Walmart Case Study | Best Case Study Topics

The picture provides introductory information about Walmart.

Did you know that Walmart is the world’s largest company by revenue? Walmart Inc. makes nearly a trillion dollars annually and has 2.3 million employees. And what makes Walmart even more remarkable is that it is the world’s biggest family-owned business! Below are a lot of helpful business lessons a student can take away from doing the Walmart case study.

🍭5 Unknown Facts about Walmart

  1. Sam Walton founded the retail giant Walmart. He opened the first store in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962. By 1967, the family owned 24 stores with $12.7 million in sales.
  2. Walmart’s yellow logo is often mistaken for a flower. However, it symbolizes the spark of Sam Walton’s inspiration that helped him open the first store.
  3. 90% of the population in the United States lives less than 10 miles from a Walmart store. It’s almost impossible to avoid shopping at Walmart!
  4. Walmart actively uses robots at 350 stores to wash floors, check shelf stock, and scan for price errors.
  5. There is even a Walmart Museum in Arkansas. It is located in the historical building, the first store Sam Walton opened. Check out business essays about Walmart to learn more about the company!

πŸ’‘ Walmart Case Study – Topic Ideas

Various factors contribute to Walmart’s business performance. When doing a Walmart case study, you can choose the sphere that interests you the most. Here’s the list of possible topic ideas.

  • The history of Walmart company.
  • Influence on the U.S. market.
  • Corporate values and vision.
  • Financial performance over the years.
  • Operating divisions and departments.
  • International expansion.
  • Walmart’s bestselling products and brands.
  • Supply chain.
  • Marketing strategies and e-commerce.
  • Sustainability and CSR policy.
  • Environmental initiatives.
  • Employment and internships at Walmart.
  • Walmart’s strategic management.
  • Key competitors in the retail market.
  • Criticism and controversies around Walmart.
The picture explains where the name 'Walmart' comes from.

πŸ€“ Walmart Case Study Strategic Management

  1. Walmart’s design of goods and services
    Walmart’s consumer goods are designed to be easy to mass-produce and cheap. However, the company owns some more expensive brands, like Great Value and Sam’s Choice. Walmart actively uses recycled materials in its product designs to reduce its carbon footprint.
  2. Walmart’s quality management
    Since Walmart is a giant corporation with numerous individual stores, providing quality control is difficult. In 2010, the company decided to join the Global Food Safety Initiative. Today Walmart’s food suppliers undergo factory checks, including the production of meat, fish, and ready-to-eat meals.
  3. Walmart’s location strategy
    Walmart aims to maximize accessibility for consumers by building new stores near urban centers and the most populated areas. According to statistics, 95% of U.S. shoppers nowadays spend money at Walmart.

🌐 Walmart Global Challenges

  1. Walmart’s international presence
    Today Walmart’s international presence includes 5,224 stores in 23 countries outside the U.S. The top international locations are:
    • The UK,
    • Canada,
    • Brazil,
    • Argentina.

    Moreover, Walmart is the largest private employer in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
  2. Walmart’s success in international markets
    Its unique business model and market entrance strategies are essential to Walmart’s success in international markets. For example, Walmart promotes the “Everyday Low Prices” program, attracting new customers in the U.S. and other countries.
  3. Walmart’s international challenges
    The biggest challenge for Walmart’s managers is to understand their local customers’ needs in every country they serve. India and China are excellent examples of this challenge. Large stores are expensive in these countries, and people prefer smaller neighborhood stores. Walmart has to convince potential customers that they can provide fresh and quality products at low prices.

🚚 Walmart Supply Chain Management Case Study

  1. An overview of Walmart’s supply chain
    Overall, Walmart operates in more than 11,700 stores under 59 company brands in 28 countries worldwide. Having effective supply chain management is essential for such an influential company. Luckily, Walmart has become the perfect example of successful supply chain management transitioning from a regional retailer to a global one.
  2. Fewer links in Walmart’s supply chain
    Walmart’s supply chain innovation began when the company removed a few of the chain’s links. In the 1980s, Walmart decided to work directly with the manufacturers to cut costs. The company’s supply chain has only become more effective since then.
  3. An inventory innovation at Walmart
    Walmart has always found products at the best price from suppliers who can meet the company’s demand. Walmart establishes strategic partnerships with most of its vendors, offering them long-term and high-volume purchases for the lowest possible prices.
The picture provides facts about the best-selling item of Walmart.

πŸ‹οΈβ€β™‚οΈ Walmart Competitive Advantage Case Study

  1. Walmart’s key competitors
    Walmart offers a wide range of products, such as:
    • Furniture,
    • Electronics,
    • Clothes,
    • Groceries.

    The company serves over 265 million customers online and in its numerous stores per week. To maintain its market leadership, Walmart has to compete with brands like Amazon, Target, and Costco.
  2. Walmart’s cost leadership
    Walmart’s key competitive advantage is that it offers low prices. The company’s slogan says, “Always low prices, always Walmart.” However, Walmart ensures that its low prices will always be backed by quality and a wide selection of recognizable brands.
  3. The power of Walmart’s customer service
    Walmart has one of the retail sector’s most favorable customer service policies. The company allows customers to return the goods up to 90 days after the purchase, even without the receipt.

πŸ›οΈ Walmart Vs. Amazon Case Study

  1. Walmart vs. Amazon: financial performance
    At the end of 2020, Walmart had a revenue of $559 billion, with more than 2.3 million employees working for the company. When it comes to Amazon, the overall income was $386 billion, with around 1.3 million employees worldwide. Even though Walmart maintains economic leadership, Amazon is rapidly developing and might surpass Walmart in 2022.
  2. Walmart vs. Amazon: focus on customers
    Both Amazon and Walmart work hard to improve their customers’ experience. However, they differ in some approaches, resulting from Amazon focusing on e-commerce and Walmart enhancing customers’ shopping experience in stores.
  3. Walmart vs. Amazon: technology
    Walmart and Amazon are known for using innovative technology in the retail sphere. For example, in Boston, Amazon has the Amazon Robotics department, where robots are built to enhance customer experience. At the same time, Walmart has a unique technology for online order fulfillment. Walmart’s Alphabot chooses, packs, and transports online grocery items according to customers’ preferences.

🧸 Walmart Gender Discrimination Case Study

  1. The lawsuit against Walmart
    In February 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) introduced a lawsuit against a Walmart store in Iowa. The lawsuit states that Walmart had violated federal law by providing a Black female employee an unsanitary place to breastfeed her child because of her race and gender.
  2. The statement from Walmart
    Walmart’s representatives insist that the company does not tolerate discrimination. Moreover, diversity and inclusion have always been vital corporate values for Walmart. The company announced that it is ready to investigate the case matter and will address all the claims in court.
  3. A lesson to learn from the Walmart discrimination case.
    To avoid the harmful effects of gender discrimination in the future, Walmart needs to have women present at all levels of management. Workplace rules and norms can only be established by someone who can relate to female employees’ problems and needs.

πŸ’Έ Walmart Bribery Case Study

  1. An overview of the Walmart bribery case
    Walmart has been profiting from international expansion for many years. However, it was claimed that the company hadn’t taken the necessary steps to avoid corruption. In 2020, the Justice Department said that Walmart’s subsidiaries in Mexico, India, Brazil, and China had paid government officials to obtain store licenses.
  2. Walmart’s response to the accusation
    The retailer’s chief executive of Walmart promised to enhance the company’s policies, procedures, and systems that control ethics and compliance. Walmart also stated that it had spent over $900 million on related matters, including investigations and its global compliance program.
  3. Walmart’s financial losses
    Walmart was charged to pay more than $144 million to settle the charges by the Securities and Exchange Commission and around $138 million to resolve the charges by the U.S. Department of Justice.

⏳ Walmart Crisis Management

  1. Walmart’s disaster preparedness & response strategy
    Walmart’s disaster preparedness strategy is a part of the company’s Global Security program. This program protects the company’s employees, facilities, information, and inventory. A team of Walmart’s emergency management experts is responsible for the prevention and recovery efforts.
  2. Walmart’s crisis management during the Covid-19
    Walmart didn’t have to close when Coronavirus hit, being a major essential retailer. The company even benefited from the customers stocking in stores and buying goods online. To ensure the stores operate safely, Walmart provided the employees with all the protective measures and paid sick leaves.
  3. Walmart’s crisis management for “Fat Girl Costumes”
    In 2014, Walmart reached out to the plus-size market by offering online shoppers a section of “Fat Girl Costumes.” Many Twitter users found it offensive and asked Walmart for a public apology. Walmart removed the category in less than 5 hours and apologized on Twitter.

πŸ‘ Walmart Case Study – 45 Best Examples

  1. Wal-Mart: sustainable competitive advantage.
    This essay talks about the factors contributing to Walmart’s market sustainability.
  2. Performance analysis of Wal-Mart.
    This writing compares Walmart’s financial performance over the years and suggests ways to improve it.
  3. Wal-Mart product design and decision making.
    This study investigates how technology advancements benefit Walmart’s product design and sales.
  4. Walmart company’s productivity project management.
    This essay analyses the tools Walmart implies to increase its employees’ productivity.
  5. Walmart and Amazon companies’ financial analysis.
    This paper compares the two retail giants by analyzing their financial performance.
  6. An employee motivation program for Walmart.
    This essay suggests an innovative motivational approach to attract new talents to work at Walmart.
  7. Financial analysis of Walmart.
    This paper examines how Walmart’s pricing strategy contributes to the enterprise’s success.
  8. Walmart supply chain case study.
    This case study focuses on the challenges Walmart faces while trying to manage its supply chain.
  9. Walmart: commercials’ role in affirming a significant brand.
    This essay analyzes the two advertisements to understand the commercials’ role in affirming Walmart’s position as a significant brand.
  10. Bribery at Wal-Mart in Mexico.
    This study undercovers Walmart’s chain of unlawful activities in Mexico that violated the foreign corrupt practices act.
  11. Wal-mart: company background, history, and strategies.
    This study looks at Walmart’s development since 1962 when Sam Walton opened the first store.
  12. Wal-Mart Incorporation’s low-price attraction.
    This paper evaluates Walmart’s strategies to deliver quality products to the customers and maintain its low-price strategy.
  13. Wal-Mart: marketing services analysis.
    This essay suggests ways to develop Walmart’s people management strategies to extend the service marketing success to the customers.
  14. Wal-Mart: strategic management.
    This paper seeks to look into Walmart’s planned expansion and the opportunities presented by the Asian and Europe markets.
  15. Wal-Mart: organizational behavior concepts.
    This paper investigates the key features of Walmart’s organizational culture and how it influences the company’s performance.
  16. Digital transformation of Walmart.
    This essay looks into how Walmart has overcome marketing challenges in the digital era.
  17. Walmart supply chain management.
    This paper evaluates the sustainability and supplier relationship management used by Walmart.
  18. Walmart Inc: marketing research for consumer perception.
    This paper analyzes Walmart and its key competitors and their brand images.
  19. Walmart company’s global leadership strategies.
    This essay investigates the reasons behind Walmart’s failure in Germany.
  20. Walmart company’s organizational culture.
    This paper analyzes the leadership style of Walmart’s managers and how it influences the company’s performance.
  21. Business ethics: is Wal-Mart good or bad?
    This paper analyzes Walmart from three perspectives: employees, stakeholders, and customers.
  22. Wal-Mart: company analysis and strategy recommendation.
    This case study reveals the future trends of the supermarket industry and what Walmart can do to adapt to them.
  23. Wal-Mart company’s impact on stakeholders.
    This paper explores the bittersweet relationship between Walmart and its stakeholders.
  24. McDonald’s vs. Wal-Mart’s strategic choices.
    This essay compares the strategic decisions that allowed the two companies to become leaders in their industries.
  25. Wal-Mart after entry into the Chinese market.
    This case study discusses why the Chinese market was unfavorable for Walmart’s stores.
  26. Walmart company’s transportation and supply chain management.
    This case study challenges the effectiveness of Walmart’s supply chain management.
  27. Walmart company’s human resource strategies.
    This paper explores the human resource environment at Walmart.
  28. Walmart corporation’s strategic planning.
    This paper suggests a strategic plan for Walmart to improve its growth and performance in five to ten years.
  29. Walmart Inc.’s supply chain evaluation in China.
    This case study indicates the significant issues of Walmart’s supply chain in China and what the company needs to do to address them.
  30. Walmart company’s global strategy and international business.
    This paper provides a detailed analysis of Wal-Mart’s international business and looks at some company-established approaches.
  31. Wal-Mart’s and Tesco’s monopolies in the retail industry.
    This essay investigates how Walmart and Tesco influence the nature of the retail market and structure.
  32. Wal-Mart and environmental pressures.
    This study analyzes how modern organizational and environmental pressures make Walmart change and evolve.
  33. Wal-Mart: issues in management.
    This essay focuses on the main challenges of international expansion Walmart’s management deals with.
  34. The company Wal-Mart: an overview.
    This paper studies the factors that contribute to Walmart’s extraordinary growth.
  35. Wal-Mart company’s operations management.
    This paper focuses on the issue of empty shelves that faced the operations management function at Walmart during the Coronavirus.
  36. Wal-Mart’s low-cost provider strategy.
    This study explores Walmart’s low-cost provider strategy and its advantages.
  37. Wal-Mart’s retail strategy plan in Canada.
    This paper analyzes how the Canadian cultural environment determines Walmart’s performance.
  38. The Wal-Mart supermarket’s mission and vision.
    This study explores how Walmart’s business vision helps build a sustainable business.
  39. Walmart company’s marketing analytics.
    This paper analyzes marketing strategies used by Wal-Mart and determines the level to which it applies marketing analytics.
  40. Walmart and Apple companies: non-financial rewards.
    This study explores how Walmart and Apple use programs to recognize the achievements of their employees.
  41. Walmart company’s strategic goals.
    This report focuses on strategic goals set by Walmart and the ways the company implements the strategy for achieving these goals.
  42. Walmart company change management.
    This paper evaluates and identifies the issues that Walmart’s change management should address.
  43. Walmart’s ethical challenges and discrimination.
    This essay analyses Walmart’s strategy for dealing with criticism from the public, employees, and competitors.
  44. Walmart company’s marketing plan and strategy.
    This case study suggests how Walmart can improve its online marketing strategy.
  45. Marketing strategy used during COVID-19.
    This case study indicates the advantages and disadvantages of Walmart’s marketing strategy during the pandemic.

πŸ”—References

  1. Product Supply Chain Sustainability
  2. Amazon vs. Walmart: The Battle Of Retail Kings Gets Hot | Investors Business Daily
  3. Walmart Inc. and Brazil-Based Subsidiary Agree to Pay $137 Million to Resolve Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Case | OPA | Department of Justice
  4. Microsoft And Walmart Are Among The New Members Of Crisis Management Hall Of Fame
  5. Walmart lawsuit (re gender discrimination in USA) – Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
Was It Helpful?
Thank you for feedback πŸ‘‹
Related Articles

Ford Pinto Case Study & Other Analysis Ideas

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Ford Motor Company changed the way our world functions. Ford made automobiles an essential part of people’s everyday life and left its mark on the auto industry. Business students can learn a lot from doing Ford case studies and diving into the...
243
3

371 Fun Argumentative Essay Topics for 2024

Writing an argumentative essay is not the funniest thing to do. Even so, there are ways to ease this process and make it less strained – choose a catchy topic! Dive into the article and find some funny argumentative essay topics for your assignment. Our team worked very hard to...
1,214,643
466