Introduction In this scholarly activity, I will create and then analyze a SWOT Analysis of Wal-Mart making recommendations for the management team for future growth. I will ensure that the marketing and management teams understand how to use the SWOT Analysis to solve current problems and prevent future issues. Also as a tool for helping, understand the external environment and internal environment of the company as a whole through understanding the individual needs of stores based on location.
Wal-Mart the Beginning Our History, Wal-Mart (2016), noted how Sam Walton 's began his legacy in Rogers Arkansas in July 1962 with the single idea of offering the good products at low prices all the time allowing people to benefit from such a family
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For example, Wal-Mart is very conscience of local, and international laws and regulations especially in smaller areas where the agriculture is so rich and important to the residents as this is part of the small town charm in such a big city corporation. Additionally Wal-Mart is very driven to the environment and pledge to become more environmentally sustainable and reduce its carbon footprint in 2005.
SWOT Analysis - Wal-Mart
STRENGTHS • Brand Recognition - 54 years of offering competitive prices for quality products
• Business is established and has continued to grow since 1962
• Great company values & mission statements putting customer satisfaction a top priority
• Supporting Community & National Programs such as United Way, American Heart Association and Feeding America
• Great value on good quality items
• Atmosphere is similar to family with friendly, well trained, happy staff
• Clean stores with easy access for
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Once the SWOT Analysis has been completed, the marketing and management team for Wal-Mart would be able to see where they are succeeding and what areas need attention. For example, strength would be brand recognition, which is very strong with everyone recognizing the logo, colors, and the mission of the company. Missing opportunities such as offering layaway all year would increase profits and customer satisfaction is something that can be addressed and implemented if it is found to be
A SWOT Analysis can be powerful to any company. The SWOT analysis for PetSmart allows them to expose opportunities that otherwise could be missed ("SWOT Analysis," n.d.). An additional benefit of a PetSmart SWOT analysis is gives the company an understanding of their weaknesses, which can result in a competitive edge for its competitor. Understanding strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threat as a company will give PetSmart an advantage over a company who chooses to ignore this type of analysis. In addition, PetSmart can eradicate any possible threats that could catch them off guard ("SWOT Analysis," n.d.).
Wal-Mart was conceived and founded by Sam Walton in 1962, at Rogers, Arkansas. Sam Walton started with just a few small variety stores, funded with borrowed money. His goal was to provide affordable products to the public to make life easier. After his success with the first few stores, Sam Walton borrowed more money to build more stores, creating the Wal-Mart empire as we see it today. The retail giant proves its stoic presence in our lives with its $401 billion sales for fiscal year 2009.
According to Smithson, Walmart can expand its markets to new and emerging markets especially in the third world countries, which can significantly increase its revenues. Secondly, the company can reform is employment practices and improve the quality standard and in doing so, attract more customers and improve its brand image. On the other hand, the company faces threats such as the rising healthy lifestyle trend I that the company in most cases does not provide customers with healthy goods. At the same time, the company can capitalize on this aspect and increase its revenues. Aggressive competition from other discount retailers such as Target creates a great threat to the company (Smithson, 2015).
The SWOT analysis: The study of the firm's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats called SWOT analysis, a key step in flushing out known performance issues that are important to the growth of the organization addressed in the corporation strategic plan. The issues identified in the SWOT analysis help leadership to come up with a plan and strategy to achieve the overall mission of the company (Strategic Planning, n, d). Target Corporation is one of the largest public retailing company in the US having more than 1700 stores serving guests nationwide. Target group and its brand position are evaluated in the market using SWOT analysis.--
There have been many criticisms and outrages about Wal-Mart and its growing presence, as many people who oppose the company believe it brings nothing but negative outcomes to communities and economies around the United States. This claim is not true as Wal-Mart may have some downfalls and unintended negative effects but overall proves to have a positive affect on the economy of the United States as a whole. Wal-Mart pays its employees comparable rates, gives them comparable benefits, has little to no effect on surrounding small businesses (often times even having positive effects), does not play a negative role in the unemployment problem in the U.S., and provides communities with employment, access to cheap goods, and provides low income consumers with the opportunity to increase their quality of life.
In 1966, Richard M Schulze, the founder and chairman of Best Buy Co., established Sound of Music, Inc. in St. Paul Minnesota. Focusing on home and car stereo systems, Sound of Music, Inc. reached approximately $170,000 at the first-year sales. After four years, Schulze proceeded to expand his retail chain. However, in 1981, Schulze realized that there were limitations and not much of a foreseeable future in only selling audio components. Then, he expended his offerings to include appliances and VCRs. The largest and most profitable Sound of Music store was hit by a tornado. Everything had been destroyed, but storeroom. Schulze came up a quick sale plan, “Tornado Sale”, to clear the damaged and excess stock. He
Wal-Mart initially began its operations in 1945, when Sam Walton leased a ‘Ben Franklin’ franchise variety store in Newport, Arkansas. After relocating to Rogers, Arkansas in the early 1950s, Sam Walton’s ‘Ben Franklin’ became ‘Walton’s 5 & 10’. By 1962, Walton found himself the chain owner of 11 different Walton’s stores across Arkansas. He then decided to rename the chain ‘Wal-Mart’, after himself. On October 31, 1969, after further expansion across the state, the chain was incorporated as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Three years later, Wal-Mart was approved and listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Control systems – Costco has an Enterprise Facility Information management system, each Costco is connected to corporate, the EFIM provides real-time information, management of control systems (like energy), and an inventory management system that allows suppliers to monitor their own stock levels at any Costco. The EFIM reduces costs related to energy consumption, maintenance, and contracted services
In every business, there is an analysis called the SWOT, it is the Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of a company. Wendy’s is a company that is against the use of frozen ingredients and it is a fast food place that has a slogan “Quality is our Recipe”.
A SWOT analysis is simple exercise that could be implemented on multiple subjects including an individual or a whole corporation. The SWOT analysis is an operational tool for managing change, defining strategic direction and setting realistic goals and objectives according to Simoneaux and Stroud (2011). Discovering new opportunities and manage and eliminate threats that are present in the company and the surrounding market. SWOT is a valuable technique that leads to a better understanding of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and treats both internally and externally. The strengths and weakness are to be considered internal factors and opportunities and threats to be e...
SWOT analysis is a necessary tool for business that allows corporations to analyze where their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats lie. The SWOT tool contains paramount information about the industry and helps the executives of the business make decisions that are necessary for the business’s survival and success.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is in the discount, variety stores industry. It was founded in 1945, Bentonville in Arkansas which is also the headquarters of Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart operates locally as well as worldwide. It operated 1209 discount stores, 1980 super centers, and 567 Sam’s Club by January 31, 2006. It has also extended its operations to many international countries. It runs its retail stores in two forms: Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart Stores. The Sam’s Club sells assorted product lines such as hardwares, electronics, jewelry, and to mention a few. The Wal-Mart stores also offer similar products in addition to the following: health and beauty products, apparel for women, men and children, household appliances etc (www.yahoo.finance.com). The Vision Statement, Mission Statement, Values and Code of Conduct, Corporate Governance: Directors, Executive Management, Committees and Stakeholder will be the key elements that will discussed in this report as it relates to Wal-Mart. In addition to that, the major trends in the general/macro environment and industry will be analyzed.
A SWOT analysis is used to assess a company’s strengths and weaknesses found within the company, as well as opportunities and threats that emerge from the external environment. In this analysis, the main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing the Ford Motor Company will be discussed to provide a powerful analysis tool that supports the planning process for marketers.
These decisions were made using a SWOT analysis. The managers were able to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the company and adjust their strategy to optimize the situation.
At the age of twenty-four he joined the military, and a year later married a woman named Helen Robson. His service ended in 1945, and from then on, Sam and Helen moved around a lot while Sam learned some early retailing experience. In 1950, they moved to Bentonville where Sam open his first store; Walton’s 5 & 10 on the downtown square. Encouraged by the success of his store, Sam opened the first Walmart in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas. Sam believed a successful business could be built around offering lower prices and great service.