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Wal-Mart has removed same store sales as a metric on which managers and executives are measured for performance based compensation. As a result CEO Duke sees his compensation increase in the last fiscal year from what it would be under the previous arrangement. Same store sales have declined for seven consecutive quarters at Wal-Mart. The new metric used instead of same store sales is total sales, which increased 3.4% in the last fiscal year. Duke's compensation was $18.7 million, of which $16 million was performance based, for the last fiscal year. Morgenson asks if Wal-Mart executives are being opportunistic when it comes to setting the metrics for performance based compensation.

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Wal-Mart takes up challenge of addressing the Chinese market, which is fragmented and highly competitive, by acquiring Taiwanese chain Trust-Mart. This takes it past Carrefour as the largest retail chain in China. Missteps in S. Korea and Germany led to exit there for Wal-Mart.

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Consumer buying habits at Walmart in the last 6 months since the sharp downturn in the economy hit in October 2008. Executives in merchandising at Walmart, Target and other stores discuss trends with the WSJ. There is adisciplined shopper with less browsing on the aisles. FOod is up on the list. Private label groceries at lower cost are selling well. At Walmart sales are up for refrigerated pizza,lower grades of meat. Ground beef and chicken sell way better than steak and beef. And carbohydrates are doing better than protein foods, so that pasta is doing well. Staying at home and entertaining at home is the trend says Fleming of Walmart, from the take and bake pizza at $5 to the movie and popcorn. Which is why the luggage section and trvel is slow, and flat screen tv's are selling well. Vitamins, herbs and plants for vegetable gardens are up as customers try to plant their own vegetable gardens. Car maintenance and repair is big, sales of motor oil, filters and tires. are some of Walmarts big sellers. Whatever makes the car last longer is considered attractive by customers. And home repair items are selling well at Home Depot....

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Growing Hispanic market on both sides of the US-Mexican border for Walmart is slowing down sales as the construction industry 25% Hispanics representing 2.9 million workers and three fourths foreign born, has been affected by slowing home sales and credit squeeze. This has slowed remittances to Mexico with difficult conditions for Hispanics. Walmart has targeted the Hispanic community to increase sales.

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A New York Times investigation report on Wal-Mart's efforts to expand in Mexico by opening stores in desired locations, overcoming public resistance with payments to public officials.

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Wal-Mart and five other companies will invest $500 million in Chinese online retailer 360buy.com. Wal-Mart operates more than 200 stores in China. 360buy.com says it is growing fast, with sales in 2010 at $1.5 billon, up from $200 million in 2008. This coincides with rapid growth and the convenience of online retailing in China. Analysts says 360 buy manages its own goods and distribution, which are mostly consumer electronics. 360buy resembles Amazon in the US. i-Research, a firm in Shanghai, says online retail sales in China are taking off with sales growing from $8.5 billion in 2007, to $75 billion in 2010. Before 360buy the other major online retailer was Taobao.com, a subsidiary of Alibaba, which does not resemble Amazon or 360buy, as it is more of an online bazaar that maches buyers and sellers.

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Walmart to implement a program of tighter safety and environmental compliance for its suppliers in China implement energy savings plan in its 113 stores in China. Walmart will issue these changes to its supply chain at a global supply-chain summit in Beijing this week. Walmart will phase in energy efficincy requirements with chinese suppliers next year and expand the program worldwide in 2010.

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Wal-Mart's Massmarket Holdings plans to open 90 new stores in Africa in 2013-2016. New store openings planned in Nigeria and Angola. Massmarket operates in 12 sub-Saharan countries of Africa and has 359 stores.