Case analysis: Wal*Mart

Introduction



In the 1950s, Wal-Mart started with few discount stores situated only in puny and rural towns.
From the beginning, Sam Walton has built a enculturation with low-cost products, a unique prise culture where value are preferential to luxury.


Nowadays, Wal-Mart is the most valuable firm in the world. According to the 2008 Fortune 500 index, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is the number one retailer.
In 2008, Wal-Mart stores, Inc. possess 971 discount stores, 2447 supercenters, 591 Sams Clubs, and 132 Neighborhood Markets in America. Wal-Mart in addition operates overseas, in 12 countries that include Canada, Mexico, UK and China.
No other company has been growing to achieve such fast growth as Wal-Mart due to its specific management, high engineering science and superior logistics. Everywhere, Wal-Mart is admired like a giant.


The following story outlines four main questions in order to understand why and how Wal-Mart became a superpower. The first part will define the draw of the business in the 1950s, followed by a description of Wal-Marts competitive advantage. Then, the RBV model (Resource Based View) will be utilise to explain the competitive advantage and end with an explanation of sustainability.
















incredulity 1  How attractive was the discount retailing industry in the USA when Wal-Mart first began operations in the 1950s ?


During the 1950s, Wal-Mart possessed only small supermarkets, located in rural and small towns. Sam Walton focused on a unique niche, where no other American discounters were located. People did not need to live on up three hours to do shopping. It was a very simple-minded business with no information technology, no computer, and unluxurious fixtures. Moreover, ancillary services, for shell delivery and in-store handleing were scarce. In addition, discount stores charged crude margins 10-15% lower.
At this time, Sam Waltons main goal was to sell a wide range of services and products at...If you want to direct a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



If you want to get a full essay, wisit our page: write my essay .