2011 Top 100: Retail
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Walmart’s Marketside stores marked the super retailer’s attempt to give U.S. shoppers a quick place to buy prepared food for last-minute meals. However, Walmart recently decided to shut its four Marketside stores, abandoning the concept after three years. It is now banking on another small-store concept, Walmart Express, as a potential growth vehicle in rural and urban locations. Despite store closings, Walmart U.S. delivered three consecutive months of positive same store sales. That means big plans for growth through 2013 even though operating expenditures will decrease significantly. New stores will add 45 to 49 million square feet worldwide in the next fiscal year.
Walmart’s Marketside stores marked the super retailer’s attempt to give U.S. shoppers a quick place to buy prepared food for last-minute meals. However, Walmart recently decided to shut its four Marketside stores, abandoning the concept after three years. It is now banking on another small-store concept, Walmart Express, as a potential growth vehicle in rural and urban locations. Despite store closings, Walmart U.S. delivered three consecutive months of positive same store sales. That means big plans for growth through 2013 even though operating expenditures will decrease significantly. New stores will add 45 to 49 million square feet worldwide in the next fiscal year.