Wal-Mart says hiring execs to evaluate store formats

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is hiring middle-management level executives to help evaluate the type of stores that it operates ahead of the arrival of British grocery Tesco (TSCO.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) to the United States.

But the world's largest retailer said it would be "wrong to speculate" on what those job openings might mean for future M&A activity.

Earlier on Monday, the Financial Times reported the retailer was considering acquisitions in the United States, citing a Wal-Mart job posting for an executive to assess the "strategic implications of any possible M&A on our overall portfolio."

Wal-Mart spokesman John Simley said, "Two months ago we posted a number of middle-management level positions to evaluate our existing formats to achieve better customer relevance. It would be wrong to speculate how that might translate to future M&A activity."

Tesco is preparing to open its "Fresh & Easy" neighborhood grocery markets in the U.S. later this year, and many are waiting to see if Wal-Mart will introduce a new, smaller store concept to compete with the Tesco stores.

Tesco is seeking to woo U.S. shoppers with smaller convenience stores of around 10,000 square feet emphasizing ready-to-eat meals and fresh produce in areas that are underserved by supermarket and grocery store chains.

In the U.S., Wal-Mart currently operates its namesake discount stores that average 107,000 square feet; its "Supercenters" that average 187,000 square feet and combine general merchandise with groceries; and its smaller "Neighborhood Markets" that average 42,000 square feet and sell groceries, pharmaceuticals and general merchandise.

It also operates its Sam's Club warehouse division.

On Wal-Mart's Web site is a job posting from July 26 for a "Senior Director Multi-Format Strategy."