Walmart faces competition from a range of competitors in the retail industry. General merchandise retailers like Target and Costco, grocery retailers like Kroger and Albertsons, online giants like Amazon and eBay, and specialty retailers such as Best Buy and Bed Bath & Beyond are among its key competitors. Additionally, it faces competition from home improvement retailers, fashion retailers, online marketplaces, wholesale clubs, pharmacy chains, and international retailers.
A multinational e-commerce and technology company offering a wide range of products, services, and online marketplace operations. Amazon competes with Walmart in various retail and e-commerce segments.
Amazon operates a vast online marketplace, offering products, streaming services, cloud computing, and more. It competes with Walmart in e-commerce and cloud computing, among other areas.
Both compete in e-commerce, online retail, and cloud computing, but Amazon has a broader range of services and a global reach.
Amazon’s extensive product selection, Prime membership, and cloud services.
Target
A large American retail corporation offering a wide range of products, including clothing, electronics, groceries, and home goods. Target competes with Walmart in the general merchandise and retail market.
Target operates retail stores and an online platform, selling a variety of products, often emphasizing stylish and affordable merchandise.
Both compete in the general merchandise and retail market, with a focus on offering a diverse selection of products to consumers.
Target’s reputation for stylish and affordable merchandise.
Costco Wholesale
A membership-based American retail corporation known for selling bulk quantities of products at low prices. Costco competes with Walmart in the wholesale and warehouse club market.
Costco offers a membership-based shopping experience with bulk quantities of products at competitive prices, appealing to businesses and consumers.
Both compete in the wholesale and warehouse club market, targeting customers seeking savings on bulk purchases.
Costco’s membership model and focus on bulk quantities.
Kroger
An American retail company operating a chain of supermarkets, convenience stores, and other grocery-related businesses. Kroger competes with Walmart in the grocery and supermarket sector.
Kroger operates supermarkets and offers groceries, organic foods, and convenience store products, focusing on providing a wide variety of food options.
Both compete in the grocery and supermarket sector, providing a range of food products, but Kroger specializes in groceries.
Kroger’s focus on a wide variety of food options and convenience.
Home Depot
An American home improvement retail company offering a range of products for home renovation, construction, and maintenance. Home Depot competes with Walmart in the home improvement and DIY market.
Home Depot provides products and services for home improvement, including tools, materials, and appliances, targeting DIY enthusiasts and contractors.
Both compete in the home improvement and DIY market, offering products and services for home renovation and maintenance.
Home Depot’s specialization in home improvement and contractor services.
Lowe’s
An American home improvement and appliance retail company similar to Home Depot, offering products for home renovation and repair. Lowe’s competes with Walmart in the home improvement and DIY market.
Lowe’s operates retail stores and offers home improvement products, appliances, and services, catering to homeowners and contractors.
Both compete in the home improvement and DIY market, providing products and services for home renovation and repair.
Lowe’s focus on home improvement and appliance sales.
Dollar General
An American chain of variety stores offering a range of low-priced products, including household essentials, groceries, and personal care items. Dollar General competes with Walmart in the discount retail market.
Dollar General operates stores providing a wide range of low-priced products, often located in smaller communities and rural areas.
Both compete in the discount retail market, offering budget-friendly products, but Dollar General has a focus on smaller communities.
Dollar General’s presence in smaller communities and rural areas.
Walgreens
An American pharmacy retail chain offering prescription medications, health and wellness products, cosmetics, and convenience items. Walgreens competes with Walmart in the pharmacy and retail market.
Walgreens operates pharmacies and retail stores, providing healthcare products, prescription medications, and convenience items.
Both compete in the pharmacy and retail market, offering healthcare products and prescription services, but Walgreens specializes in pharmacy and convenience items.
Walgreens’ focus on pharmacy services and healthcare products.
CVS Health
An American pharmacy retail corporation that operates pharmacies, retail stores, and healthcare clinics. CVS Health competes with Walmart in the pharmacy, healthcare, and retail market.
CVS Health provides prescription medications, healthcare services, retail products, and operates MinuteClinic healthcare clinics.
Both compete in the pharmacy and healthcare market, offering prescription services and healthcare products, with CVS Health having a focus on healthcare services.
CVS Health’s extensive healthcare services, including MinuteClinics.
Best Buy
An American multinational consumer electronics retailer selling a variety of technology and entertainment products. Best Buy competes with Walmart in the consumer electronics and technology market.
Best Buy offers electronics, appliances, and tech-related products, with a focus on consumer electronics and home technology solutions.
Both compete in the consumer electronics and technology market, providing a range of technology and entertainment products.
Best Buy’s specialization in consumer electronics and technology solutions.
General Merchandise Retailers:
Target: A major retail chain offering various products and services.
Costco: A membership-based warehouse retailer selling a range of items.
Kmart: A retail chain providing a diverse selection of products.
Grocery Retailers:
Kroger: A supermarket chain offering groceries and other household items.
Albertsons: A retail company operating grocery stores and pharmacies.
Publix: A supermarket chain providing a range of grocery products.
Online Retailers:
Amazon: A multinational technology company and online marketplace.
eBay: An online auction and shopping website.
Alibaba: A Chinese multinational conglomerate operating various online platforms.
Home Improvement Retailers:
The Home Depot: A home improvement retailer offering construction and DIY products.
Lowe’s: A retail company selling home improvement and appliance products.
Menards: A chain of home improvement stores operating in the Midwest.
Fashion Retailers:
Target: A major retail chain offering a diverse range of fashion products.
Kohl’s: A department store chain with a focus on apparel and accessories.
TJ Maxx: An off-price retailer offering discounted fashion and home goods.
Specialty Retailers:
Best Buy: A retailer specializing in consumer electronics and appliances.
Bed Bath & Beyond: A chain of retail stores offering home goods and decor.
Barnes & Noble: A bookseller operating both physical stores and an online platform.
Online Marketplaces:
Etsy: An e-commerce website focused on handmade and vintage items.
Bonanza: An online marketplace for unique and collectible items.
Wholesale Clubs:
Sam’s Club: A membership-only retail warehouse club.
BJ’s Wholesale Club: A membership-based warehouse club chain.
Costco: A membership-based warehouse retailer selling a range of items.
Pharmacy Chains:
CVS Health: A retail pharmacy and healthcare company.
Walgreens Boots Alliance: A pharmacy chain with a global presence.
Rite Aid: A chain of pharmacies and health and wellness stores.
International Retailers:
Carrefour: A multinational retail corporation operating in various countries.
Tesco: A multinational grocery and general merchandise retailer.
Aldi: A global discount supermarket chain.
Key Highlights:
General Merchandise Retailers Competition:Walmart competes with general merchandise retailers like Target, Costco, and Kmart, which offer a wide range of products and services.
Grocery Retailers Rivals: Competitors in the grocery retail sector include Kroger, Albertsons, and Publix, providing groceries and household items.
Online Retailers Challengers: Online giants like Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba are competitors in the online retail space.
Home Improvement, Fashion, and Specialty Retailers Alternatives:Walmart faces competition from home improvement retailers (The Home Depot, Lowe’s), fashion retailers (Kohl’s, TJ Maxx), and specialty retailers (Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond).
Online Marketplaces and Wholesale Clubs Competition:Walmart’s competitors also include online marketplaces (Etsy, eBid, Bonanza) and wholesale clubs (Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Costco).
Pharmacy Chains and International Retailers Rivals: CVS Health, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Rite Aid, Carrefour, Tesco, and Aldi are also competitors in the pharmacy, healthcare, and international retail segments.
As of 2022, 2,751,779,629 Shares were outstanding for Walmart. The company’s major shareholder is the Walton family, whose mission is to “help people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores and through eCommerce.” While its vision is to “make every day easier for busy families.” Walmart defines “busy families” as the bull’s eye of its business strategy. From humble beginnings just over 50 years ago, Walmart’s business model has become the world’s largest retail company.
With over $611 billion in net sales in 2023, Walmart operates a differentiated business model with three primary units: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, Sam’s Club (a membership-only warehouse club), and Walmart+. This subscription service includes free shipping, unlimited delivery from its stores, and discounts launched in 2021. The company reported a net income of $11.68 billion in 2023.
Walmart generated $611.29 billion in revenue in 2023 and $11.68 billion in profits, compared to $572 billion in revenue in 2022 and over $13.6 billion in net profits in the same year. Compared to over $559 billion in revenue in 2021 and over $13.5 billion in net profits.
In 2023, Walmart reported 240 million customers compared to 230 million global customers in 2022, 240 million customers in 2021, and 265 million customers in 2019.
Walmart had 2.1 million associates globally in 2023, compared to 2.3 million associates globally in 2022, the same number in 2021. In 2020, Walmart had 2.2 million associates globally.
Walmart’smission can be summarized as “helping people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores and through eCommerce.” While its vision is to “make every day easier for busy families.” Walmart defines “busy families” as the bull’s eye of its business strategy.
Walmart has a hybrid hierarchical-functional organizational structure, otherwise referred to as a matrix structure that combines multiple approaches. On the one hand, Walmart follows a hierarchical structure, where the current CEO Doug McMillon is the only employee without a direct superior, and directives are sent from top-level management. On the other hand, the function-based structure of Walmart is used to categorize employees according to their particular skills and experience.
From humble beginnings just over 50 years ago, Walmart has become the world’s largest retail company. A single small discount store in Arkansas has now expanded to over 11,000 stores in 28 countries. Some reports suggest that the company makes $1.8 million of profit every hour.
Gennaro is the creator of FourWeekMBA, which reached about four million business people, comprising C-level executives, investors, analysts, product managers, and aspiring digital entrepreneurs in 2022 alone | He is also Director of Sales for a high-tech scaleup in the AI Industry | In 2012, Gennaro earned an International MBA with emphasis on Corporate Finance and Business Strategy.
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