Imbatible: Wal-Mart Argentina Continues Expansion

Walmart located in the new 1.8 million-square foot Dot Buenos Aires Shopping Center

Ahorra dinero. Vivi­ mejor. Wal-Mart’s tagline proposition to Argentine consumers is simple: Save Money. Live Better. And judging by the company’s track record of growth in the country and recently announced plans for expansion, it’s a winning formula.

The company, which opened its first Sam’s Club in 1995, will operate 43 stores in 32 cities by year’s end. Wal-Mart Argentina plans to spend an additional $150 million in the country in 2010, according to the Wall Street Journal.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for the world’s largest retailer in Argentina; the company’s early missteps and slow acceptance of mega-retailers (locally hipermercados) are well documented in MBA case studies.

Fast forward fifteen years and Argentines seem to be fully embracing Wal-Mart, not only for the low prices and high-quality product mix, but also for the local jobs being created: 9,100 to date and growing.  The newly opened Supercenter in the City of Lujan offers online evidence. Of the 60+ comments posted below an article announcing the Grand Opening, over 90% of respondents offered words of praise and job inquires.

While Marta sees the competitive advantages, “Enough of high prices in the middle and low quality!,” Leandro looks to the future, “Progress is good.” (Google translation)

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