XXXXXXXXXXWordsAPA formatted References As a newly promoted Vice President, your CEO has invited you to participate in this year's upcoming Strategic planning session. You know that this will be...

The three retail firms selected for the purpose of the assignment are Amazon.com,
exclusive store of Apple Inc., and Wal-Mart. Established in 1996, Amazon.com is an online
retailer which serves the consumer in two segments. First segment being the North America
business and a second segment is international business. Apple Inc operates in the consumer
electronic industry. In 2001, first retail store was established displaying the various products
developed by Apple for its customers. Incorporated in 1945, Wal-Mart operates several retail
outlets in various formats. There are approximately 10,800 stores under 69 banners in 27
countries and e-commerce Websites in 10 countries.
Generic strategies of each firm
Amazon.com Inc follows a Cost leadership strategy where it aims to provide products at
the lowest possible price. The low cost strategy is critical to their business success (Michael ,
2005). However for their own product the company integrated cost leadership and differentiation
strategy to provide differentiated products at lower cost.
Apple Inc falls under the category of differentiation strategy through its process of
innovation and creativity. The apple retail stores were an initiative to educate the customers
about Apple’s product. Thus the company differentiated itself also through this creative...