Walmart - Three Strategies

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less need to lay off associates in hard times and can keep business operating more efficiently.

3. Do you feel that Walmart changed after the death of Sam Walton? If so, in what ways has it changed?

Ans 3. Yes, Walmart changed after the death of Sam Walton. The slow growth of Walmart has been an evidence of the change.

The new management started diverting from Sam Walton’s basic principles “everyday low prices for the American working class” to increasing prices of some items, while promoting “deals” on others.

The current management of Walmart began to respond to the rise of competition by trying to do what other companies were doing. Instead of being the competition, Walmart began chasing the competition.

Walmart started losing customers. The former Walmart executive Jimmy Wright said, “The basic Walmart customer didn’t leave Walmart. What happened is that Walmart left the customer.”

4. If you were made CEO of Walmart, what changes would you make? Where would you start in trying to “fix” Walmart? Why?

Ans.4 The changes that I as the CEO of Walmart would make are :-

Firstly, pay attention to the the inventory quantity and check for overstocking or scarcity of any product.

Secondly, focus on integration of physical and digital retail.

Thirdly regain the competitive advantage over the rivals by following Walmart’s basic principle of providing everyday low prices.

Next priority would be empowering managers and associates with more freedom and decision-making in merchandising.

5. How would you handle the company’s negative public relations? What does it need to do differently on this front?

Ans.5 The negative public relations of the company need to be handled effectively. Walmart can adopt the following tips to handle the bad publicity :-

i). Correction of inaccurate information:- if there is any false information in circulation, the company should come up and clearly state the correct information.

ii). Use facts to enhance credibility:- providing correct information with evidences is a must to improve the public image of the company.

iii). Show other positives about the company:- company can take opportunity to highlight important positive aspects about itself.

iv). Advantage of social media:- Utilizing the social media in such situations can be helpful in putting forth the company’s opinion and also obtaining feedback from the public.