A Walmart supermarket is seen in Yichang, Hubei province.[ZHOU JIANPING/CHINA DAILY]

TIANJIN - The world's largest retailer, Walmart, has expanded its distribution center in North China's Tianjin municipality.

The second-phase of the center, covering 80,000 square meters, will extend distribution services for Walmart's suppliers in the northern parts of China, Walmart's China headquarters said Wednesday, adding Nestle and Unilever have moved in.

The first-phase of the center mainly offers distribution services for more than 80 Walmart outlets in northern China.

Extending the distribution services indicates the company's determination to invest more in the Chinese market, said Peter Sharp, who is in charge of the company's business in Asia.

Walmart entered the Chinese mainland in 1996 and opened its first supercenter in the southern city of Shenzhen. The retailer has about 400 outlets across the country.