• AP, Thursday, February 7, 2008 11:30 AM

Wal-Mart will open "The Clinic at Wal-Mart" as a joint venture with local hospital systems in Atlanta, Dallas and Little Rock starting in April. For several years, the retailer has leased space in dozens of its stores to outside companies that operate quick-service health stops.

About 7% of Americans have tried a clinic at least once, according to an estimate by the Convenient Care Association, a trade group. That number is expected to increase dramatically, as chains like CVS, Target and Walgreen partner with mini-clinic providers like RediClinic and MinuteClinic to expand operations. The trade group estimates there will be more than 1,500 clinics by year-end, up from about 800 in November.

Co-branding means the clinics will jointly bear the names of Wal-Mart and its partners and have an identical look, prices and record keeping system, says Wal-Mart spokeswoman Deisha Galberth. Having the local hospital system involved will also increase the level of trust among shoppers, she says.

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