Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • March 2007 (Revised June 2007)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Wal-Mart, 2007

By: David B. Yoffie and Michael Slind
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:12
ShareBar

Abstract

In 2007, Wal-Mart faced challenges to its historically high growth rate. Lagging same-store sales and setbacks overseas led the company to consider strategic shifts. Wal-Mart was the world's largest retailer, but competition had become particularly acute as the company expanded from rural markets, which it had long dominated, into urban and suburban areas. Covers developments in Wal-Mart's merchandising strategy and its approach to store formats; its sometimes controversial human resources practices; its efforts to improve its image through a public relations campaign; its aggressive, though occasionally problematic, move into international markets; and its leading competitors, especially Target. Exhibits provide data (current as of February 2007) on Wal-Mart's financial performance, its stock-price performance, its international operations, and its store formats, as well as on Target's financial performance.

Keywords

Competition; Management Practices and Processes; Rural Scope; Human Resources; Problems and Challenges; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Globalized Firms and Management; Marketing Strategy; Growth Management; Urban Scope; Retail Industry; United States

Citation

Yoffie, David B., and Michael Slind. "Wal-Mart, 2007." Harvard Business School Case 707-517, March 2007. (Revised June 2007.)
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

David B. Yoffie

Strategy
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • March 2022 (Revised May 2022)
    • Faculty Research

    Doubling Down: Elon Musk's Big Bets in 2022

    By: David Yoffie and Daniel Fisher
    • January 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Apple Inc. in 2020 – Select Market Data

    By: David B. Yoffie
    • January 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Mobileye 2021: Robotaxi and/or Consumer AV?

    By: David B. Yoffie
More from the Authors
  • Doubling Down: Elon Musk's Big Bets in 2022 By: David Yoffie and Daniel Fisher
  • Apple Inc. in 2020 – Select Market Data By: David B. Yoffie
  • Mobileye 2021: Robotaxi and/or Consumer AV? By: David B. Yoffie
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College