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Company/Organisation Brief Introduction：：
(in 50-200 words) |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. was founded by Sam Walton, a legend of American retail industry, in Arkansas in 1962. After over forty years of growth, it has become the world's largest private employer and retailer. The company employs more than 1.6 million associates worldwide and operates more than 5,000 units in the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, China, Korea, Germany and the United Kingdom. Worldwide, about 140 million customers visit Wal-Mart stores weekly.
In 2004, Wal-Mart accomplished USD285.2 billion sales globally. It was ranked high on both lists of FORTUNE 500 and “Most Admired Companies in America” for many times. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart was named one of the "Most Respected Companies" and the “Best Companies To Work For” in many other countries. In 2004 Wal-Mart topped the China Business Competitiveness Index among commercial and trade companies and was the only retailer in the list. In August the same year Wal-Mart ranked No.8 among the “Most Admired Companies in China” elected by Fortune Chinese edition.
In 1996, Wal-Mart entered the Chinese market. The first Supercenter and SAM'S CLUB were opened in Shenzhen, China. Nowadays, we operate 45 units in 21 cities, including Shenzhen, Kunming, Fuzhou, Dalian, Xiamen, Shantou, Dongguan, Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang, Changsha, Beijing, Nanchang, Ji'nan, Qingdao, Tianjin, Nanjing, Nanning, Wuhan, Guiyang and Taiyuan. Our operation includes 40 Supercenters, 3 SAM’S CLUBS, and 2 Neighborhood Markets. We employ more than 23,000 associates in China. We have invested up to RMB1.6 billion in China and paid more than RMB1.4 billion in taxes. As an outstanding corporate citizen, we actively participate in community service and charity events, and we have donated over RMB19.44 million worth of materials and monetary funds to local charity and welfare organizations in eight years. In June 2004, Wal-Mart China was awarded “Best Community Service of Guangming Charity Award” by Guangming Daily.
Wal-Mart China has been adhering to the Wal-Mart tradition to build the business – one store at a time, one customer at a time, quality merchandise at low prices, and friendly customer service. With store openings, we introduce advanced retail techniques and concepts to arouse competition and improve business operation and customer service of the local markets, which contributes to the prosperity of the local economy.
Wal-Mart firmly believes in local procurement since we recognize that quality products can provide good job opportunities, support local manufacturing industry and boost local economic development. Therefore, we procure over 95% of local products whenever a store is opened. To date, we have cooperated with about 20,000 suppliers in China. We ranked No.1 “Good Credibility and Accurate and Prompt Payment” for several years in a row by China Chain Store & Franchise Association and the Department of Enterprise Consultation Service of International Business Machine China Co. Ltd. (formerly Pricewater House Coopers Co. Ltd.). We always treat our suppliers as partners and grow with them.
In addition, Wal-Mart procures high volume of merchandise from China and exports to the rest of the world through its Global Procurement Center located in Shenzhen. Our direct and indirect procurements have increased every year, with USD10 billion in 2001, USD12 billion in 2002, USD15 billion in 2003 and USD 18 billion in 2004.
Wal-Mart will continue to expand investment and cooperation in China and contribute to the economic development through the following aspects:
Increase procurement and support export of Chinese products to other countries in the world;
Increase investment in China, especially in the west parts of China, to response to the governmental policy of "Developing the West";
Create more employment opportunities and generate more taxes to benefit local economy;
Work closely with consumer goods manufacturers, share our information and resources, and support manufacturing enterprises to improve production, technology and management skills;
Introduce our advanced retailing techniques and experience to promote the Chinese retail industry standard and development. |