Supply-Chain and Inventory

Supply-Chain and Inventory

Global Supply Chain Management

Webster University

Paul Fields

Abstract

Wal-Mart is a complex organization with many different types of stores. Through understanding the different kinds of stores that the company offers its customers you can begin to understand the company. To deliver goods to the thousands of stores that Wal-Mart has needs to be understood as well. This paper states a brief overview of how Wal-Mart’s supply-chain works. Then we dive into some of in stock issues that Wal-Mart is having. After this the paper goes into some its sustainable practices within its supply-chain.

Company Background

Wal-Mart is a $466 billion dollar company with 2.2 million associates around the world. They have over 10,700 stores that are under 69 banners in 27 countries. This is according to their corporate website. The Wal-Mart stores in the U.S. come in a variety of formats

Wal-Mart Discount Stores: These Wal-Marts come in a variety of sizes from 51,000 square feet to 224,000 square feet. This is according to their 2010 annual report. Many of these stores have a garden center, a pharmacies, Tire & Lube Express, optical center, and a one hour photo center.

Wal-Mart Supercenter: These Wal-Marts are between 98,000 to 261,00 square feet (Annual Report, 2010). These have a little more to offer than the discount stores. These include fast food outlets such as Subway. They usually have a bank branch in them of some sort as well.

Wal-Mart Market: These are a chain of grocery stores that average aout 42,000 square feet (Annual Report, 2010). They are used to fill the gap between discount store and supercenters, offering a variety of products, which include full lines of groceries, pharmaceuticals, health and beauty aids, photo developing services, and a limited selection of general merchandise.

Supermercado de Wal-Mart: These are located in Hispanic communities in the U.S. They are about 36,00 square...