Wal-Mart, the largest US retailer, has published the trademark for its new pilot small-format “Marketside” grocery stores, which are expected to open in the Phoenix, Arizona area over the summer.

The retailer has applied for liquor licences at three locations for stores that are expected to have around 15,000 sq ft of selling space, according to planning documents - less than half the size of the 130 Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market supermarkets that are currently its smallest US format.