17768. STRATEGIC AUDIT OF WAL-MART STORES, INC. This term paper provides a strategic audit of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. After a brief summary of Wal-Mart’s operations, Wal-Mart’s strategy is assessed and analyzed using a five forces analysis and a summary SWOT analysis. The essay argues that Wal-Mart has achieved its remarkable retail success by following its combination price-and-expense-cutting strategy and that its existing level of bargaining power over suppliers, its ability to destroy smaller competitors and its powerful appeal to price-conscious consumers will keep feeding Wal-Mart’s growth in the future. On the other hand, Wal-Mart may be vulnerable from some competitors. The paper argues that Wal-Mart faces two main competitive threats: a price-threat from dollar-based discounters; and a product differentiation threat from upscale discount retailer Target. In addition to these potential competitive threats, Wal-Mart faces threats related to its poor public image and tarnished relations with employees. KEYWORDS: discount retailer Walmart strategic audit strategy SWOT five forces competitive analysis target stores term paper. Written 2005. APA Style. 12 pages, 53 footnotes, 39 bibliographic sources. 3,540 words.