Case Assignment-What Would You Do? WAL-MART CANADA Mississauga, ON. When retail analysts look back on Canada's retail history, many refer to events stores that existed B.W. or A.W., in other words, "Before Wal-Mart or After Wal-Mart. The retail powerhouse entered Canada in 1994, purchasing the Woolco discount chain of 122 stores an establishing its Canadian operation. Analysts and customers alike watched with interest to see if company's phenomenal success in the U.S. would translate into Canada. It did. Canadians embra Wal-Mart's customer-driven, low-price, one stop shopping strategy, making Wal-Mart a routine an frequent shopping destination. Currently, Wal-Mart Canada has over 300 stores across Canada and employs over 80,000 Cana making it the country's third largest employer. Wal-Mart U.S. continues to set the tone for much of expansion and growth strategy in Canada. After the success of the Wal-Mart Supercenter in the US larger format retail store that boasts general merchandise as well as groceries, it was only a matter o before the concept would make it across the border. At last count, 125 Supercentres were in Canada, an expected 40 more to come. Worldwide, Wal-Mart has over 2 million employees and is considered be the largest company in the world, earning over $400 billion in revenues a year. The sheer size of company's workforce, along with the role that employees play in the company's success, means that labour trends and workforce diversity will continue to be topics of importance for this retail giant. Wal-Mart isn't alone in this issue. For many companies today, people are a valuable asset and a competitive advantage. In order to succeed in today's global market, companies must attract and retai people with the right skills and an ability, making the most of the full range of people available in the workforce -- and that means diversity. The business world has proven that a diverse workforce is not o a social imperative but also makes good business sense. A more diverse workforce is known to have greater creativity and potential for innovation and better insight into the needs of what has become a diverse market. Simply put, to best serve the market one must "employ the market." One issue that will undoubtedly impact Wal-Mart Canada, as well as other large organizations, is the aging of Canada's population and the corresponding retirements and exits from the workforce Baby boomers are beginning to disappear from the workforce. This, coupled with lower birth rates, signals a possible labour shortage for some industries and highlights the fact that recruitment and training of workers will be critical in the future Case Assignment-What Would You Do? WAL-MART CANADA Mississauga, ON. When retail analysts look back on Canada's retail history, many refer to events stores that existed B.W. or A.W., in other words, "Before Wal-Mart or After Wal-Mart. The retail powerhouse entered Canada in 1994, purchasing the Woolco discount chain of 122 stores an establishing its Canadian operation. Analysts and customers alike watched with interest to see if company's phenomenal success in the U.S. would translate into Canada. It did. Canadians embra Wal-Mart's customer-driven, low-price, one stop shopping strategy, making Wal-Mart a routine an frequent shopping destination. Currently, Wal-Mart Canada has over 300 stores across Canada and employs over 80,000 Cana making it the country's third largest employer. Wal-Mart U.S. continues to set the tone for much of expansion and growth strategy in Canada. After the success of the Wal-Mart Supercenter in the US larger format retail store that boasts general merchandise as well as groceries, it was only a matter o before the concept would make it across the border. At last count, 125 Supercentres were in Canada, an expected 40 more to come. Worldwide, Wal-Mart has over 2 million employees and is considered be the largest company in the world, earning over $400 billion in revenues a year. The sheer size of company's workforce, along with the role that employees play in the company's success, means that labour trends and workforce diversity will continue to be topics of importance for this retail giant. Wal-Mart isn't alone in this issue. For many companies today, people are a valuable asset and a competitive advantage. In order to succeed in today's global market, companies must attract and retai people with the right skills and an ability, making the most of the full range of people available in the workforce -- and that means diversity. The business world has proven that a diverse workforce is not o a social imperative but also makes good business sense. A more diverse workforce is known to have greater creativity and potential for innovation and better insight into the needs of what has become a diverse market. Simply put, to best serve the market one must "employ the market." One issue that will undoubtedly impact Wal-Mart Canada, as well as other large organizations, is the aging of Canada's population and the corresponding retirements and exits from the workforce Baby boomers are beginning to disappear from the workforce. This, coupled with lower birth rates, signals a possible labour shortage for some industries and highlights the fact that recruitment and training of workers will be critical in the future