Wal-Mart's Business Culture
No matter what the current management and leadership of Wal-Mart (WMT) say, I think they're missing it when they try to become all things to all people in the newer markets they're entering.
While they deny it, they're trying to be more upscale when they open up in the urban markets of the country. While I understand regional differences and products offered based upon climate and needs specific to a region, I don't see how the company can pretty much abandon its core purpose just because it's 
moving into more populated areas.
Walton said more than once that Wal-Mart thrives on the traditions of small-town America. To abandon that I think will come back to haunt Wal-Mart in years ahead, and may even open up doors for competitors that keep more in line with the original Wal-Mart purpose.
Part of the problem to me is that Wal-Mart is just listening to the noise-makers out there and not necessarily their core customer. How many people in today's urban areas in America have moved there from the country and small towns? I know it's a huge number. They would remain faithful to what Wal-Mart represents and focuses on.
To make it a tiered company based upon location is dumb at the least, and potentially harmful to the company. Again, we're not talking about changes based upon climate or way of life here, we're talking about literally changing the whole store's purpose for existence as they enter into new markets.
People would love to interact with what Wal-Mart represents as they get used to their differences. Why build the company to be like the existing competition in the big cities? What purpose does that serve?
Anyway, they can't have one company culture in the middle of America and another on the coasts and in some other big cities. It could end up backfiring as they try to go too trendy and no longer represent the life the company was based upon. They need to be careful how far they want to take this. I don't believe Walton would have ever done this.
Other Walton Sources:
The Most Underrated CEO Ever The legendary Sam Walton
Sam Walton: The Power of Persistence
Sam Walton Business Quotes for Ya
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