Case Study Wal-Mart Stores Strategies for Dominance in the New Millennium
Wal-Mart was founded in 1962, with a chain of 15 stores, owned and operated by Samuel and James “Bud” Walton. The entrepreneurial brothers began as Ben Franklin franchisees, in Arkansas. 14 years later, the decision was made to focus on growing the Wal-Mart stores and phasing out the Ben Franklin stores they controlled. By the end of 1999, by focusing on their strengths and taking advantage of opportunities other organizations did not, Wal-Mart grew to nearly 4000 stores. (Pearce & Robinson, 2003, p. 27-7) With the approach of the new millennium, Wal-Mart must continue to utilize their strengths and seek out new opportunities, while understanding that their weaknesses and external threats could hinder their continued growth.
