Walmart

Wal-Mart, the world largest discount retailer has become a household brand that has a worldwide presence “operating under 69 different banners in 27 countries” (Walmart, 2012). The three segments that Walmart functions through are the culmination of how it has earned the name of, “wolrd’s # 1 retailer” (walmart, 2012). The three segments include: “Walmart US; Walmart International; and Sam’s Club Walmart” (Walmart, 2012).

In the US, Wal-Mart operates more than 4,000 stores, including 3,000-plus Supercenters that sell groceries and general merchandise, 610 Sam's Club warehouses, and a growing number of smaller format stores. The company's faster growing international division (28% of sales) numbers more than 5,600 locations; Wal-Mart is the #1 retailer in Canada and Mexico and has operations in Asia (where it owns a 95% stake in Japanese retailer SEIYU), Africa, Europe, and South America.

http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/company-profile.Wal-Mart_Stores_Inc.e82225a6f3c5e3bb.html

Wal-Mart isn’t just the world’s biggest retailer—it’s the world’s largest company, at least on the bases of sales. True, Apple has a greater market value than Wal-Mart, and plenty of businesses are more profitable. But when it comes to revenue, no other company comes close to Wal-Mart” (Burrows, 2010).

Wal-Mart is not simply servicing North America with their varied inventory and competitive prices; they have a worldwide presence. “Wal-Mart operates under 69 different banners in 27 countries. With fiscal year 2012 sales of approximately $444 billion, Wal-Mart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide” (www.corporatewalmart.com). The success that Wal-Mart has had since the first store opened in 1962 is tremendous and certainly speaks to the dedication and vision that Sam Walton had and passed off to the many associates who are carrying that torch.

Wal-Mart is not solely focused on just the success of the stores; they also give back in a major...