S. alone order from 35 of its 4,000 stores in the U.S. compared to the previously reported shipping from 25. Goals have been set at 50 stores by the end of the year. It is reported that traffic to Wal-Mart's U.S. e-commerce site "exceeds 45 monthly visitors and growth and conversion are accelerating." (Davis, 2013, p.1) Davis also reports that Wal-Mart announced yesterday it had acquired two online technology startups and planned to hire 150 more staffers for its Walmart.com operations in Silicon Valley, which already employ 1,500." (Davis, 2013, p.1) (2) It is reported that in the U.K. The "Asda supermarket chain that Wal-Mart owns is the country's second-largest online grocer, Wal-Mart says. Asda completed the rollout of Wi-Fi to its stores in the first quarter, making it easier for customers and employees to connect to the Internet via mobile devices. Asda also expanded its Click and Collect service that lets customers pick up web orders in stores to 100 stores, and opened a third e-commerce fulfillment center in Nottingham." (Davis, 2013, p.1)

(3) It is reported that in Brazil, sales online "…grew more than 40% in the first quarter and Walmart.com.br is now the most heavily visited e-commerce site, Wal-Mart claims." (Davis, 2013, p.1)

(4) Reports state that in China, Yihaodian, an online retailer that Wal-Mart bought a controlling interest in last year, now offers same-day delivery in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Yihaodian is No. 42 in the Internet Retailer Asia 500. (Davis, 2013, p.1)

Summary

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is acknowledging that it has some serious catching up to do in online sales if it is to compete with its present competitors because these stores are already established in terms of their online presence and their sales gained in online shopping transactions. Because of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. low prices, there is little threat for new entrants that would pose a serious level of competition for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. And there is little threat of substitution. Wal-Mart's sales were quite strong online for the first quarter...

For the remaining quarters of 2013.
Recommendations

The information reviewed in this study has highlighted the need for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. To focus on training and education of employees to accommodate the growth in online sales and the necessity to use technology applications for these transactions. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. will need to focus its HRM strategy on ensuring that employees are trained and educated to interact via website support chat and other technological requirements in the online shopping environment. Wal-Mart will need to continue to devote its focus on increasing online sales and in competing with other online retailers in today's global marketplace. As well, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. will do well to examine other apparel manufacturers and consider its own low-cost line of apparel for the family budget in today's tough economy when people have very little to spend on apparel.

Conclusion

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is strong and is experiencing growth and expansion on a global basis however, the company must necessarily concentrate on how it can enhance the online shopping experience for its customers and must train employees to ensure that the online shopping experience is a pleasant one and one that is not too complicated or time-consuming.

References

Akkad, S., Chelune, T., and Coppola, C. (2011) Wal-Mart's Strategic BMGT495-7380. University of Maryland; University College. 22 Nov. 2011.

Wal-Mart (2011). Corporate Facts Sheet. Retrieved from http://walmartstores.com/pressroom/factsheets/

Wal-Mart Corporate (2011). About us. Retrieved from https://walmartstores.com/AboutUs/

Walmartstores.com (2008). 2008 Annual Report. Retrieved from http://walmartstores.com/sites/annualreport/2008/docs/wal_mart_annual_report_2008.pdf

Yang, F. (2009) Strategic Analysis of Wal-Mart. 1 May 2009. Retrieved from: http://aladinrc.wrlc.org/bitstream/handle/1961/9446/Yang,%20Fan%20%202009S.pdf?sequence=1