Walmart 2001 Annual Report Download - page 12

10
2001, Wal-Mart is now Canada’s
largest retailer. Canadian Wal-Mart
Stores have also become leaders
in terms of generating new retailing
concepts and merchandising
techniques, which have been
adopted both in the U.S. and abroad.
CHINA
CHINA
Wal-Mart began operations in the
world’s most populous nation in 1996,
opening a Wal-Mart Supercenter and
a SAM’S CLUB. China is an ideal
example of how Wal-Mart
synthesizes practices to adapt to the
communities it serves. Wal-Mart
modified its shopping bags to fit the
needs of Chinese Customers who
usually shop daily for products and
often arrive on a motorcycle or
bicycle. During fiscal 2001, Wal-Mart
opened a new underground store in
Dalian beneath a new soccer
stadium. The subterranean format
was chosen to accommodate local
needs and to address citizens’
aesthetic concerns.
SOUTH KOREA
SOUTH KOREA
With the world’s 11th largest
economy and a population of
47 million, South Korea holds a
wealth of opportunity to introduce
Customers to the Wal-Mart retailing
practices of Every Day Low Prices,
great value and outstanding
customer service. Wal-Mart entered
this new market with a Supercenter
in Taegu and now has six units.
The Taegu Supercenter features
three floors of merchandise – two
below ground and one above – and
six floors of parking above the store.
The Company plans to increase
Wal-Mart’s presence in the country
during the current fiscal year.
In July 2000, ASDA opened
the first ASDA/Wal-Mart
Supercentre in Patchway,
Bristol, which instantly
changed the face of U.K.
retailing. With the addition
of Supercentres in Havant
in late October and Minworth
in November, the format
has become an exciting
growth vehicle for our
U.K. operations.
Traditionally, ASDA has been
a food-oriented retailer,
choosing to devote
approximately 80 to 85
percent of available retail
square footage to food
merchandising. Currently,
each ASDA/Wal-Mart
Supercentre dedicates
approximately 60 percent of
its space for grocery items
compared to the typical
Supercenter in the United
States which only has 30
percent allotted for groceries.
Supercentres offer Britons
over 40,000 products ranging
from local Avon and Somerset
cheeses and breads to
sporting goods and optical
services. Among other things,
each store features fresh
produce, a deli with more
than 200 products including
specialty meats, and ready-to-
eat meals. The Supercentres
also include an electronics
department and a photo
center. Among many other
offerings found at ASDA/
Wal-Mart Supercentres are a
large number of global brands
and products.
According to Wal-Mart
International President & CEO,
John B. Menzer, “ASDA has
proven to be a good fit for
Wal-Mart. The cultures of both
companies mesh well and the
Supercentres have been
embraced by Customers who
want the widest range of
products at the best value
with the friendliest service.”
Wal-Mart is committed to
continued growth in the
U.K. The Company plans
to open three Supercentres
in fiscal 2002.
“This is an exciting time for
ASDA in the United Kingdom
and we are particularly
excited about the strong
consumer acceptance of
our new ASDA/Wal-Mart
Supercentres,” Menzer said.
FROM SUPERCENTER
TO SUPERCENTRE