Walmart

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THE WAL-MART STORES, INC.: AN AMERICAN

DREAM THAT TOUCHED THE WORLD

Issam A. Ghazzawi, University of La Verne

Marie Palladini, California State University, Dominquez Hills

Teresa Martinelli-Lee, University of La Verne

.

Throughout my career, I’ve always emphasized performance. And I’m really proud of the

performance of our team around the world and the results Wal-Mart delivered for fiscal year

2010 in a year challenged by a difficult economy in all of our markets. Our results reflect the

underlying strength of our business and our strategies to improve shareholder value.

Michael T. Duke

President and Chief Executive Officer

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

CASE DESCRIPTION

In 2011, Wal-Mart grew through the opening of additional stores across the United

States and other countries. While the company sales were strong, the U.S. operating income was

sluggish with a mere 3.1% growth versus a 5.5% growth in the previous year. Looking for

additional growth opportunities, Wal-Mart’s strategy included a plan to open convenience stores

(c-stores) in a number of markets encompassing urban and rural markets both in the U.S. and in

its international segments.

This case is intended to demonstrate how Wal-Mart used its distinctive competencies and

competitive advantage in the marketplace; what challenges it encountered; and what strategies it

should adopt to sustain growth.

CASE SYNOPSIS

As a teenager, Sam Walton was described by his classmates as the most versatile member

of his high school class. Knowing that anything was possible in America, the versatile young

man lived his life based on the edict that high expectations were the key to everything (Bio True

Story, n. d.). As a star quarterback at Hickman High School, an Eagle Scout, and the recipient

of a degree in economics from the University of Missouri, Sam Walton was an enigma. Married

49 years to the same woman, and a father of four, this ardent huntsman and recreational

enthusiast,...