Wal-Mart Eyes Global Gains From EDLP

SN STAFF

NEW YORK — Wal-Mart Stores' international division is seeking to drive sales gains by implementing an EDLP position in all of its markets around the globe and through a market-by-market training process to improve local merchandising skills, the division's top executive said at an investment conference here on Wednesday.

"Not every country has yet implemented EDLP; some are yet to come, but we've started and most of our markets have already been there or are moving to everyday low price," said Doug McMillon, president and chief executive officer, Walmart International, in a presentation at the Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference.

He cited Brazil as an example of a market in which results have been improved through the implementation of EDLP. He also said he expects a conversion to EDLP in China will boost sales there.

"China presents an enormous opportunity for us in the future," McMillon said. "We're working with that team to develop our timing and our approach to that based on learning that we've gotten from Japan and Brazil and other markets."

In addition, Walmart International is launching "merchants' academies" throughout the world to teach "fundamental principles of doing business in a Wal-Mart way as it relates to how to implement a strong merchandizing strategy," McMillon told investors at the conference.