Wal-Mart: A retail innovator

Article Excerpt

Wal-Mart opened its first store in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962. It has since grown to become the world’s biggest retailer, with 11,453 locations in the U.S. and 26 other countries. The company was one of the first to use computerized cash registers. That not only sped up checkout lines but gave Wal-Mart valuable data it could use to identify popular products in its various markets. As a result, it was able to keep top-selling items in stock and cut down on clearance sales. At the same time, Wal-Mart’s continued growth let it negotiate better prices from suppliers. The retail business continues to change, particularly as consumers buy more goods online. As well, many younger shoppers in cities prefer local stores instead of driving to suburban malls. In response, Wal-Mart is expanding its Internet businesses, building smaller stores and improving customer service. We feel these moves will further boost the stock, which is up 56% in the past five years. WAL-MART…