Canadian Wal-Marts to open 24 hours

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Wal-Mart Canada announced Thursday it will keep 192 of its stores open 24 hours a day in December through Christmas Eve.

In a statement from its Mississauga, Ontario, headquarters, the company said a survey it conducted found 41 percent of Canadian shoppers said extended store hours play a determining role in their choice of shopping destinations.

"This is an unprecedented number of stores open for an unprecedented length of time, but it's clear the popularity of 24-hour shopping is growing with Canadians," said Jim Thompson, senior vice president of operations. "For many people, shopping is simply more convenient when the kids are in bed or you're heading home from an off-hour job or commitment."

In January, the company opened 25 stores around the clock permanently, subsequently expanding to 30 stores of its 310 stores.

The 24-hour stores are located in nine provinces across the country.