WalMart and Target Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

WalMart and Target - Essay Example So when WalMart enters local market it meets little competition. The opposite of cheap WalMart is an "elite" or high rate Target chain. Further I will compare these two retail companies in terms of general companies' achievements, level of services and the last point - prices. Wal-Mart entered retail market in 1962 in Rogers, Ark. Through the next eight years company incorporated and went on public on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1971 Wal-Mart set sales record for retail sales - 1 billion in sales per year. Up to 1991 Wal-Mart continued expansion on the American retail market: Sam's Club philosophy was developed and first mega stores were opened. And in 1991 Wal-Mart shifted to the international retail market, starting with retail center in Mexico City. According to the official press release of Wal-Mart, it is today the largest retail sales chain in the whole world with turnover around $285.2 billion in sales. The company employs 1.6 million associates worldwide through more than 3,600 facilities in the United States and more than 1,570 units in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, China, Korea, Germany and the United Kingdom. More than 138 million customers per week visit Wal-Mart stores worldwide. (http://www.walmartfacts.com/newsdesk/wal-mart-fact-sheets.aspx) As well as Wal-Mart, Target appeared on the re... In 1979 Target gained position of the Company's revenue top producer, in 1982 revenue reached - 5 billion USD. In 2000 Dayton Hudson Corporation changed its name to Target Corporation. According to Target Corporation annual report the Company had 45 billion dollars in sales. The company employs 0, 87 million associates in the United States and has 1308 trading facilities. More than 60 million customers visit Target stores weekly. (http://www.targetcorp.com/targetcorp_group/investor-relations/annual_report.jhtml) Level of Services Level of services is defined by three major factors: purchasing conditions, employees, cleanliness. When purchasing clothing and other products of the same group one has to choose style, quality, price and the like, plus the comfort and ease of shopping. On the psychological level people prefer elegance, a feel of free time and space. The service of Target permits this plus it provides the cleanliness around, which ensure satisfaction of a customer. Your comfort zone is satiated. Thus you make better purchasing decisions without that compelling urge to postponing a purchase. WalMart in-store atmosphere creates feeling of rush, it has no space for inner world of a customer. Of course prices in WaMart are lower but a customer has little time for choice as other customers are rushing trough store looking for a bargain. Even brand new WalMarts often looks dingy and dirty. Very few Target stores give off the "dirty" feel a customer has walking around a Walmart. Employees attitude to the customers are in very close dependence to the conditions created by the companies. In our situation Target employees are more friendly and attentive than in WalMart. Prices. A price comparative