Learning a lesson from its experience in Mexico, where it had to add to its Cifra stake by buying shares at ever-higher prices on the open market, Wal-Mart purchased warrants to potentially raise its Seiyu position to 67%.
Likewise, Wal-Mart used its market dominance to attack its ailing rival Kmart with deep price cuts.
The foray into Africa could help Wal-Mart increase its market share in emerging countries.
Today the position is reversed: Wal-Mart's market cap is four times Sears'.
Just ask Newell Rubbermaid, the maker of cleaning products and other consumer staples that hit a slump in the late 1990s, about Wal-Mart's market power.
Just ask Newell Rubbermaid (nyse: NWL - news - people ), the maker of cleaning products and other consumer staples that hit a slump in the late 1990s, about Wal-Mart's market power.
On the issue of price points, White doesn't see stores like Wal-Mart taking too much market share from the traditional office suppliers.
In the U.K. market, Wal-Mart's Asda supermarket chain has been facing increasing competition, as well as the prospect of being prosecuted for its refusal to recognize unions.
Now in a very mature U.S. market, Wal-Mart, while it remains the biggest and the toughest, is surrounded by competitors who can stick up for themselves, none more so than Kroger ( KR).
Learning a lesson from its experience in Mexico, where it had to add to its Cifra stake by buying shares at ever higher prices on the open market, Wal-Mart purchased warrants to potentially raise its Seiyu position to 67%.
Wal-Mart's Neighborhood Market Stores come closest to that format, but with an average floor space of 42, 000 square feet, they will still be much larger than Tesco's Express format in the U.K., which is 14, 000 square feet and expected to be similar to its upcoming U.S. stores.
But the market is set up in such a way that nothing prevents Wal-Mart from selling excess juice back into the market--something experienced traders can do quite profitably.
You pay for this in the market, but Wal- Mart is the Pfizer of retailing with a great three-year outlook.
Using a mechanism known as a power purchase agreement (PPA), such companies as Wal-Mart Stores and Whole Foods Market have contracted with third parties that install, own and maintain solar power systems that typically sit on the roof of a corporate outlet.
As an added blow, Circuit City--and its suppliers--has lost market share to rivals such as Best Buy and Wal-Mart.
The data captures sales from supermarkets, drugstores, mass-market retailers and convenience stores, but exclude sales from Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Wal-Mart announced an improving North American market would allow it to raise its dividend 9%.
FORBES: Employment Picture Improving: Jobless Claims Steady At April 2008 Levels
And like CBD, Wal-Mart has struggled in this volatile market, mounting a failed joint venture with Lojas Americanas and enduring a 35% drop in the Brazilian currency, thereal, in 2002.
But rival Tesco, which has the kind of market clout there that Wal-Mart has across the Atlantic, claims much better profit margins, thanks to its ability to wrangle discounts from suppliers.
In fact, there seem to be so many of these, that it would appear impossible for a company the size of Wal-Mart to gain access to the market without following this practice.
Now Bill Gates has taken Rockefeller's place as the man with the conspicuous market share, and Wal-Mart is the target of legislators who think retailing efficiencies should not be permitted to get out of hand.
Now Bill Gates has taken Rockefeller's place as the man with the conspicuous market share, and Wal-Mart (nyse: WMT - news - people ) is the target of legislators who think retailing efficiencies should not be permitted to get out of hand.
Competing against the domestic giants--Safeway, Albertsons, Kroger and Wal-Mart in some markets--Royal Ahold has amassed a No. 1 market share along America's eastern seaboard.
Wal-Mart sees more opportunity in emerging markets than in Europe, and with its potential stake in Massmart, Wal-Mart can gain a strong foothold in South Africa and the sub-Saharan market.
FORBES: Wal-Mart Goes On Retail Safari In Africa With Massmart
It is a major competitor in the e-commerce industry as well, sharing the market with eBay and discount retailers like Best Buy and Wal-Mart for its electronic products, books and apparel.
But thanks to Vudu, a nonsubscription streaming service owned by Wal-Mart, the retailer has been gaining market share at a rapid clip.
Ten years ago Sears' market capitalization was four times Wal-Mart's.
Some, like Sears , have managed to pleasantly surprise the market, while others, like Wal-Mart Stores , have disappointed.
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