Retreat...

What is wrong with WalMart? After 10 years of trying, the retailer accepted thier defeat in Germany!

"It is pulling out after almost a decade with a loss of $1 billion (£540 million) and has agreed to sell its 85 stores to local rival Metro for an undisclosed sum."
-- TimesOnline

And I'm trying to understand, why they need to sell their stores for loss? Metro sure will not only gain a lot financially, but also will become advantageous with WalMart's stores and supplier resources & networks.

It is really not long back that we learnt about WalMart's death in South Korea too. And we also know that they are not only expanding in South & Central America but also in China. Isn't China a very similar market to that of South Korea? Yes, it is understandable that most of WalMart's products are coming from Asian countries and hence, moving things over its supply chain network to China won't be that bad of a hassle as that of the Americas. But, similar to the South Korean market, WalMart will have really a tough time to compete with the local big retailers who sure have a cultural advantage and hence, a better way of attracting the local customers. Don't you agree?

I already wrote this question. Can WalMart be stopped from becoming a leader in other international markets too? Two countries representing Asian & European markets just shut the door to WalMart within 3 months. Global expansion for leaders in retailing industry, is not that easy!

Hmm... Sure, I would like to read & know what happened in these 2 markets if at all there comes out a 'Failure Analysis'!