Wal-Mart has learned the hard way that a first-mover advantage can be important in international retailing.

WSJ: Wal-Mart Bids $4.6 Billion for South Africa's Massmart

Metro, Europe's largest retailer, said earlier this month that it wants to shed as many as six subsidiaries within three years to concentrate on international expansion and its established retailing operations, such as cash-and-carry and hypermarkets.

ECONOMIST: Restructuring corporate Germany | The

Doug McMillon, the chief executive of Walmart's international division, is tireless in arguing the case for opening Indian retailing to foreign supermarket firms.

ECONOMIST: Retailing in India

Chris Alden, of the South African Institute of International Affairs, says the Chinese are beginning to have a big influence in retailing.

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