Abstract

The case ‘Walmart’s Support to Stakeholders During the COVID-19 Crisis’ describes the various challenges faced by Walmart with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that included operational and employee challenges as well as changes in consumer purchase behaviour. The case then focuses on Walmart’s response plan for its various stakeholders to ensure business continuity and sustain growth. Walmart focused on changes in operating hours, new safety guidelines and enhanced health benefits for employees. The retailer invested in various technologies to offer contactless shopping services. It took steps to hire on contract basis employees laid-off by other companies. The retailer also offered financing support to business partners and suppliers and collaborated with the national governments to offer vaccination support through its stores for the local communities. The case ends with a focus on how these initiatives helped the retailer not only manage business risk but at the same time strengthen its brand image and customer experience.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Gain awareness of risks arising from the business environment
• Understand the importance of timely management of stakeholders
• Learn about using crisis management as an opportunity to strengthen company image
• Examine the kinds of challenges that arise for various stakeholders

Keywords

Stakeholder Management; Business Environment; Business Continuity; Risk Management; Crisis Management; Employee Welfare; Community Welfare;