Seiyu Group(西友グループ,Seiyu Group?) is a Japanese operator of supermarkets, shopping centers, and department stores. In addition to its Japanese operations, Seiyu also has department stores operating under its name in Singapore and Hong Kong. The group used to directly operate its Singapore and Hong Kong stores, but in October 2005 its three Singapore stores were sold to CapitaLand Limited,1 which transferred them to BeijingHualian Group later the same year.2 The group's Hong Kong store in New Town Plaza, Sha Tin was sold to Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited in June 2005,3 but like the stores in Singapore it continues to operate under the Seiyu name.
According to BusinessWeek Online 4, Wal-Mart, the giant American retailer, bought a 37 percent stake in Seiyu in 2002, and according to a company press release 5, in late 2005 Wal-Mart acquired a majority stake in the company which it has since increased to 95% ownership 6with the possibility of 100% ownership in the near future.
