Disruption: Amazon and Wal-Mart

Some of the largest retailers in the world started as small entrepreneurial companies. A good comparison of Amazon and Wal-Mart shows how each has disrupted the retail industry. The growth of Wal-Mart as the largest retailer in the world has led to a changing retail landscape and has seen the demise of many smaller retailers and retail chains. Amazon has taken over and grown what was once a space serviced by catalog shopping. Amazon has disrupted the retail space with its huge selection and ability to quickly deliver physical products to the home.

Although Walmart has a huge retail and distribution reach, they have failed to effectively compete in the online marketplace. Over the years, they have made several attempts. They recently announced a new effort and are slowing brick-and-mortar store openings to invest in their latest Online model (D'Innocenzio, 2016).

Is it too late for Wal-Mart? How would you guide Wal-Mart? Is Amazon getting old or are they taking on risks by being too far ahead of the technology? Think of their delivery by Drone concept (https://youtu.be/Le46ERPMlWU ).

Reference:

D'Innocenzio, A. (2016). Wal-Mart Looks to Online Sales for Growth. Retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-10-06/wal-mart-plans-to-slow-new-store-openings-invest-in-online