A Comparison between Walgreens and Wal-Mart Term Paper

A Comparison between Walgreens and Wal-Mart - Term Paper Example Both companies started off with core objectives of providing efficient services with regard to effective delivery of services in the drug retail sector. With time, both companies have grown to reputable companies with regard various service delivery practices related to the retailing industry. There exists a thin line with regard to the existence of service advantages of the services offered by both companies. Thus, in comparing and contrasting both companies, an individual requires the necessary content for effective realization of the service advantages. In addition, the employment of various analytic tools such as Porters’ 5 forces would provide the desired distinguishing edge. Founded by Charles R. Walgreen in 1901, Walgreens has grown to be one of the largest drug retailing companies in the U.S. according to its official website; the company currently boasts of over 8000 locations across the nation. This represents a significant expansion of the company from its headquart ers in Chicago, Illinois. Thus, the company provides services with regard to pharmacy, health and wellness. The company’s provision of these services is championed by the employment of various drugs stores and health service divisions in the country. Walgreens owes its origin to the establishment of small drug store in Chicago, Illinois in the early XX century. By the 1920s, the company’s stores had incurred a tremendous growth. ... Thus, according to the company’s official website, the company operates various departmental and warehouse stores around the world. The company has grown to be the leading retailer globally and the third largest public corporation. With more than 2 million employees around the world, the company boasts of the largest employee base in the in the globe. Headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, Wal-Mart owes its origin to the discounting ventures of its founder, Sam Walton. Walton employed the use of various discounted stores in the promotion of increased sales. Thus, Walton opened his first discounted store in Arkansas in 1962 which represented the birth of Wal-Mart Company. The company has, thus, rapidly expanded to become one of the leading companies in the world with regard to the retail industry. Comparative Analysis of both Wal-Mart and Walgreens Both Wal-Mart and Walgreen companies have engaged in cut-throat competition practices with regard to the dominance of the drug ret ail industry. However, it is necessary to note that upon the inception of Wal-Mart in 1962, Walgreens had been in operation for over 50 years. Thus, in order to gain rapid market share and competitive advantage with regard to Walgreens, Wal-Mart had to employ strategic competitive measures. Thus, Wal-Mart employed strategy that was centered on improving livelihoods. Enhancing people’s lives, thus, formed Wal-Mart’s mission (Amendola, 2012). This was accomplished through helping people to save money. Sam, Wal-Mart’s founder, wanted to improve people’s lives by lowering the high cost of living. Through the establishment of various strategies in Wal-Mart, Sam succeeded in creating a suitable platform for