The L.A. Times reports on changes coming to Wal-Mart :
In the U.S., the company will shut all 102 Wal-Mart Express locations -- a pilot program started in 2011 to appeal to customers who wanted smaller-format stores. Wal-Mart will also close 23 Neighborhood Market locations, 12 Wal-Mart Supercenters, seven stores in Puerto Rico, six discount centers and four Sam's Clubs.
There's more:
Wal-Mart was a leader in grocery sales from the mid-1990s to 2000s, but since then, other chains such as Kroger Co. have pulled ahead, boasting lower prices and attracting more customers, said Brian Yarbrough, consumer research analyst at Edward Jones. Grocery still makes up about 55% of its revenue and the plans to add neighborhood markets could be an opportunity for the company to regain some customers, he said.
An article well worth your time.
