WalMart, the biggest US retailer with estimated annual sales revenue of $2 bln and the second by popularity retail site after Amazon, has announced its strong intention to bring its network to international level, targeting to overpass Amazon's successes by developing sales in China, Japan and Brazil and creating e-commerce platform.

 The fact WalMart international division turned its head to overseas sales is explained by the deceleration of the US economy and continued weakness of dollar and also by potential growth on the multi-billion dollar market. Let us remind you that on the British market WalMart's Asda arm has already offered its consumers opportunity to purchase groceries, general goods and financial services via Internet. In Mexico, the WalMart affiliate, Superama neighborhood stores are offering an online delivery service. Frankly speaking, WalMart has duplicated the strategy on international expansion of  big a famous UK retailer "Tesco" that used a set of software applications called "Tesco in a box". In other words, the new e-commerce platform of WalMart would soon be named "WalMart in a box"?

The new curve in WalMart strategy shows the increasing interest of US retailers in the tremendous international opportunities and sales volume growth in the overseas online markets.  It is estimated that about 13% of total US retails sales excluding cars and groceries are processed online.  In accordance to the latest surveys the rapid growth of online shoppers in Asia reflects the "momentum shift" in global e-commerce.

Natalia, reporter of Ecommerce Journal