jerico

Three Thriving Companies: Wal-Mart, Apple, Apollo Group

Wal-Mart became #1 through not being taken seriously by the big boys in retail in the 70's and 80's. You are right that most people live close to a big Wal-Mart store, but they don't live close to a Market Place store (new format). The new, smaller, super-C stores are a growth opportunity.

Also, your stats only address the U.S.A.

Fully 33% of Wal-Mart is outside of the U.S. now, and in a few years this will become 50%. They just bought a new chain in Chile. Wal-Mart as a whole is still a growth company, and soon only half of it's competition will be in the U.S.