Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) is in need of an image makeover in 2007 more than any other company -- in any industry -- in recent memory. Although the retailer has made strides in promoting "green" ecologically sound strategies with its stores and with some of the products it carries, the critics of the world's largest retailer have had much more success beating the company down than the company has had promoting what is good for customers along with rebuilding an image since publicly stating the "happy face" logo that went through the store cutting prices would go away. What is Wal-Mart's image these days? Hard to state, as I think it's in limbo waiting for the right strategy to take hold.

Wal-Mart's Edelman-staffed "Action Alley" scrutinizes Wal-Mart's "reputation management" to try and consistently combat the retailer's foes these days. Watchdog groups, consumer advocates, importing experts, economic pundits and even environmental outfits are always on the prowl to ensure the world knows the "other side" of Wal-Mart that results in the "Always Low Prices" its stores have. Those prices, according to many, come at a much larger global cost when all details are looked at as a whole.