BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Wal-Mart Weekly: Rating Wal-Mart's reputation]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/28/the-wal-mart-weekly-rating-wal-marts-reputation/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/28/the-wal-mart-weekly-rating-wal-marts-reputation/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/28/the-wal-mart-weekly-rating-wal-marts-reputation/#commentsFiled under: ,

Welcome to the 66th installment of The Wal-Mart Weekly, a column dedicated to bringing you insight, wit, facts, results, opinions, and just a bit of everything else when it comes to a very hot topic these days: Wal-Mart.

This week, I'll be examining Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the reputation the world's largest retailer has. Wal-Mart's roots from the backyard of a small Arkansas town into the world's largest company in less then five decades is nothing short of amazing -- like it or not.

But, with such rapid growth, how has the company's reputation fared during this journey? Harris Interactive's latest "Reputations of the Most Visible Companies" (PDF download) sheds a little light on this area. Although Wal-Mart is currently experiencing a decent period of sales and profit (due to customers flocking to low prices), the company still has a tarnished image in much of the world. Is it deserved? You be that judge.

Continue reading The Wal-Mart Weekly: Rating Wal-Mart's reputation

The Wal-Mart Weekly: Rating Wal-Mart's reputation originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredWal-Martwal-mart storeswal-mart stores. inc.wal-mart weeklyWMTSat, 28 Jun 2008 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[The Wal-Mart Weekly: Curbing growth can be a sound strategy]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/26/the-wal-mart-weekly-curbing-growth-can-be-a-sound-strategy/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/26/the-wal-mart-weekly-curbing-growth-can-be-a-sound-strategy/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/26/the-wal-mart-weekly-curbing-growth-can-be-a-sound-strategy/#commentsFiled under: ,

Welcome to the 58th installment of The Wal-Mart Weekly, a column dedicated to bringing you insight, wit, facts, results, opinions, and just a bit of everything else when it comes to a very hot topic these days: Wal-Mart.

This week's Wal-Mart Weekly looks at the moves the world's largest retailer is making to actually slow its growth. When one thinks of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) -- or any other retailer -- the term growth always seems to come to mind. That's what Wall Street's short-sighted investors fret about every day, although by its nature this kind of focus keeps most public companies trying to plan for the future while appeasing the market makers.

How about actually trying to slow down growth? There is a lot to be said for "disciplined growth" and growing at a rate that fits the general retail landscape and economy of the countries in which you're operating. Would -- gasp -- Wal-Mart ever want to temper its growth and actually slow things down a bit? Perhaps.

Continue reading The Wal-Mart Weekly: Curbing growth can be a sound strategy

The Wal-Mart Weekly: Curbing growth can be a sound strategy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>.incinc.Wal-Martwal-mart storeswal-mart stores. inc.wal-mart weeklyWal-martStoresWal-martStores.Inc.Wal-martWeeklyWMTSat, 26 Apr 2008 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Wal-Mart and Target show start of holiday price war]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2006/11/14/wal-mart-and-target-show-start-of-holiday-price-war/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2006/11/14/wal-mart-and-target-show-start-of-holiday-price-war/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2006/11/14/wal-mart-and-target-show-start-of-holiday-price-war/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) and Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) have started throwing punches leading up to the "official" holiday shopping season that starts on Black Friday -- the day after Thanksgiving. In quarterly results conference calls from both retailers that happened this morning, both retail behemoths came out punching and seemed smug that the public will choose them over the competition this holiday shopping season. Want to see all the nitty-gritty details? Amey Stone and myself liveblogged both results conferences this morning -- check out the Wal-Mart liveblog here and the Target liveblog here.

Both companies mentioned that toys, games and electronics were the hot holiday categories this year (as well as the most recent quarter for both), and both mentioned that they were the country's two largest discount retailers. Wal-Mart is going to use its strengths of "everyday low prices" and vowed to have "its most aggressive pricing strategy ever" to fuel year-end holiday shopping business. However, in spite of trying to move all that merchandise at rock-bottom prices, Wal-Mart warned the move could also make it miss Wall Street's expectations for fourth-quarter earnings. How's this Wal-Mart -- do you really need to lower prices that much? What's the point in holiday retail marketshare if you're going to make less profit?

I've never quite understood why some companies -- even Wal-Mart -- think that marketshare is more important that making money. Marketshare does not pay the bills, employees, satisfy shareholders (except short-sighted shareholders) or do anything else except give temporary bragging rights. I say, who cares?

Target Corp. reported a 16 percent gain in third-quarter profit, beating analyst expectations as its sales rose 11 percent. Target President Gregg Steinhafel told investors during the quarterly results conference call this morning that the retailer would compete on long-running discounts and would match Wal-Mart move-for-move -- noting that it has often matched Wal-Mart pricing before Wal-Mart advertises them in its circulars.

The game is on...

Wal-Mart and Target show start of holiday price war originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Nov 2006 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Tareget Black FridayTaregetBlackFridayTarget Corp.Target StoresTargetCorp.TargetStoresTGTWal-MartWal-Mart Black FridayWal-Mart Stores. Inc.Wal-martBlackFridayWal-martStores.Inc.WMTTue, 14 Nov 2006 16:00:00 EST