A Summary of Walmart

Walmart One Page Summary

Background Walmart was founded by Sam Walton in 1962. Sam Walton's vision for the company was to pass on low prices to customers. The company accomplished this by, focusing on smaller towns where there was little competition, innovating the companies MIS systems and logistic systems and treating employees fairly and with respect. As a result of Walmart became very productive compared to other retailers and quickly gained market share and buying power over competitors. In 2008 the company generated sales of $410 billion in revenues and operated in 15 countries. Sam Walton stepped down as CEO in 1988 and was succeeded by David Glass. In the time the followed Walmart has expanded many stores into supercenters which offer many different services including, optical centers, fast food, and portrait studios. Now as markets become saturated in United States Walmart has nowhere to expansion but into foreign markets with the growing threats of competitors.

Internal Environment Currently Walmarts performance in the industry is beyond that of the competition. Walmart is performing very well financially and has a very innovative and advanced logistics and Information systems which allows the company to reduce marginal cost of inventories and pass the saving on to customers. Walmart also has a very good relationship with employees where they are treated well with respect and dignity by being treated as associates and compensated fairly with a share program. Although the company has a good relationship with employees in recent years there have been emerging problems occurring from the shear growth of the company's work force. There have been many lawsuits filled with regards to, pay discrimination, and unpaid work hours.

External Environment

The macroeconomic forces which include social, political, technological and economic