(Yicai Global) Aug. 19 -- Walmart intends to add another 100 stores in Guangdong, China, over the next five years as it looks to support development of the province through which it first entered the country.

The new stores will include Sam's Clubs, shopping malls and shops in residential communities, the Arkansas-based firm said on Aug. 16, adding that it will also set up cloud-based warehouses for the branches.

Walmart opened its first China store in Shenzhen, Guangdong, in 1996, and now has over 400 physical shops across the country.

The firm penned an agreement with the provincial government in 2017 and in March this year it completed its largest investment in China to date -- a distribution center for fresh foods in Dongguan. The facility cost more than CNY700 million (USD99.4 million) and serves over 100 brick-and-mortar shops.

Its newest store format, outlets in residential communities, debuted in Guangdong last year. It also set up a mini app for home deliveries in 2019, allowing Chinese consumers to order their shopping and have it arrive at their door in just an hour.

Editor: James Boynton