Developing Corporate Strategy - Vertical and Horizontal Integration

WalMart is always willing to expand. The company practices vertical integration, in that it used to only be a retailer - a place where customers shop for consumer goods. But in 1991, the company expanded into offering consumer goods under its own private label brand, Sam's Choice. Today, the Sam's Choice brand of soft drinks is the third most popular brand in the United States. Also, the company has expanded its offerings in home entertainment. The company acquired Vudu in 2010. The online-streaming service allows users to purchase movies that can be viewed on almost any internet-capable device. The company also experiments with horizontal integration. Being good at retail, the company has sought entering the used car market. The company's use of synergy, such as selling its own products in its stores, is now a standard strategy for the company.