An overview on Wal-Mart business strategies Essay

Walmart or also call as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., it is an American multinationals retail corporation that operates a chain of discount department stores, hypermarkets, and grocery stores. Moreover, Walmart also known as the world largest retailer and it has over 11 thousand stores in 27 countries nowadays.
In year 1962, Walmart was founded by Sam Walton and he opened the first Walmart Discount City stores at 719 W. Walnut Street in Rogers, Arkansas. Then, the company was incorporated as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in year 1969 and opened its home office and first distribution center in Bentonville, Arkansas in year 1970. Walmart was continued to grow rapidly, there were over 1000 stores with sales of US$15.9 billion and 200,000 associates. Besides that, while Walmart was number 3 retailer in U.S in 1980s, it was more profitable compare to Kmart and Sears. Thus, the company rise to multinational company status and became the largest U.S retailer stores by revenue. There were also have some initiatives like Walmart has announced some environmental measures to expand energy efficiency by designed three new experimental stores with wind turbines, photovoltaic solar panel and etc. In year 2007, Walmart was introduced a new advertising with the new slogan call "Save money. Live better." by replacing the old slogan "Always Low Prices, Always." which had been used for 19 years.
Futhermore, Walmart has organized their operation into four divisions, which is Walmart U.S, Sam's Club, Walmart International and Walmart Global eCommerce. All of it is retailing several of products like electronics, movie and music, health and beauty, pet supplies, home and furniture, home improvement, clothing, footwear, jewelry, shoes, toys, and etc. based on their divisions. Walmart U.S is largest division in the company and it has consists of four retailing formats which is Walmart Discount Stores, Walmart Supercenters, Walmart Neighborhood Markets and Walmart's online site. For the Walmart International nowadays, the company have operate over many countries, such as Mexico, Canada, South America, Central America, United Kingdom, Asia and Africa. Next, the Sam's Club is a chain of warehouse club that mostly sells groceries and general merchandise in bulk. Lastly is the Walmart Global eCommerce, which provides online retailing and shopping for all under Walmart Stores and other international brands. Now, Walmart will make customers feel more conveniences due to customers can shop for anytime and anywhere through mobile devices, online or in stores.
There are few Walmart's main competitors in North America such as Target, Kmart, and Meijer. Walmart has come out became the top powerful company make Target became the second largest of discount retailer stores behind Walmart. Kmart also is an American chain of discount department stores born at same years with Walmart and it is the third world largest retailer stores. The company had purchased Sears in 2005, and then come out with a new corporation named Sears Holdings Corporation. Lastly, Meijer, Inc is a regional American big-box store chain like superstores, supermarkets, retail and etc. The company also retail various groceries and discount same as Walmart.