Financial Managment Analysis

Cardiff Metropolitan University

London School of Commerce

MODULE TITLE: - International Business (IB)

PROGRAMME: BA

SEMESTER: Semester three/four

ACADEMIC YEAR PERIOD: Feb-May 2015

LECTURER SETTING ASSESSMENT: - David Mwaura

DATE ASSESSMENT SET AND LOADED ON TO STUDENT PORTAL:-

DATE ASSESSMENT TO BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTTED:-

20th April 2015

SUBMISSION METHOD/MODE:-

Online via Turnitin (Student portal)

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Assessment Type: Case Study Analysis

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Indicative Assessment Requirements for the Module;

Read the following case study and answer ALL three questions: (Question 1-40 marks; Question 2-30 marks and Question 3- 30 marks)

Wal-Mart Foreign Expansion

Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, has built its success on a strategy of everyday low prices, and highly efficient operations, logistics, and information systems that keep inventory to a minimum and ensures against both overstocking and understocking. The company employs some 2.1 million people, operates 4,200 stores in the United States and 3,600 in the rest of the world, and generates sales of almost $400 billion (as of fiscal 2008). Approximately $91 billion of these sales were generated in 15 nations outside the United States.

Facing a slowdown in growth in the United States, Wal-Mart began its international expansion in the early 1990s when it entered Mexico, teaming up in a joint venture with Cifra, Mexico’s largest retailer, to open a series of supercentres that sell both groceries and general merchandise.

Initially the retailer hit some headwinds in Mexico. It quickly discovered that Mexicans shopping habits were different. More people preferred to buy fresh produce at local stores, particularly items like meat, tortillas and...