Wal-Mart to close Tire & Lube Express locations across Canada

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Wal-Mart Canada Corp. is planning to close this summer the Tire, Lube & Express businesses it operates at 106 Walmart store locations across Canada.

The company said the move, which will affect 550 employees at the 106 locations, will allow it to accelerate online growth while continuing to deliver its "core business of food, consumables, health and wellness, fashion and general merchandise."

Wal-Mart said it expects to offer the majority of the affected employees alternative jobs.

The company said this business was under review before the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.

Wal-Mart said it expects some of the 48 stores that have Mr. Lube franchises on site to continue operating those businesses. Walmart lists stores in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan as offering Mr. Lube services.

Among the tire brands listed by Wal-Mart Canada for sale on its site are: Amp, Bridgestone, Carlisle, Continental, Dick Cepek, Dunlop, Falken, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Mickey Thompson, Toyo and Yokohama.

Wal-Mart Canada operates over 400 stores across Canada.