Wal-Mart is a national discount retailer offering a wide variety of general merchandise to customers. Wal-Mart stores offer pleasant and convenient shopping in 36 departments including family apparel, health and beauty aids, household needs, electronics, toys, fabrics and crafts, lawn and garden, jewelry and shoes. In addition, some Wal-Mart stores offer a Pharmacy Department, Tire & Lube Express, garden center, snack bar or restaurant, Vision Center, and One-Hour Photo Processing for convenience (http://www.walmart.com).
             Wal-Mart stores operate on an "Every Day Low Price" philosophy and are able to maintain their low price structure through conscientious expense control. While other major competitors typically run 50 to 100 advertised circulars per year, Wal-Mart produces only 12-13 major circulars per year (http://www.walmart.com). The cost savings associated with fewer circulars are passed on to the customer through lower shelf prices every day.
             Wal-Mart associates strive to provide exceptional customer service, a characteristic that is unique to the chain. Everything possible is done to make shopping at Wal-Mart a friendly experience (2000 Annual Report).
             When Sam Walton opened his first Wal-Mart store in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, it began what is now an amazing American success story (http://www.walmart.com). Wal-Mart is a place where prices are low and value and customer service is high every day. Customers do not have to wait for a sale to realize savings because Wal-Mart carefully controls expenses to maintain their low pricing structure. Wal-Mart has stores in all 50 states, seven foreign countries and one U.S. territory (http://walmart.com).
             A key to Wal-Mart's popularity with consumers is its hometown identity. Shoppers are personally welcomed at the entrance by "People Greeters." Each store honors a graduating high school senior with a college scholarship. Bake sales to benefit a local charity are al...