ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates recent structural changes in the global retail industry, which have led to the emergence of giant multinational retailers. In particular, it examines the strategy and value chain structure of Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer. The second part of this chapter examines Wal-Mart’s value chain activities in China in order to understand the current position of Chinese firms in the global retail value chain as well as the implications of catch-up for these firms. In addition, the chapter also analyses the impact of Wal-Mart’s operations on Chinese workers and consumers in its value chain in order to form a more comprehensive evaluation of the retailer’s microeconomic impact in China.
