Walmart Statement on China Store Closings

SHENZHEN, ChinaWalmart China issued a statement regarding recent store closures in China. The company was ordered to close several stores in Chongqing because of the mislabeling of pork products. The Chongqing Administration of Industry and Commerce says Walmart mislabeled regular pork as green," or organic, pork.

The statement follows:

We were officially directed earlier today by the Chongqing Administration of Industry and Commerce (AIC) to temporarily close some of our stores in Chongqing for a period of 15 days.

We believe the closure has come about as a result of a recent investigation in some of our stores in Chongqing due to the green pork" incident by which the rights of consumers were infringed.

We have fully cooperated with the investigation and focused upon the fastest implementation of corrections suggested by the local AIC. Some Walmart associates have been detained by the Chongqing Public Security Bureau (PSB). Walmart China is cooperating fully with the PSB and doing everything possible to conclude the investigation.

A taskforce from Walmart China headquarters was sent to Chongqing to work closely with the respective stores and the local officials of the AIC immediately after notification of the investigation several days ago. They are leading the Walmart commitment to ensuring our stores in Chongqing follow Walmarts strict inspection and management policies and taking all necessary steps to ensure this does not recur. Walmart is committed to protecting the rights of consumers and will spare no efforts in this regard.

The closure of the stores in Chongqing for the next 15 days will allow us time to focus on implementing corrective actions.

Walmart is an important part of the Chongqing community, and we care deeply about the well being of the community with over 3000 of our own associates living and working in Chongqing. We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience this may cause our customers and are even more determined to meet the service expectations they have of us."