Wal-Mart's mighty presence is no longer restricted to America. To the alarm of the UK retail sector, June 1999 saw Wal-Mart devour Asda. And given Wal-Mart's track record in the rest of the world, such alarm is well-founded. For instance, within seven years of Wal-Mart invading Canada and Mexico it became the largest retailer in both countries. It took less than two years for it to become the fourth largest retailer in Germany, while France and several Scandinavian countries now look destined for Wal-Mart's shopping basket. In Sam We Trust offers an exhaustive in-depth investigation into this powerful retailing empire. Bob Ortega, The Wall Street Journal's authority on Wal-Mart, goes beyond the headlines and Sam Walton's carefully crafted public image to reveal the ruthless penny-pinching manipulator behind the visionary genius. He also provides an illuminating history of retailing that includes case studies of such important Wal-Mart competitors as Sears, J.C. Penny, Price Clubs and, of course, Kmart. In Sam We Trust describes in detail not only how Wal-Mart became what it is, but also how it works today. In this new edition, Bob Ortega brings us up to date with Wal-Mart's worldwide shopping spree and gives us a unique peep behind the doors of the Asda deal and its likely impact on British retailing, shoppers and communities. In Sam We Trust provides a fascinating context for current developments: Ortega's incisive analysis of Sam Walton's controversial rise to power and the creation of the world's most successful retail business makes for a shocking yet compelling read.

Author Biography

An award-winning investigative reporter, Bob Ortega covered Wal-Mart for The Wall Street Journal for five years. He previously worked at The Seattle Times and The Anchorage Times, and as Managing Editor of Homer (Alaska) News. He has contributed articles to numerous other publications and has worked as a television and radio reporter. He is a graduate of Princeton University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.