release. "We have a good relationship with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) and we are looking forward to continuing that relationship."

Loscotoff added that Hilo is a good place to do business.

Wal-Mart currently owns and operates eight discount stores in the state, including Hilo and Kailua-Kona, and two Sam's Clubs. The Hilo supercenter would have been Wal-Mart's first in the state.

Full Story: http://starbulletin.com/2007/11/21/business/story03.html