TORONTO - In an effort to gain a strong advantage over rival Target, which is entering the Canadian market later this year, Walmart is expanding its fresh food offerings to every one of its store in Canada, Bloomberg reports.

Currently, Walmart maintains food sections in roughly 50% of its Canadian stores, and it plans to expand its food line to as many stores in Canada as possible, beginning with the Maritime provinces this year, said Shelley Broader, CEO and president of Walmart??s Canadian unit.

"The addition of fresh food through supercenters a few years ago has really not only driven our growth trajectory in Canada, but it is really meeting the needs of the consumer base that was under-served," Broader said. "I would like to put fresh food in every facility that I can."

As a result, Walmart will spend roughly $454 million to build new stores and renovate others in Canada.

Meanwhile, Target plans to open about 125 stores in Canada, its first venture into Canada, beginning in March.