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PressRelease
For Immediate Release
07 March 2012
New book warns that Walmart could lose its position as world’s
largest retailer
A new book co-authored by Planet Retail’s Natalie Berg warns that Walmart must reconfigure for
future growth if it <strong>is</strong> to retain its position as world’s largest retailer.
Publ<strong>is</strong>hed in the company’s 50 th year, Walmart: Key Insights and Practical Lessons from the World’s
Largest Retailer urges the retailer to increase its focus on multi-channel retailing, international
operations and underpenetrated urban locations.
“Walmart has reached a turning point. Its core business philosophy <strong>is</strong> quickly eroding due to the
growth of online retailing and a broader consumer shift towards smaller stores. Walmart has been
planting big boxes for the past 50 years but, like its global peers Tesco and Carrefour, <strong>is</strong> struggling
to maintain its relevance in today’s digital world,” said Natalie Berg.
According to Planet Retail, competitor Amazon <strong>is</strong> expected to continue to work its way up the global
rankings from its current position as the world’s 25th largest retailer to become the second largest
global retailer behind Walmart by 2016, with sales of around USD170 billion.
“Th<strong>is</strong> book <strong>is</strong> really about growth – how Walmart did it and, more importantly, just how much of it <strong>is</strong>
left,” Berg added.
Walmart includes exclusive interviews with key executives such as Bill Simon, CEO of Walmart US
and Andy Clarke, CEO of Asda. Chapters explore the following topics:
- In the US, the Supercenter format will reach saturation by 2020, forcing Walmart to explore
new avenues for growth. New formats such as Express will be vital when it comes to urban
expansion and fending off the growing threat of dollar stores.
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PlanetRetail
New book warns Walmart could lose position as world’s largest retailer
- Can Walmart’s pricing philosophy EDLP be implemented across all markets? Why has it
worked in markets like Mexico and Japan but not Brazil?
- How can Walmart reposition for growth without veering too far from its core? As witnessed
with initiatives such as SKU rational<strong>is</strong>ation, Walmart <strong>is</strong> most successful when sticking to its
core business model of offering the lowest prices on a wide assortment of brands.
- The retailer now operates more stores internationally than in the US. As a standalone
company, Walmart International <strong>is</strong> the third largest retailer in the world. How will Walmart
adapt its business model as it ventures into new, r<strong>is</strong>kier regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa?
Walmart will be publ<strong>is</strong>hed on 3 April 2012, and <strong>is</strong> currently available to pre-order on Amazon. To
arrange an interview with Natalie Berg or to request a complimentary sample of the book, please
contact Renaye Edwards at renaye.edwards@planetretail.net or on +44 (0)20 7728 4985.
Planet Retail <strong>is</strong> the world’s leading retail analyst firm, providing unrivalled global intelligence,
analys<strong>is</strong>, news and data covering more than 9,000 retail operations across 211 markets.
Natalie Berg <strong>is</strong> Global Research Director at Planet Retail. She <strong>is</strong> a regular retail commentator for UK
and global media and a sought after speaker at industry events such as the NRF Big Show and FMI
Private Brands Summit.
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PlanetRetail
New book warns Walmart could lose position as world’s largest retailer
For more information please contact:
PRESS:
Renaye Edwards, Head of Marketing
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7728 4985; E-mail: renaye.edwards@planetretail.net
About Planet Retail:
Planet Retail <strong>is</strong> the leading provider of intelligence on the global retail and foodservice industries, monitoring
more than 10,000 retail operations as well as market developments in 211 markets. With over 15 years of
industry insight, Planet Retail <strong>is</strong> a brand trusted by more than 3,000 organ<strong>is</strong>ations worldwide, delivering up-tothe-minute
news, analys<strong>is</strong>, market research and digital media via www.planetretail.net. Planet Retail h as offices
in London, Frankfurt, Chicago, Qingdao and Tokyo.
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