Target Corporation strikes at the heart of Wal-Mart Inc.

In March 2009, Target Corporation, another top American retail chain, and one of the major rivals of Wal-Mart, opened their new retail store in Arkansas which came as a major surprise to many people. Arkansas is considered to be the “heart land” of Wal-Mart Inc., the retail giant. The new Target retail store is seven minutes away from the first Wal-Mart Store built in 1962 and twenty minutes drive (without traffic) from the headquarters of Wal-Mart Inc. in Bentonville. The first question that came to many people’s mind was “Will Target be able to attract people in its store?” Well, after three months of operation, the answer is a big YES. The store is not only attracting ordinary shoppers but also Wal-Mart executives as well.

The new Target stroing is going strong on grocery sales compared to Wal-Mart which offers fresh foods. The grocery section of Target stretches over an area of 136,666 square feet and sales only “frozen, canned and packaged foods.” Still, shoppers like the store because it comes as a suitable alternative to them. Even Wal-Mart executives frequently visit the store.

At the end of the day, Target store manager Chuck Simmons admits of a mental pressure as they are operating on Wal-Mart’s turf and comparatively Wal-Mart store gets more shopper than their’s. The company posted a slump of 6.1% in its May sales and it predicts a “flat sale upto 3%” in its second quarter. At the end of the day, it is all a healthy competition and that is what we would like to see more.

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CNN Money.com

Stock holders propose. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. disposes

On June 4, 2009, famous American retail chain, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., announced to create more than 22,000 in the current fiscal year through opening 1,300 new stores all over the U.S. The job positions include: Positions will include store management, pharmacists, human resources managers, customer service associates, cashiers and sales associates.

Despite economic recession, Wal-Mart stores did pretty well. In May 2009, the company announced an earning of $3 billion in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. Shares of the retail chain gained a dividend of 77 cents per share which is a penny more compared to its per-share-dividend of 2008. The overall revenue of the company decreased to $93.5 billion from 94.9 billion.

On June 5 2009, Wal-Mart is going to hold its annual stockholders meeting in Bud Walton Arena at the University of Arkansas. In the meeting, Wal-Mart administration is going to discuss six proposals submitted by its share holders. The proposals focus on providing equal opportunity to both men and women, performance based payment system, right to an advisory vote on executive compensation, preparing a semi-annual report on the company’s political contribution, ability to call special meetings and incentive payment in the form of stock options. Interestingly, Wal-Mart administration opposed the proposals. In the meeting, the share holders are also going to elect their new directors.

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Phoenix Business Journal