Peterson keynotes second annual FPFC Phoenix luncheon
Peterson keynotes second annual FPFC Phoenix luncheon
PHOENIX " A gathering of nearly 200 people attended the Fresh Produce & Floral Council?s second annual Arizona luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 16 at the Phoenix Crown Plaza Hotel, here. Kevin Easler of Sprouts Farmers Market, served as the emcee for the event, while Wal-Mart?s Bruce Peterson was the day?s keynote speaker.
Mr. Peterson gave what he called "a Wal-Mart update and a look ahead." He said that the company had "no shortage of press coverage and no shortage of challenges? in the past year. Joking that Wal-Mart seemed to be blamed for everything including the "moon being out of phase," he added, "If you keep throwing enough stuff against the wall, some will stick."
In response to some of the negative publicity, Mr. Peterson said that the company, which he acknowledged usually lets its performance speak for itself, took the unusual step of taking out ads talking about what Wal-Mart accomplishes in the community.
?As Wal-Mart facts get out, people are surprised." He said that last year Wal-Mart donated more than $150 million to charities, and its stores and customers donated another $70 million.
Although a turbulent year, Mr. Peterson said, "With all that activity, we had no shortage of growth. We don?t let outside detractors affect our relationship with customers."
He said that analysts? forecasts show Wal-Mart as the No. 2 company in the world when it comes to retail revenue (second only to Exxon-Mobil). In 2004, Wal-Mart had a 12.1 percent increase in retail revenues, or as Mr. Peterson put it, "a pretty good Wal-Mart year."
The Wal-Mart executive also touched upon subjects including RFID compliance (by Jan. 1, its top 100 suppliers were 100 percent RFID compliant, and this year "we will bring another 200 companies on?) to Wal-Mart?s Stores of the Community (although the company is a worldwide entity, Mr. Peterson said that "we must be as local as we can?).
Mr. Peterson gave what he called "a Wal-Mart update and a look ahead." He said that the company had "no shortage of press coverage and no shortage of challenges? in the past year. Joking that Wal-Mart seemed to be blamed for everything including the "moon being out of phase," he added, "If you keep throwing enough stuff against the wall, some will stick."
In response to some of the negative publicity, Mr. Peterson said that the company, which he acknowledged usually lets its performance speak for itself, took the unusual step of taking out ads talking about what Wal-Mart accomplishes in the community.
?As Wal-Mart facts get out, people are surprised." He said that last year Wal-Mart donated more than $150 million to charities, and its stores and customers donated another $70 million.
Although a turbulent year, Mr. Peterson said, "With all that activity, we had no shortage of growth. We don?t let outside detractors affect our relationship with customers."
He said that analysts? forecasts show Wal-Mart as the No. 2 company in the world when it comes to retail revenue (second only to Exxon-Mobil). In 2004, Wal-Mart had a 12.1 percent increase in retail revenues, or as Mr. Peterson put it, "a pretty good Wal-Mart year."
The Wal-Mart executive also touched upon subjects including RFID compliance (by Jan. 1, its top 100 suppliers were 100 percent RFID compliant, and this year "we will bring another 200 companies on?) to Wal-Mart?s Stores of the Community (although the company is a worldwide entity, Mr. Peterson said that "we must be as local as we can?).
