Wal Mart : The Top Corporation

Economic - Wal-Mart’s economic performance has been outstanding and its goal of providing quality merchandise at low cost to consumers fits well within this objective. Its stakeholders expect continual improvement to its bottom line, which is especially important to its shareholders, as they are the ones sharing in that return. “…2013, Walmart increased net sales by 5% to $466.1 billion and returned $13 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases” (573). As we will discuss later on, the struggle comes when the company tries to do this in a sustainable and ethical way. Further, the company must provide fair paying jobs and profit to shareholders with as little impact as possible to local merchants. This can be done by purchasing from U.S. manufacturers whenever possible.

Wal-Mart founded in 1962 by Sam Walton is now the largest American retail corporation. With thousands of chains of stores and warehouses Wal-Mart monopolized the American retail industry. In addition, Wal-Mart is the second largest retail corporation in the world employing of two million employees world-wide. As one of the most valuable corporations in the world Wal-Mart continues to improve their sales annually while offering some of the lowest prices available. Wal-Mart’s famous low price guarantee, come at a high expense of the environment, the small businesses, education, the rights and safety of the consumer, but most importantly their employees. Although Wal-Mart has plays a dominate role in American economy, this “American”

Walmart is known throughout the entire world as one of the most popular chain department stores. Actually, most have probably visited a Walmart store in the past week. Though Walmart stores seem to be a normal part of life the average person more than likely has little knowledge that pertains to Walmart’s success and business culture. This paper will guide one through the history of the organization, why Walmart is successful, what could threaten or open new opportunities, and how might they hold a competitive advantage.

The Fortune 500 was established in 1955. Fortune 500 is a list of the 500 largest companies in the United States as compiled by FORTUNE Magazine. This list is compiled by using recent figures for revenue and includes both public and private companies with publicly available revenue data. (investopia.com) The Fortune 500 companies are ranked by the amount of revenue that they are bringing in on a yearly basis. While many feel that many of those businesses are operated by men, the Fortune 500 currently released and let it be known that there are 21 women CEO’s in the Fortune 500 category. (Management.Fortune)

Yes, I think that Wal-Mart is exceeding to become more sustainable. Wal-Mart is one of the top corporations and it is continuing to grow exponentially. There are three sustainability goals that Wal-Mart has put out to the public, and currently they are meeting every one of them. Among Wal-Mart’s sustainability goals are its intentions to be supplied entirely by renewable energy, create no waste, and sell products that sustain people and the environment (Ferrell, Fraedrich, Ferrell). At the end of 2013 Wal-Mart had more than 300 energy projects which provided more than 2.2

In 1950, Sam Walton opened Walton’s 5 & 10; a convenience store aimed at providing customers with low cost goods. Unlike other convenience stores of its time, Sam Walton gained a competitive advantage by implementing innovative business models within his operations and finance departments (complex supply chain management and low profit cost-cutting schemes, respectively). Over the next 65 years, Wal-Mart grew to be the largest corporation in the United States with over 5,000 stores and a staggering 1.2 million employees. In fact, Wal-Mart’s staff accounts for 1% of the United State’s working population (Blodget, 2010). Unfortunately, such an enormous presence, combined with negative reviews, has turned Wal-Mart into the

People argues that Walmart build unsightly stores, but the truth is that Walmart usually goes into some pretty grubby areas of town. Walmart wants to ensure a better world for generation to come by setting three aspirational goals: be supplied by renewable energy, create zero waste, and sell products that sustain people and the environment. It has more than 335 renewable energy projects in operation across its global portfolio. going on the same thought about sustainability, Walmart reduced plastic bag waste by more than 38% by the end of 2013, which represents a reduction of 10 billion bags annually. Last but not least, Walmart made progresses on its goal to eliminate 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the supply

Walmart is the biggest retail chain in America (Isidore), and if Walmart were its own country, it would have the 23rd largest GDP on the planet (“Walmart”). In fact, Walmart not only has more sales than second place retailer Costco, but they have five times their sales (“Walmart”). Yet, their overall impact is found to be negative. How is this possible? Well, after some thorough investigation and research the answer becomes blatantly obvious. Whether it is financially or economically, Walmart has not had the overall positive effect it was meant to contribute to our society.

Walmart was founded in 1962 and by 1990’s grew into the biggest retailer in the United States. Many business organizations such as Walmart invest heavily in information systems to achieve the following strategic business objectives: operational excellence; new products, services, and business models; customer and supplier intimacy; improved decision-making, competitive advantage; and survival. Successful attainment of these objectives aids company in implementing corporate strategies and achieving its goals.

Having worked for a huge company like Walmart I know all too well of its buying power, affect in our communities and its tremendous financial other retail stores globally and domestically. I feel that the changes in technology has only catapulted the company to a new level of success. I’ve seen where the changes in information technology have helped Wal-Mart streamline its supply chain and reduce costs by tracking deliveries. Technology has also made it easier for Wal-Mart to source its products to different parts of the world, which I feel has also helped in tracking consignments and reducing inventory costs. Since Walmart has grown exponentially it has been able to reach more customers than ever. Through online retailing, Walmart sells

People like to think of Walmart as a store with many varieties, because you can get almost anything for low prices. Although Walmart is an American retail corporation, there are many branches of Walmart, not only in the United States but also other places around the globe, making it the largest company by revenue. Because of its variety in products and worldwide locations, Walmart has a significant effect on society, both economically and most importantly the impact of environmental issues. Like many other global industries, Walmart has developed strategic ways in the sustainability of the environment not only for the environmental issue we face, but also a market strategy which forms a connection between society and businesses.

Perhaps this is giving Walmart a free ride in the media/marketing as being sustainable without any parties doing their due diligence to verify the actual numbers. As Senge explained, perhaps “Walmart is using going green to offset negative press for treatment of its employees” due their recent lawsuit losses and settlements (Senge, 2010, p. 114). Although Walmart should be commended for its sustainability portfolio, I believe the results of their goals need to be looked at from proportional aspect as well as how/where Walmart sources their products.

Wal-Mart began as a small discount retailer in Rogers, Ark., Wal-Mart has thousands of stores in the U.S. and has expanded internationally. Through innovation, they are letting customers shop anytime and anywhere online, with mobile devices and in their stores. Wal-Mart went to public in 1970, and it became the first company to reach 1 billion within 9 years. Up to 2004 Wal-Mart has 4,906 store world-wild, and 9 billion in profit. Despite some of controversial issues about its operation approaches, Wal-Mart’s dramatic rapidly growth is phenomenal in business community, and its successful business model has been eulogized world-wide (n.d., Walmart, 2016). Wal-Mart creates opportunities and brings value to customers and communities around the world. Wal-Mart operates over 11,500 retail units under 72 different name in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. They employ 2.2 million associates around the world and 1.4 million in the U.S. (Our business, 2016). Wal-Mart is world 's largest retailer and the world 's largest, fastest-growing and most dynamic ecommerce organization. Based in California 's Silicon Valley with operations in Bangalore, India and Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wal-Mart’s Global e-Commerce leads all online and mobile innovation for their corporation. Wal-Mart became an international company in 1991, and they operate in 27 countries outside the United States. With more than 6,200 stores internationally, they leverage their global resources to meet

Due to increasing environmental imbalances, it is necessary for firms to achieve competitive advantages in the area of environmental convergence as well. Wal-Mart is putting continuous efforts from a long time for environment sustainability and energy conservation. It also received Aspen Institute Energy and Environment award for Corporate Energy Efficiency in 2009. Here are a few steps that Wal-Mart has taken to encourage environmental sustainability:

Wal-Mart is arguably the most dynamic corporation in the last 50 years in the United States, if not the world. Arising from its beginnings in Bentonville, Arkansas, it has grown to over 4,400 discount stores, super centers and corner markets worldwide. Wal-Mart continues to expand despite public criticism of its labor practices as well as complaints about their treatment of competitors. The many strengths of Wal-Mart, like their low cost production and marketing practices, will aid Wal-Mart as it continues to grow in the retail