Wal-Mart's Strategic Plan

Abstract

For the research, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is taken into consideration considered. Wal-Mart is the leader in the retail market globally. The study starts with a Thesis Statement followed by a brief overview, given about the company's business in the introductory paragraph. The introduction also includes a brief background of Wal-Mart. In the discussion, it is revealed how Wal-Mart is different from its competitors. A concise SWOT analysis is also done. Wal-Mart's Strategic plan is prepared to take into account some points from SWOT analysis. Wal-Mart has an edge in the market due to its IT advancements. It has a lot of opportunity to enter new markets globally and add new low cost products in old markets. Strategic plan comprises of diversification, division structure, sustainable products and product selection. Management, Marketing, Growth and Corporate strategies are also discussed in the later part.

Abstractii

Thesis Statement1

Introduction1

Discussion2

Wal-Mart Distinct from competitors2

SWOT Analysis Wal-Mart3

Strengths3

Weaknesses3

Opportunities4

Threats4

Strategic Plan4

Diversification5

Division Structure6

Product Selection6

Sustainable Products6

Management Strategy7

Marketing Strategy7

Growth Strategy7

Corporate Strategy8

Conclusion9

References10

Wal-Mart's Strategic Plan

Thesis Statement

“Wal- Mart's Strategic plan that gives it a competitive edge over its competitors”

Introduction

Wal-Mart store, Inc. is an American retail company. It is one of the most valuable corporations of the world. Wal-Mart has several chains of warehouse and discount department stores. As stated by Fortune Global 500 list of 2012, Wal-Mart is the world's third largest public company. Wal-Mart is the largest private employer of the world having more than 2 million employees. The company is also the biggest grocery seller in USA. It is still a family-owned business, owned by Walton family, having 48% share in the company (frank, 2006). The first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Wal-Mart is “Always low prices”. For past several years they offer a variety of products daily. Wal-Mart's mission statement is “Saving people money so that they can live better”.

Wal-Mart operates in 15 countries with 8500 stores, under 55 different names. In USA, it operates by the name of Wal-Mart, in UK it named Asda, in India it's called best price and in Mexico it is named Walmex. Wal-Mart offers general products: beauty aids, toys, electronics, family apparel, shoes, lawn & garden, crafts, fabrics, Jewelry and house hold needs. The company also has photo processing center, sports accessories, pharmacy and Tire & Lube Express (www.walmart.com).

Sam Walton started Wal-Mart in 1962, with 3 policy goals which would define the business: respect for people, service to customers, and always trying for excellence. Wal-Mart returns to the community by giving scholarships and by doing other community services. It pays great importance to environmental issues and children (www.walmart.com).

Discussion

Strategic decisions are intended to differentiate a company from its competitors by ways which could be sustained in future. A decision can be called strategic if it includes some novelty that ends up in maintainable advantage over others.

Wal-Mart Distinct from competitors

Wal-Mart has a competitive edge over its competitors the reason is not fully revealed. One reason is its production function, related input and outputs. IT is another advantage of ...