Jan 26 - Walmart Canada, a unit of U.S.-based Wal-Mart Stores, said it plans to open 40 supercenters in the country this year by spending more than $500 million that will generate about 9,200 jobs.

Wal-mart, USA

The supercenter format, which was launched in Canada in 2006, offers groceries and general merchandise under one roof.

The company, which already has centers in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, is bringing the supercenters to two more provinces, Manitoba and Quebec.

The current project includes building new stores and expanding, remodelling or relocating existing stores, Walmart Canada said in a statement.

By January 2012, the unit's store count is expected to be 333 -- 164 supercentres and 169 discount stores.

Wal-Mart shares closed at $57.26 on Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange.

(Reporting by Arnika Thakur in Bangalore; Editing by Maju Samuel)