Wal-Mart Scores MassMart

South Africa's Competition Tribunal approved Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.'s proposed $2.4 billion acquisition of 51% of Massmart Holdings Ltd with some conditions: no job cuts for two years, honor union bargaining agreements for three years, and invest 100 million rand ($14.4 million) in supply-chain training programs to increase competitiveness of local industries. Wal-Mart noted the deal should be completed by the end of June, giving Wal-Mart access to Massmart's 288 stores in 13 African countries -- a foothold from which it will expand.