Research Paper on:
Wal-Mart: A Strategic Analysis

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listed below. Citation styles constantly change, and these examples may not contain the most recent updates. Wal-Mart: A Strategic Analysis , 11/2010 --for more  information on using this paper properly! Introduction Wal-Mart is by all accounts the largest retailer in the world, with significant presence in both domestic and international markets. Many  would suggest that the company could do no wrong. A strategic analysis of the company, however, reveals several areas where their advantage may well be impacted by changing economic forces  in the coming years. In order to maintain its market leadership, Wal-Mart will have to adapt to these forces, and a changing mentality among its consumers. History  Wal-Marts competitive advantage in the retail market largely comes from an unprecedented focus on discount prices. This has always been the driving force the company, which opened its first store  in 1962 in Bentonville, Arkansas. Since then, the company has grown to operate several thousand stores throughout the United States, and to expand into international markets with a store opening  in Mexico in 1991. After that, the international market for Wal-Mart exploded, and the company now has just over four thousand retail locations in foreign markets, which account for as  much as half of the companys revenue. Today, they operate domestically as a retail oligopoly, offering lower price points than most competitors can match, just by virtue of the companys  expansive size. Current Activities Wal-Marts current position in the retail market is quite favorable, leading many to consider the company to be almost something of a monopoly.  While the organization doesnt exactly fit the definition for such a business entity, it is easy to see why some claim that; certainly, Wal-Mart does not suffer from a great