Wal-Mart says to slow store openings, invest more in ecommerce

(Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores , the world's largest retailer, said on Wednesday it would open fewer stores in the U.S. in the next fiscal year and ramp up spending on e-commerce. The retailer will open 180-200 of its small format stores, called Neighborhood Markets, in the next fiscal year through January 2016, Greg Foran, head of the U.S. business, told a meeting of investors and analysts. That compares with its plan to open 270-300 of the small format stores in the current fiscal year. Foran said Wal-Mart would open 60-70 Supercenters, its large format store, in the next fiscal year, compared with a plan for 115 openings, including conversions, this year. Wal-Mart CEO Douglas McMillion told the meeting that the retailer would invest "a bit less than we would in stores" and invest more in e-commerce. (Reporting by Nathan Layne; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)