41.   Wal-Mart joins a lineup of hopeful international retailers that already includes U.S. membership-warehouse store Costco Wholesale Corp. and French supermarket operator Carrefour SA.

42.   Yaohan Japan Corp., a medium-sized regional supermarket chain operator, filed for court protection from its creditor Thursday, a credit research agency said.

43.   Yaohan Japan Corp., a medium-sized regional supermarket chain operator, filed for court protection from its creditors Thursday.

44.   The struggling supermarket chain operator may also receive low-interest loans from the state-run Development Bank of Japan.

45.   Troubled supermarket chain operator Daiei Inc. said it would release a three-year restructuring plan designed to salvage its struggling business later Friday.

46.   Leading supermarket operators Daiei Inc. and Ito-Yokado Co. Ltd. were meanwhile reported to have suspended sales of beef products intended to be eaten raw.

47.   Major Japanese supermarket operator Jusco Co. Ltd. said Wednesday it had opened a new store at a shopping center in Shanghai.

48.   Participants will include hotels, railroad companies, publishers, credit firms, banks, department stores and supermarket operators.

49.   The import move is to counter low-priced private-brand colas being sold by major Japanese supermarket operators.

50.   The major Japanese supermarket chain operator refused to disclose the purchase price.