Wal-Mart Stores in 2003

Wal-Mart Stores decided in 2003 Wal-Mart Stores is one of the world's most successful retail chains and has a competitive advantage over competitors. With unique features such as powerful IT systems, supplier management, logistics systems, Wal-Mart can respond quickly to changes in demand, maintain low cost and meet customer's needs. The framework used for the analysis is analyzed using the value chain framework to analyze the current situation and activities of Wal-Mart.

Our identification strategy is driven by a system model where Wal-Mart stores are open. Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton opened its first Wal-Mart store in Rogers, Arkansas in Benton County in 1962. Five years later, Wal-Mart has 18 stores, with annual sales of 9 million dollars. Wal-Mart initially grew into a local chain in the northwestern part of Arkansas. It then spreads to neighboring states like Oklahoma, Missouri and Louisiana. From there, after the market was basically saturated, it continued to expand to other parts of the country (Slater, 2003, pp. 28-29). The relationship between the opening date of the Wal-Mart store and the distance from the headquarters is mainly the result of Wal-Mart's "saturation" growth strategy, which is based on store management, distribution and word of mouth advertisement. In his autobiography, Sam Walton states the motivation for control and distribution as follows.

Wal-Mart was founded in 1962 by Sam Walton. The goal that Walton assumed when opening the first store was to save people's money to help people live a better life. The first Wal-Mart store opened in Rogers, Arkansas. Currently it is the largest food retailer in the United States. More than 8,800 Wal-Mart stores in 15 countries. There are one million people in the world. In 1983, the first warehouse of the Sam 's Club opened. The first Super Mall opened in 1988. Ten years later, Wal-Mart launched a neighboring market. The original store is now called a discount department store. The head office and distribution center are located in Bentonville, Arkansas. In 2010, Wal-Mart's total sales reached $ 450 billion ("Wal-Mart", 2011).

Wal-Mart's retail stores are operated in various forms around the world. Generally, the business is divided into three main sections: Wal-Mart store, Sam club and international store. Wal-Mart stores are further categorized into discount stores, super shopping centers, and neighboring markets. On the other hand, Sam 's Club is a business unit composed of member warehouse clubs. According to the New York Stock Exchange (2005), as of January 31, 2004, Wal-Mart stores operated approximately 1,478 discount stores, 1,471 super shopping centers, 538 Sam's clubs and 64 neighboring markets in the United States I will. In addition to this vast local business, Wal-Mart and its international division are developing retail business in 8 countries and Puerto Rico. The international market segment of Wal-Mart is divided into several formats such as retail stores, restaurants, discount stores, Sam Club, Super Mall.