WINNER IMAGES: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 LOGO Image Directory: 1-7: Wal-Mart Logistics 8-9: gia Awards dinner - Chicago, 3/16/2008

With more than 6,000 stores around the globe, Wal-Mart has become the world’s largest and most successful retailer by combining the best of two worlds – technology and world-class retailing – with their original ‘Always Low Prices’ philosophy. Wal-Mart’s innovative approaches to global logistics, their highly efficient inventory management system and superior operations help them continually deliver the lowest possible prices.

Pairing a unique store density strategy with an expertly formulated and managed stocking system is the strategy behind Wal-Mart’s winning logistics program. The company keeps in-store inventory low and relies on frequent restocking from their distribution centers, which are never more than 250 miles away from their stores.

The company’s pioneering implementation of RFID use has further allowed for efficient inventory management. Wal-Mart was one of the first companies to put supply chain management at the forefront of its enterprise allowing this high-velocity warehousing system to increase efficiency while lowering storage and handling costs.

In addition to its excellence in logistics and inventory management, Wal-Mart realized in 2004 that by eliminating waste and becoming a more sustainable company, it could further reduce operating costs.

Again driven by identifying greater areas of efficiencies, Wal-Mart focused on reducing one of its biggest costs: energy consumption. As a result of this effort, Wal-Mart strives to achieve a 20% energy reduction by 2012 for its existing stores, and 25-30% for stores built after 2009.