SWOTT Table Analysis of at Least Seven of the Forces and Trends

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//Before writing about the SWOTT analysis of the internal, as well as, the external forces & trends, it is essential to have knowledge about the company and its background. One should know about the operations and industry in which, the company is operating, in order to conduct the SWOTT in an effective manner.//

Introduction

Wal-Mart is an America based retail giant, which was established in 1962 by Sam Walton. It was actually incorporated on 31 October 1969 in the name of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. It is the biggest private employer all over the world. It is the top grocery retailer in the U.S. The company has wholly owned operations in different nations like Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina and Canada. The company is categorized into three main segments that are Wal-Mart International, Wal-Mart Stores U.S and Sam's Club. It runs its retail chains in 9 different retail formats like super-centers, general merchandise stores, bodegas (small markets), food and drugs, membership warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, apparel stores, soft discount stores and restaurants. The company conducts its business according to the concept of always selling at lower prices, which is the driving force of its success around the globe. Key competitors of the company are Kmart, Meijer and ShopKo (Wal-Mart).

//Above is the discussion of company background and its operations. Moving to the next direction, explanation about the external and internal forces & trends are to be thrown light upon. //

External and Internal forces

External factors selected for the company are legal & regulatory framework, global forces, economic and technological forces. These are as follow:

Economical factors: The economic conditions of the countries experience major fluctuations due to unpredictable economic environment. This force has a great influence on the business of the company. SWOTT analysis of this force is as follow:

Strength: The firm, if develops forecasting measures for the economic conditions, it would act as a booster to attain rapid growth (Lancaster & Reynolds, 2005).

Weakness: The economic recession act as a weak point for the company.

Opportunity: The Company by developing some forecasting measures can attain advantage of competitiveness by handling the contingent situations effectively in comparison to its competitors.

Threat: The economic changes can pose a major threat to the company by giving competition to the company.

Trends: The changing scenario of economic environment incorporates the global trend, which may also impact the company positively or negatively.

Decisions & Recommendations: The firm's business is directly related to the economic forces. Therefore, it is recommended to the company to apply some forecasting measures and contingency plans to combat the challenges posed by the economic jerks

Legal & regulatory forces: Legal & regulatory forces are very crucial for the business, as in the different nations, the regulations related to the tax are different. SWOTT of this external factor is as follow:

Strength: The legal & regulatory framework would improve the strategic capability of the company with the insertion of the diverse legal & regulatory of different nations.

Weakness: The barrier of the legal & regulatory aspects of the government plays a determinative role for the retail business (Pagell & Halperin, 2000).

Opportunity: By abiding with the legal & regulatory environment, the company would get more options to improve its customer base, as the customers prefer those companies, which adopt favorable policies according to the legal bodies.

Threat: Frequent changes in the governmental regulations can pose threat to the company by causing the firm to apply changes in its business process, which can further affect the customer base.

Trend: The legal & regulatory framework of government would become rigid with the passage of time.

Decisions & Recommendations: The Company should check its dimensions, which it uses to prepare the tax statements. If the work is performed in an effective manner, it will assist the company to comply with the legal bodies.

Global forces: Global forces also act as an effective platform for the company. SWOTT analysis of these forces is as follow:

Strength: The business of the company is well matched with the globalization.

Weakness: As the company is moving towards globalization, it will have to face the intense competition.

Opportunity: In the international business scene, there is an opportunity for the company to augment its customers base (Ryall & Craig, 2003).

Threat: There are a numerous retail players in the market, so, this also may pose threat to the company in a massive manner by developing the counter strategies to attain the competitive advantage.

Trend: As the globalization is rapidly increasing due to its ample opportunities. The company business has more options to grow in the competitive market (Brewster & Harris, 2004).

Decisions & Recommendation: The firm should adopt the market research, in order to identify changing taste & preferences of the customers by conducting research on consumer behavior that is helpful to enhance its market share.

Technological forces: The current business milieu is totally based on the execution of the innovative technologies. SWOTT analysis of this force is as follow:

Strength: The Company by adopting the changes occurring in the technological environment may improve its competitive position in ...