{"id":3452,"date":"2015-12-08T18:58:22","date_gmt":"2015-12-08T23:58:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/walmart-save-money-live-better-retail-for-everyone\/"},"modified":"2015-12-08T18:58:22","modified_gmt":"2015-12-08T23:58:22","slug":"walmart-save-money-live-better-retail-for-everyone","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/walmart-save-money-live-better-retail-for-everyone\/","title":{"rendered":"Walmart: Save Money. Live Better. Retail for Everyone."},"content":{"rendered":"

Walmart is the largest global retailer, with over 2.2 million employees, 260 weekly customers, and 11,500 individual store locations1<\/sup>. As a company, Walmart aims to \u201chelp people around the world save money and live better2<\/sup>.\u201d The company\u2019s mission translates into a business model through Walmart’s market penetration and pricing. Walmart aims to deliver value by 1) offering customers everyday low pricing (\u201cEDLP\u201d) across consumable goods; 2) maximizing reach via a large footprint of retail stores and e-commerce.<\/p>\n

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Walmart is cheap merchandise. \u00a0Walmart champions its leadership in pricing, offering an array of quality, branded merchandise at lowest possible costs. As a result of its strategy, Walmart sacrifices gross margin to maximize its customer base. For example, Walmart\u2019s current gross margins stand at ~25% vs. ~30% for Target, a key competitor3<\/sup>. However, Walmart is able to offset foregone gross margin with increased volume and higher absolute sales and profit levels. This creates a positive cycle, as higher sales and volumes provide further leverage to Walmart to lower prices and attract more customers.<\/p>\n

Walmart effectively aligns its operating model with its business model to create value for customers and shareholders alike. Below are key aspects of its operating model, which have allowed Walmart to achieve its position as the largest global retailer, with a market capitalization of ~$200 billion, revenues of over $480 billion, and EBITDA of ~$35 billion.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

\"circle\"<\/p>\n

Operating Model and Its Alignment to the Business Model<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

At the core of Walmart\u2019s operating initiatives is a focus on minimizing costs and maximizing volumes.<\/p>\n

1) EDLP:<\/strong> As stated, Walmart offers permanently low prices rather than high-low pricing and frequent promotions. As a result, the company is able to build trust with customers. Consumers are subsequently loyal to the brand, driving frequent purchases and, thus, sales volume.<\/p>\n

2) Suppliers relationships<\/strong>: Walmart is notorious for ruthless and aggressive negotiations with all suppliers. Given its enormous footprint and sales volumes, Walmart has the power and leverage to \u201cmake or break\u201d any brand it offers. For example, Walmart accounts for more than 20% of revenues of several large packaged food companies, including General Mills, Kellogg, and Hanesbrands4<\/sup>. As a result of negotiating low prices with suppliers, Walmart can maintain a low cost structure and pass along ultimate savings to customers.<\/p>\n

\"walmart_super\"<\/p>\n

3)<\/strong> Retail channels:<\/strong> Walmart opened its first discount store in 1962. Walmart currently has ~500 such stores, which offer general merchandise in ~100,000 square foot spaces. The Supercenter, started in 1988, is larger (~180,000 square feet) and designed to be a one-stop shop for consumers, offering groceries, which now comprise ~56% of sales, and general merchandise. ~3,500 such stores exist. The Neighborhood Market stores, started in 1998, offer a smaller footprint for communities in need of pharmacy, groceries, and merchandise. Such stores are smaller at ~38,000 square feet1,2<\/sup>. Walmart also operates Sam\u2019s Clubs, a key Costco competitor. Moreover, Walmart has invested in e-commerce and mobile commerce to complement its retail footprint. The company has a presence in every state in the U.S. and stores across 26 other countries5<\/sup>. Walmart\u2019s significant retail footprint and digital offering allow it to maximize customer reach across geographies. Such a strategy to maximize market penetration is very much in line with its business model. Walmart is able to maximize its customer base by reach and by offering diverse products. This, in turn, allows Walmart to maximize sales volume globally.<\/p>\n

Through hard-nosed negotiations with suppliers, Walmart is able to minimize product cost and pass through savings via everyday low pricing. Walmart is able to maximize customer reach by operating a variety of retail stores and complementing such stores with a strong digital offering. As a result, Walmart is able to execute on its business model and maximize sales volume and profitability.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sources:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0http:\/\/corporate.walmart.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Walmart 2014\u00a0Annual Report<\/p>\n

3. Capital IQ<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0http:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2015-09-11\/wal-mart-sparks-battle-with-suppliers-over-margin-squeezing-fees<\/a><\/p>\n

5.\u00a0http:\/\/corporate.walmart.com\/our-story\/our-business<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Walmart\u2019s unrelenting focus on minimizing costs and low-priced items continues to create value for consumers. But how has the world\u2019s largest retailer achieved its success?\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1284,"featured_media":3481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[110,638,578,637],"class_list":["post-3452","hck-submission","type-hck-submission","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-low-cost-uncategorized","category-retail-giant","category-tom-winner","category-walmart"],"connected_submission_link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/assignment\/the-tom-challenge-tom-winners-and-losers-assignment\/","yoast_head":"\nWalmart: Save Money. Live Better. 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