Wal-Mart exploring idea of new format.

BENTONVILLE, ARK. -- With the development of a new format, or formats, under way at Wal-Mart, the prospect of how the company will pursue continued growth in the United States has piqued the collective curiosity of the retail industry.

The prospect of a new format development comes amid a slowing rate of U.S. supercenter expansion and the looming arrival of a highly successful European competitor on Wal-Mart's home turf. Wal-Mart's response to these challenges was brought to the forefront in late July when the company posted a job listing on its Web site for a senior director of multiformat strategy responsible for proposing the development of new formats to …