Retail Industry : Walmart, Kroger, And Costco Essay

Environmental Studies is the academic field, which systematically studies human interaction with the environment in which we live in. It is a broad field of study that includes the natural environment, built environment, and the sets of relationships between them. Environmental studies takes into account many different factors that help provide an enjoyable, fruitful way of life, such as national policies, politics, laws, economics, sociology and other social aspects, planning, pollution control, natural resources, and the interactions of human beings and nature.

Wal-Mart is a brand that is well known around the world, especially in the USA. It has gradually developed into the largest retailer in the world. Wal-Mart’s globalization efforts have been happening rapidly. But have they been successful in all aspects of their international expansion or not? This is the main thought that is going to be discussed in this essay. The questions I will be looking at are based on a case called “Wal-Mart takes on the world” from the book of International Business The Challenge of Global Competition eleventh edition – Ball, McCulloch, Geringer, Minor, and McNett. Questions are the following:

1) Should Wal-Mart be expected to protect small businesses in the communities within which it operates?

When deciding on a grocery store, we take many things into account. Such as price, selection, location of the store, and the quality of food. Weather we’re shopping for our self or our entire family, our choice in grocery stores is important. There are many options in every town, some towns more than others. The two main grocery stores that pop into my mind are Wal-Mart and Kroger’s. In my opinion Wal-Mart is the better choice of the two.

On July 2, 1962, Sam Walton opened his first Wal-Mart in Rogers, Arkansas. Over 50 years later, Wal-Mart became known as the largest private employer in the United States and the largest retailer in the world. Wal-Mart have expanded to over 4400 stores across the globe. Americans truly love Wal-Mart. When there is not any groceries at house the first thought comes to mind is Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart have the cheapest and lowest price that everyone can afford, so when the groceries are scarce at home most often Wal-Mart will be the next stop. People love shopping at Wal-Mart since it is more convenient than any other store around. Wal-Mart plays a tremendous growing role in America’s economy. More than 100 million customers visit Wal-Mart every week, but is Wal-Mart good for economy? This a question that many Americans never assumed or inquired. Wal-Mart is effecting America in a lot of ways. Wal-Mart has devastated thousands of small industries and innumerable manufacturing jobs over the past decades (Economy in Crisis). Wal-Mart has become so massive in retail that it sells five times more than any other retailer in the country. Sadly, 85% of the items on Wal-Mart’s shelves comes from foreign countries. This in turns hurts America’s economy, taking thousands of jobs away and taking countless revenue. Wal-Mart is a textbook illustration of where our economic system is headed.

In this segment, the retailer J.C. Penney will be analyzed against the department store retail industry, with particular emphasis placed upon their competitors, Macy’s and Kohl’s. The major components to be discussed will include the general external environment (i.e. demographics, economics, politics, legal requirements, technologies and global expansion), the industry environment, the competitive environment, the driving forces and the key factors for success within the industry. In terms of the general external environment, the retail industry is a multi-trillion dollar business in the United States alone and maintains operations primarily due to consumer spending. Such purchases rely upon the disposable income of

The North American Wholesale Club industry was a $155 billion business in 2011 and was dominated by three focal competitors: Costco Wholesale, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Although there are key differences in their business models all three operate as a no-frills, self-service retail experience with a wide selection of products (big box) at very low prices to fee paying members.

1. The article by Chaddha on the Wal-mart industry and how they treat their employees who struggle financially, explains the problems with having a job and not getting the incentives they deserve. There is a big connection between race and class that shows why they have a common enemy, which is poverty. Majority of the population that dwell in the lower class consist with people of color. Chaddha adds a piece to her article on the Wal-mart incident in Inglewood, California. It is a great piece of evidence that supports the issue, especially since over 90% of the population in the poor city of Inglewood is Latino and Black.

Thank you for taking my call today and as requested I am sending you a brochure describing our company security services. We have extensive experience with commercial properties including retail and warehouse locations and customize our services to fit the client needs and budget. I look forward to your follow up providing our company the Houston Costco and surrounding area warehouse contact information. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you may

 Illustrates low prices and at the same time, not portray a cheap image to consumer.

Why do you think Wal-Mart did not venture abroad until 1991, despite its success in the USA?

Wal-Mart’s business strategy relies on low production costs which it can pass on to its customers. If Wal-Mart were a country then it would be China’s eighth largest trading partner ahead of Russia, Australia, and Canada. Wal-Mart’s non-Chinese owned suppliers operating in China number nearly 5,000 and all of them benefit from a low valued yuan compared to the dollar. The 176 million worldwide customers of Wal-Mart also benefit from the low valued yuan. With nearly 70% of Wal-Mart’s products coming from China a sharp increase in the value of the yuan against the dollar can be devastating for the company as the increased costs for

On the other hand, another control system the organization is their rewarding strategy; as they link their performance and abilities to meet goals and targets to pay raise and promotion.

The global player Wal-Mart operates in 14 different markets all around the world, serving 176 million customers every week. Today, the second biggest company of the world, concerning turnover which amounts to 312,427 million US-$, categorizes its operational facilities into five divisions. Among those divisions are the Wal-Mart discount stores, offering convenience and low-priced goods. Wal-Mart supercenters are the biggest stores, being open 24/7 hours and employing a workforce of 350 people, selling all kinds of groceries and general merchandise at the lowest possible price. Wal-Mart neighborhood markets are specified in

1. What is the ethical dilemma facing Wal-Mart in this case ? Do Wal-Mart’s associates also face an ethical dilemma? If so, what is it ?