Walmart U.S. Case Study
Walmart Inc. is a multinational retail company that operates various chains of discounted stores, supermarket, grocery stores, and hypermarkets. The company operates in the U.S and other nations (approximately 4769 stores worldwide) and primarily produces and sells goods to targeted customers (Walmart.com, 54). It is managed from the national headquarter and all the local stores aim to satisfy the customers. All goods are applied by the national headquarter. Consequently, the bar codes for all the items are as well generated through a central computer located at the national headquarters.
The company utilizes a computer-based technology which allows for instantaneous transfer of a product’s bar code information to the main database. This happens when the item’s bar code is recognized at the checkout aisle. The utilization of the data warehouse identifies when products should be restocked and then directly places the order to the distribution center or to the vendors through the “just-in-time” inventory management system. The orders are collected by the central computer located at the headquarters and then transmitted to the vendors, suppliers, and the distribution centers. The company prioritizes on recycling and vendors are encouraged to minimize packaging. Walmart sells their own products as well as licensed products. It primarily aims to acquire goods from regional and local vendors rather than purchasing cheaper alternatives from other regions. The firm’s stores tend to maintain a uniform pricing within a nation, except for regions where lower prices are considered a necessity in matching the local competition. The sales are primarily executed on a self-service and cash only basis to lower expenses and maximize inventory turnover and sales volume. Its sales program also allows for the bank credit and card programs to be utilized in all its stores. Its logistics procedures entails the LIFO (both cost LIFO and fast-in, first-out technique) method for all its segments.
Work Cited
Walmart.com. 2019 Annual Report: Defining the future of Retail, 2019, s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2019/annual/Walmart-2019-AR-Final.pdf. Accessed 6 Nov. 2019.