US retailer Walmart will close 25 underperforming stores in China in 2014.

The 25 stores account for just 2.5 per cent of Walmart’s total sales in China, according to Walmart Asia CEO Scott Price.

Closures aside, Walmart has reaffirmed it remains committed to the Chinese market. It says it will improve its efficiency in China by improving operations, procurement and management, upgrading stores and enhancing price advantages and core competitiveness.

In October 2012, Walmart announced its plan to open 100 stores in China in three years to 2015.

This year, the retailer has so far opened 12 new stores in China and closed four.

Having entered China in 1996, Walmart now has 398 stores there.