The argument
Wal-mart has been the leading retail store with the highest number of fashion supply globally (Plunkett 22-23). By the year 2005, Wal-mart had attained a perfect competitive advantage with a low distribution cost compared to her competitors (Rudrabasavaraj 32-34); Ivey Management services 2). By 2006, Wal-mart lost her competitive advantage and other retail stores overtook it due to poor supply chain management practices (Fishman 55-57). Competitors introduced new and technically advanced fashion retailing methods that ensured effective distribution services (Birtwistle and Christopher 41; Kris 12; Lomax). Organizations need to understand all essentials of a perfect supply chain management in order to provide best distribution services to their consumers (Hugos 111-112). The following research proposal aims at determining how Wal-mart Stores Inc, should utilize its supply chain management in achieving a perfect competitive advantage.
The significance
As a fashion retail management student, the following proposal will be of great significance in the following ways. Firstly, researching on a big company like Wal-mart will equip me with the necessary knowledge on how to effective perform supply chain operations. Secondly, the study will be used by Wal-mart management in improving their operations offering me with a chance to be part of their team after my studies. Thirdly, the study is significance to me because it improves my skills, knowledge and understanding of business operations from theory to practice.
Importance to the society
The society will be the largest beneficially from the following research. Most people shop at Wal-mart stores. By increasing their distribution of goods and services, customers will be more than satisfied with their work. In addition, the study will propose new methods that need to be introduced and require some experienced people. This will benefit the society through job creation, and promotions of Wal-mart employees with the required knowledge. Moreover, the adaptation of the recommended supply chain management operations will make the store an American dream for fashion and design selection (Copeland and Christine 5). Finally, the success of a company is felt by the staff and other stakeholders (Lencioni 3). Wal-mart staff will benefit from working in the world’s leading fashion retail store by enjoying various rewards.
Works cited
Birtwistle, Grete, and Christopher M. Moore. Fashion retailing. Bradford, England: Emerald
Group Pub., 2004. Print.
Copeland, Nick, and Christine Labuski.Walmart and the American Dream. Hoboken: Taylor and
Francis, 2013. Print.
Fishman, Charles. The Wal-Mart effect: how the world's most powerful company really works—
and how it's transforming the American economy. New York: Penguin Press, 2006. Print.
Hugos, Michael H. Essentials of supply chain management. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons,
2003. Print.
Ivey Management services. Supply Chain Management at Wal-mart. The University of Western
Ontario. 2006.
Kris, Hudson, “Wal-Mart’s Need for Speed,” The Wall Street Journal. 2005.
Lencioni, Patrick. The advantage: why organizational health trumps everything else in business.
San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2012. Print.
Lomax, Alyce. How Wal-Mart’s Losing Competitive Advantage. 2011. Retrieved from:
http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2011/03/31/how-wal-marts-losing-competitive-advantage.aspx
Plunkett, Jack W.. Plunkett's Retail Industry Almanac 2012 Retail Industry Market Research,
Statistics, Trends & Leading Companies.. Houston: Plunkett Research, Ltd., 2011. Print.
Rudrabasavaraj, M. N.. Dynamic Global Retailing Management. New Delhi: Himalaya Pub.
House, 2010.
