...How Wal-Mart Used Payoffs to Get Its Way in Mexico By DAVID BARSTOW and ALEJANDRA XANIC von BERTRAB Wal-Mart de Mexico was an aggressive and creative corrupter, offering large payoffs to get what the law otherwise prohibited, an examination by The New York Times found. December 18, 2012BUSINESSNEWS Wal-Mart Hushed Up a Vast Mexican Bribery Case By DAVID BARSTOW Confronted with evidence of widespread corruption in Mexico, top Wal-Mart executives focused more on damage control than on rooting out wrongdoing, an examination by The New York Times found. April 22, 2012BUSINESSNEWS ------------------------------------------------- Top of Form Bottom of Form Company Information Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Walmart) operates retail stores in various formats around globally. Everyday low prices (EDLP) is the Company's pricing philosophy under, which it price items at a low price everyday. The Company's operates in three business segments: the Walmart U.S. segment, the Walmart International segment, and the Sam's Club segment. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 (fiscal 2012), its Walmart U.S. segment accounted for approximately 60% of its net sales and operates retail stores in various formats in all 50 states in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as Walmart's online retail operations, walmart.com. Its Walmart International segment consists of retail operations in 26 countries. Its Sam's Club segment consists of membership warehouse clubs operated in 47 states in...
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...JOHN A. QUELCH CAROLE CARLSON Reed Supermarkets: A New Wave of Competitors At 4:30 p.m. on December 6, 2010, Meredith Collins, VP of Marketing for Reed Supermarkets, walked down the sidewalk of the 10-store strip mall that housed Reed’s Westgate Plaza branch in Columbus, Ohio. Collins didn’t shop; instead she took mental notes about store traffic, first at the Reed store and then at an indirect but increasingly worrisome kind of competitor—a dollar store. The Reed was predictably well lit and inviting, and Collins could see three registers open and two or three customers in line at each. “Not too bad” she thought, “but not what I would hope for at this time of day, this close to the holidays.” She’d felt the same way at two other Reeds she’d visited that day . Collins walked on to the Dollar General (DG). A fairly steady stream of shoppers entered DG’s doors, their progress slowed by families exiting with plastic bags jammed full. When Collins looked inside, she noticed workers filling what was obviously a new freezer case—the first freezer she had seen in a dollar store that day. This DG was doing just as well, to judge from this glimpse, as the Family Dollar she’d walked past half an hour earlier at North Valley—but no better than the Aldi store she had visited in the morning. That Aldi trip was interesting: a bright and spotless mini- supermarket, run by a giant firm from Germany that carried one-tenth the food items that a Reed did and sold virtually no brand names, only...
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...Executive Summary: This paper is an analysis and evaluation of Wal-Mart and the future venture into the retail sector of India. The challenges that Wal-Mart needs to resolve to become successful range from the cultural differences to problems with supply chain management in India. The analysis below identifies the challenges of many factors dealing with the Wal-Mart, Bharti and the Indian retail sector. These factors for Wal-Mart would deal with the ability to operate in India efficiently as they do in the US. In addition, Wal-Mart to be successful will have to sort out problems with the government, culture differences and the partnership with Bharti. These factors for Wal-Mart and Bharti will be presented in more specific detail through a SWOT analysis. The analysis will evaluate Wal-Mart as a company in relation to the future operation in the Indian market. Then the Bharti Company will be analyzed using a SWOT to pin point how the company will fit into the overall plan of Wal-Mart operating in India. The report will further evaluate the Indian retail sector through a competitive industry analysis using the Porter’s 5 forces model. This model will detail the threats to the market entry, supplier power, buyer power, availability of substitutes and competitive rivalry as they relate to the India retail sector. The report will then offer alternatives for the Wal-Mart company. These alternatives would include not progressing forward within India, chose a global market with less regulation...
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...New Delhi: After battling stiff opposition, government Friday allowed 51 percent foreign investment in multi-brand retail but left it to the states to permit global retailers open stores. It has also tweaked the sourcing norms for FDI exceeding 50 percent in single brand retail, requiring foreign firms, which want a relaxation of the 30 percent procurement norms, to set up manufacturing facilities in the country. After considering various aspects and discussions with various stakeholders and states, it has been decided to go ahead with the decision to allow 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma told reporters after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "The response has been a mixed one but the UPA had tried to evolve a consensus," he said. The cabinet had in November last year approved 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail but had to put it on hold due to opposition from political parties, including UPA ally Trinamool Congress. Sharma also reiterated that foreign retailers planning to enter the multi-brand segment would have to invest a minimum of USD 100 million with 50 percent of it in rural areas. Related Stories • 49% FDI in civil aviation allowed; industry welcomes • Cabinet allows disinvestment in 4 PSUs; to raise Rs 15,000 crore • Broadcast sector reform: FDI upto 74% to be allowed • FDI in retail to boost mall space demand: Realtors • Govt permits foreign investment in power trading...
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...balance between increasing its profits and recognizing its social and ethical responsibilities. Why is Wal-Mart so Successful? Is it Good Strategy or Good Strategy Implementation? Vector Core Values What ,And why analysis The Wal-Mart Philosophy — Wal-Mart is successful not only because it makes sound strategic management decisions, but also for its innovative implementation of those strategic decisions. Regarded by many as the entrepreneur of the century, Walton had a reputation for caring about his customers, his employees (or “associates” as he referred to them), and the community. In order to maintain its market position in the discount retail business, Wal-Mart executives continue to adhere to the management guidelines Sam developed. Walton was a man of simple tastes and took a keen interest in people. He believed in three guiding principles: 1. Customer value and service; 2. Partnership with its associates; 3. Community involvement (The Story of Wal-Mart, 1995). The Customer — The word “always” can be seen in virtually all of Wal-Mart’s literature. One of Walton’s deepest beliefs was that the customer is always right, and his stores are still driven by this philosophy. When questioned about Wal-Mart’s secrets of success, Walton has been quoted as saying, “It has to do with our desire to exceed our customers’ expectations every hour of every day” (Wal-Mart Annual Report, 1994, p. 5). The Associates — Walton’s greatest accomplishment was his ability to empower...
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...million employees in 2008). In 2008, the company operated about 4,000 stores in the United States (discount, supercenters, neighborhood markets, and Sam’s Clubs) as well as more than 2,200 stores in other countries, mostly in Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. Its revenue exceeded $400 billion, with net income of about $15 billion. Sam Walton said it best, “If we work together, we’ll lower the cost of living for everyone…we’ll give the world an opportunity to see what it’s like to save and have a better life. During the initial years, Walton focused on establishing new stores in small towns, with an average population of 5,000. These towns were largely neglected by leading retailers like Sears Roebuck & Company, K-Mart and Woolco, which concentrated more on larger towns and big cities. In his efforts to attract people from the rural areas to his stores, Walton introduced the concept of everyday low prices (EDLP). EDLP promised Walmart's customers a wide variety of high quality, branded and unbranded...
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...How Could Wal Mart Continue Its Extraordinary Growth Management Essay Introduction The history of Wal-Mart started in 1962 with the opening of its first store in Arkansas, USA. The store stared as a retailer in the United States, but grew to reach extraordinary levels in the years to come. Wal-Mart grew rapidly, and used several methods to accomplish this growth. They opened their own stores as well as acquiring existing stores and chains to facilitate their entry to the new markets. The growth was not limited to the number of stores that the company opened, but it extended to the areas of operation for the store. For example, Wal-Mart entered new areas of business as it grew like pharmacies and jewelries. Wal-Mart followed an aggressive expansion strategy that was the model for their business for years, redefining concepts as they grew. But what is Wal-Mart. The store can be described as the following. It is chain of discount department stores that operate with the purpose of reducing prices, and focusing on the volume of sales. The company’s growth is extraordinary in every sense; Wal-Mart is currently the world’s largest company by sales. Wal-Mart has recorded $260 billion in sales in 2005. The company manages over 5000 stores worldwide, 3200 of the stores located in the US, 900 in the Americas, 350 in Europe, and 440 in Asia. Wal-Mart employs a very large workforce, it has over 2 million employees, and the number is gradually increasing. Wal-Mart has adopted advance mean...
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...Wal-Mart VS Target Group Analysis [Type the author name] 4/21/2013 [A group analysis of the two top retailers; Wal-Mart and Target. This paper will discuss the SWOT of both companies as well as give an in depth analysis of both companies as big competitors.] 1962 was the year of creation. That is when two great companies were founded, Target and Wal-Mart. Target opening saying it’s a “new idea in discount stores”. Wal-Mart was the retailer who “focused on helping customers and communities save money and live better”. The two companies opened with the same ideas in mind. Sam Walton opened Wal-Mart’s first store in Rogers, Arkansas while Target was opened in Roseville, Minnesota by the Dayton Company. Later that year Target opened three more stores in St. Louis Park, Crystal and Duluth, Minnesota. Over the years the companies have managed to create household names for themselves that have lasted for over 50 years. Target and Wal-Mart have many things about their companies in common, strategy isn’t one of them. These companies seem to take two different approaches and it works in both persons favor. They both are leaders in different aspects therefor making them great competitors. Wal-Mart has 3 different strategies. Focus strategy is usually defined as: focusing on offering products and services to a particular market segment or buyer group, within a segment of a product line, and/ or to a specific geographic market. The differentiation strategy is defined...
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...Weekly Reflection – A Review of Wal-Mart Tim Justice, Leisa Allender, Michael Hyde, Matthew ECO/365 December 2, 13 Christopher Rakovalis Weekly Reflection – A Review of Wal-Mart Economics is a widely popular subject studied by economists around the world. Economics is divided into two primary sub-categories; macroeconomics and microeconomics. “Microeconomics is the study of individual choice and how that choice is influenced by economic forces” (Colander, 2008, p. 15). Wal-Mart, a retail conglomerate with retail locations found in many countries, is a perfect example of how one businessman who understood the theories of efficiency and the invisible hand theorem, created one of the world’s largest retailers. This reflection attempts to explain the history of Wal-Mart, the market in which it operates, the role of government regulations of the retail industry, and issues or opportunities faced by Wal-Mart today. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Wal-Mart) was a vision for Sam Walton while he was operating a Ben Franklin variety store in Newport, Arkansas, in the late 1940s. Sam was always looking for deals from his suppliers and instead of pocketing the profits as the majority of retailers often do; he passed the savings on to the customers and earned his profits from volume. Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart store in Rogers, Arkansas, on July 2, 1962. What began as a small discount retail store has grown to thousands of stores in the United States and expanded internationally as well...
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...UNIT 17: MARKETING INTELLIGENCE Written By: LO1: UNDERSTAND BUYER BEHAVIOUR AND PURCHASE MAKING DECISION 1.1 Describe the main stages of the purchase decision-making process for an individual consumer (i.e. business-to-consumer) Buyer Behaviour and Decision Making Process Customers go through five stages of decision making process in any kind of purchase. The diagram below summarises it. The above model is essential in making marketing decisions. Customer buying process starts with “Need Recognition”, in which buyer identify a need or a problem (hungry, fever). Some times in these stage customers respond to a marketing stimulus (aroma of chocolate muffins and coffee while passing the coffee shop). The next stage is “Information search” in this stage if the need is very strong then customers do not search a lot of information and buy product or service close to hand, if not then customers obtain information from family, friends, neighbours, advertising, TV, radio, retailers or by handling and examining or even testing. In the third stage “Evaluation of alternative” customers uses the information gathered and chooses between alternative brands, products or services. After evaluation, customer makes the purchase. The last stage is “Post-Purchase Evaluation”, this stage make a customer feel either satisfied or dissatisfied with the purchase, if customer feels satisfaction then they will stick to the brand, product or service in not then they will switch to...
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...Since the creation of humans, business has been established. For example, People around the world have long been selling merchandise in exchange for gold, and they have long been driving to stores to purchase goods. With the technological evolution, this practice has changed. Today, people don’t even have to go to the store to buy what they want because they have the possibility of having the market virtually present in the comfort of their own home. In regard to this, any business that expands its market online will basically profit in expansion moving from a local to a global market. In this case, the income will be largely intensified. Home Dress’n X is a company that specializes in selling clothes, shoes, home accents, bed and bath products, and luggage. It opened its doors in 1982, selling its merchandise with bargain prices. Nowadays, it is well-known among the S&P, Fortune 500, and Nasdaq 100. Although Home Dress’n X has high ranges in the brick-and-mortar market, its website shows otherwise in the virtual market. The store has been very successful due its great prices as opposed to its competitors. However, when taking a look at the Home Dress’n X website, one can visibly see not much marketing there. Additionally, the website, as opposed to the store, is very dull and not enough diversity is shown. For instance, the store has a variety of merchandise, some brand names, and new trends. The merchandise are arranged according to sexes, sizes, genres, and new arrivals...
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...market is incorrect. Initially, Wal-Mart chose German as a right venture investment market mainly due to three motivations. Firstly, German as the world’s third-largest economy could not be ignored by Wal-Mart. In addition, Wal-Mart thought German was a good central base which could help expand to any corner of the European continent. Furthermore, Wal-Mart believed that every day low price (EDPL) strategy would be much suitable for German’s high price-sensitive market. However, the facts proved that Wal-Mart in German is unsuccessful in four aspects because of the inadequate environmental scanning. In the aspect of economy, German was in economic downturn. The retail industry was growing slowly and earning less profit. Besides, high real estate prices and wage costs increased the operational costs of Wal-Mart in German. In terms of German’s legal and governmental environment, German government refused to issue food and grocery retailing licenses. Accordingly, Wal-Mart was only permitted to entry into German market with the method of acquisition. However, Wal-Mart’s operation was against several laws of German, two of them were in particular. One of them is associated with the low selling price, which would lead to the unfair competition. Consequently, Wal-Mart was prohibited to use pricing strategy any more. This indicates that although German market is price-sensitive, legal environment in this country makes EDLP hard to carry out. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart was involved into a lawsuit, because...
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...Financial report : Carrefour Yi LI Yuhuan CHEN FEI XU Matthieu GRACIEUX Nicolas CHAPACOU 1 Table of Contents 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) Business Description .................................................................................................. 3 Market Summary ....................................................................................................... 5 Strategy and Competitive Positioning ......................................................................... 9 Risks ........................................................................................................................ 13 Financial analysis ..................................................................................................... 15 Forecast, Valuation and Recommendations .............................................................. 17 Appendix ................................................................................................................. 19 Sources .................................................................................................................... 22 2 1) Business Description - Carrefour SA operates hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, cash and carry stores, and hypercash stores worldwide. The company also operates food and non-food e-commerce Websites. Its hypermarkets offer food products; and non-food products comprising clothing products, electronic goods, household appliances, multimedia products, furniture...
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...Brooke Ellington October 13, 2013 University of Phoenix XMGT/230 Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart store in Arkansas on July 2, 1962, (Carson, 1999-2013). The vision of Sam Walton for his store Wal-Mart was to provide lower prices and to reflect on the values of the community and the customer. Consumers remember Wal-Mart for its motto "customer satisfaction" and “guaranteed lower prices." Wal-Mart offers employee training for everyone in the store from the greeters to the managers to ensure excellent customer skills and to instill Sam Walton's philosophy in the consumers mind. Wal-Mart's growth leads to the company becoming incorporated in 1969 that has led to stores opening in the nation and globally. Celebrating 50 years of helping communities and customers, Wal-Mart has more than 10,000 stores in at least 27 countries (History Timeline, 2012). Sam Walton has proven successful management using the four functions of management to grow his business. The four functions include planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Wal-Mart's success in various levels of management has led to multidivisional structures. Wal-Mart has 13 divisions of strategic management that offers traditional functional areas and geographic areas in the retail operation. The purpose of this paper is to explain how internal and external factors affect the four functions of management in the Wal-Mart Corporation. For any organization to survive, irrespective of its size, it must develop and implement...
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...Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates approximately 11,047 retail units under 69 banners in 27 countries. It has three segments: The Wal-Mart Stores, The Sam’s Club, and International. The Wal-Mart Stores segment includes 4,759 Discount Stores, Supercenters, and Neighborhood Markets in the United States, as well as Walmart.com. It offers apparel for women, girls, men, boys, and infants; domestics, fabrics, and notions; stationery and books; shoes; housewares; hardware; electronics; home furnishings; small appliances; automotive accessories; horticulture and accessories; sporting goods; toys; pet food and accessories; cameras and supplies; health and beauty aids; pharmaceuticals; jewelry; and optical, as well as photo processing services. The Neighborhood Markets include dry grocery, meat, produce, deli, bakery, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, photo processing, health and beauty aids, household chemicals, paper goods, general merchandise, and pet supplies departments. The Sam’s Club segment includes 624 stores and comprises the warehouse membership clubs in the United States and samsclub.com. It offers hard-goods, soft-goods, software, electronics, jewelry, sporting goods, toys, tires, stationery and books, institutional-size grocery items, and selected private labels. The International segment operates 6,288 various retail formats in countries to include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. This segment operated 261...
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