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What Is Walmart's Competitive Advantage

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Introduction Wal-Mart was established by Sam Walton in 1962 in Arkansas. After its establishment, it grew at an exponential rate and is now known as the largest retailer in the world. "In the year 2002, it made annual sales of worth $ 218 billion with 1.3 million associates and around 4,500 stores" (Rocha & Dib, 2002). Until 1991, Wal-Mart did not expand its operations internationally and had just confined its dealings within the US. The main reason behind this was the competitive advantage that it had developed. Wal-Mart was successful in establishing this competitive advantage because it integrated efficient retailing with progressive human relations policies. Many innovative business ideas can be attributed to Wal-Mart but the most important one was the implementation of the information system so as to keep record of the product sales and inventory. This is considered to be one of the most competent distribution systems. Wal-Mart also then promoted increased product ownership among its employees. These practices made it possible for Wal-Mart to have high rate of productivity and therefore the operating costs reduced. This was then passed on to consumers, who were able to buy products at very low prices. This was a very beneficial strategy for the company as it made it possible for it to acquire market share in retailing and then food merchandising. By the year 1990, nevertheless, Wal-Mart recognized that the opportunities for its expansion in America were now

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