Shanghai, July 19 - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) isn't in talks with Beijing Hualian Hypermarket Co. (600361.SH) to invest in the Chinese supermarket chain, Beijing Hualian said Thursday.
"We haven't had any contact with Wal-Mart," said a staff member at Beijing Hualian's investor relations department, citing Board Secretary Niu Xiaohua.
U.K. newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday that Wal-Mart was examining a deal to invest in Beijing Hualian, and that the two parties have already had preliminary talks.
Beijing Hualian Hypermarket Co. (600361.SH) is the Shanghai-listed unit of Beijing Hualian Group, one of China's largest supermarket and department store operators.