By George Anderson
Wal-Mart didn't get to be the world's largest retailer by resting on its laurels and the company's chief executive, Lee Scott, told shareholders at the company's annual meeting last week that there is plenty of room for improvement, "especially in the Wal-Mart stores in the U.S."
Mr. Scott and other company executives laid out three goals the company has set for itself for the next year. According to a report from Reuters, these include: "Making the company a better place to work, improving the shopping experience, particularly for women, and being more aggressive in buying merchandise."
Mike Duke, executive vice president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Division, said, "Sometimes our checkout lines are too long and we're not staffed properly. We did a great job of focusing on the opening price point customer. We may not have focused enough on the customer who is willing to pay for a little better quality and style."
Mr. Scott said that focusing on the customer who is willing to spend more is a top priority for Wal-Mart. "We need to widen our appeal to a broader range of customers."
Moderator's Comment: What importance would you put on each of the three goals - making the company a better place to work, improving the shopping experience, and being more aggressive in buying merchandise - laid out by Wal-Mart to help the company achieve continued growth?
It's not surprising considering the various challenges Wal-Mart has faced on the legal and public relations front that it would address its working conditions. We just found it interesting, although not directly connected, that a report by USA Today said more workers are now quitting jobs to find other work than those who are being fired or laid off. - George Anderson - Moderator