Wal-Mart looks to tech advances

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. must be a “company of the future” that embraces advances such as electronic health records or hybrid cars to drive down costs, keep prices low and tackle issues the government may not be able to solve, Chief Executive H. Lee Scott said.

“We live in a time when people are losing confidence in the ability of government to solve problems,” Scott said.

He said he has held talks with automakers on selling gasoline-electric and plug-in hybrid cars and is working with the company’s suppliers to make the most “energy intensive” products in its stores 25% more energy efficient within three years.