Walmart makes another major shopping center purchase in Pittsburgh area

The nation's largest retailer has made another purchase of a major shopping center.

Real estate records show that earlier this month, Walmart purchased the nearly 22-acre Bethel Park Shopping Center for just over $39.5 million.

Wamart operates a store there, where there's also a Giant Eagle and outparcel tenants including Wendy's Chase Bank and Firestone.

Wal-Mart reportedly has no plans to change operations at the newly acquired center.

Earlier this year, it surprised observers when it purchased Monroeville Mall for $34-million, five million less than this purchase.

The site manager plans to eventually convert it into a mix of retail, residential and entertainment uses.