Anyone who has lived abroad quickly realizes how efficient the retail industry is in America relative to other countries. Besides the obvious investments in technology, American retailers overall unrivalled customer service that is striking when compared to what most shoppers get in their home countries. So it is no surprise that many American retailers have successfully expanded abroad where there are great opportunities to be seized. Still, I found this item shocking:

Wal-Mart de Mexico, the Mexican retail group, which already captures an astounding 40 per cent of the Mexican retail market and is the nation's largest employer, posted a 13.5 per cent increase in net profits in the fourth quarter on sales that rose 9 per cent.

40% and growing! Of course it helped that Wal-Mart went in and bought out the largest retailer in Mexico. But, still, an impressive number. How many of those independent retailers that Wal-Mart has put out of business in Mexico would have thought the future would catch up to them so soon?