Strategic Audit of Wal-Mart

Essay by Lboerstler328University, Bachelor'sA, January 2005

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Strategic Audit of Wal-Mart

Overview and General Performance -

The Wal-Mart Corporation is divided into three segments, those being Wal-Mart Stores, Sam's Club, and the International Division. The Wal-Mart Store segment is by far the largest sector of the organization actually accounting for 68% of sales (based on figures compiled on Jan 31, 2004 regarding sales figures from 2003). This area of business consists of all of the domestic business with the exception of Sam's Club.

The beginning of Wal-Mart was the birth of a phenomenon that no one planned and no one expected. Founder, Sam Walton opened the first store in 1962 by introducing the first discount-shopping-department type store in a rural area. His philosophy clearly was to bring affordable merchandise and products to people in rural places who might not have access to them otherwise. This thinking proved to be incredibly successful and profitable. Within seven years of the opening of that first store, Wal-Mart became incorporated.

One year after that the first distribution center was opened, and the corporation became public on the New York Stock Exchange.

By the year 2000, Wal-Mart earned the discount of "Retailer of the Century" (Discount Store News, Nov 8, 1999). In addition, the corporation became one of the "Most Admired Companies in America," (Fortune Magazine), as well as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For", (Fortune Magazine). In spite of all of these accolades, Wal-Mart has not developed a formal written mission statement because they believe that their primary focus is meeting the ever changing need of the customer. By continuing to provide a way for people, "common folk," to have the same access to brand name, and popular products at a discounted price, with stores in neighborhoods and other convenient locations, Wal-Mart has become an...