Wal-Mart and the American Economy

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that Wal-Mart is considered the largest retailer in respect to global sales in the world. The writer points out that it is a discount chain that originated in the U.S. and that, according to the specificity of each location, offers a wide range of products. The writer then explains that the expansion of the company was realized by a blending approach between building new stores and acquiring other already existing retailers. The writer concludes that one must realize that the most important force which should manage a healthy market is the competition. The writer argues that Americans themselves have initiated a movement against the colossal power of Wal-Mart, suggesting that it should change its business conduct.

From the Paper:

"Starting in 1962 as a national company operating only in U.S., Wal-Mart was expanded in 1991, when a SAM's Club opened near Mexico City. Sam Walton, the successful entrepreneur who founded the company saw his firm rapidly increasing worldwide. Currently, there are more than 2,660 units in fourteen countries. More than 500,000 associates reside in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, South Korea, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. "
"The expansion of the company was realized by a blending approach between building new stores and acquiring other already existing retailers."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "International Operations", Wal-Mart website, 14th Nov 2006, http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=369
• Mander, Kai and Boston, Alex. "Wal-Mart Worldwide, The Making of a Global Retailer", The Ecologist vol.25, no.6, Nov/Dec 1995
• Fishman, Charles. "The Wal-Mart You Don't Know", Fast Company website, Dec 2003, 14th Nov 2006, http://www.fastcompany.com/online/77/walmart.html
• "Why Wal-Mart Must Change", Wake-Up Wal-Mart website, http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/change/
• Smith, Hedrick. "Who Calls the Shots in the Global Economy?", Frontline website, Nov 2004, 14th Nov 2006, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/secrets/shots.html

More papers on Wal-Mart and the American Economy:

• Persuasive Essay # 149665 : "Wal-Mart as a Negative Force in the American Economy"
• Research Paper # 92822 : "Wal-Mart's Success and the U.S. Economy"
• Research Paper # 92616 : "Wal-Mart's Global Success"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: