Wht is the difference between Walmart and K-Mart? I'm British are they the same chain?

The 2 main differences between K-mart and Wal-mart are the prices and the quality of goods at each store. A third, more dangerous difference is that Wal-Mart builds stores in a smaller market, driving out the mom and pop owned stores. Once all the privately owned stores are closed, Wal-Mart raises it prices and then, because they are the only store that's open, has a monopoly on where people spend their money. K-Mart believes that it can ride out the wave, and not put their competition out of business. While you'll pay a bit more for products at K-Mart, chances are that the quality is better.

K-mart was one of several discount chains begun by more traditional retailers in the 1960's, and was the only one of these to survive. For example, JC Penney started Treasure Island, FW Woolworth started a chain called Woolco, WT Grant began Grantway (I think), and SS Kresge started K-mart. All of these were meant to compete with each other and Sears, and in the end K-mart just about killed Sears plus a great many independent retailers in small towns. K-mart ruled retailing in the US in the late 1970's and early 1980's, and Sam Walton, manager of a JC Penney in Arkansas back then, decided to emulate them when he opened his own stores. Thus while K-mart had their 'Blue light special," Wal-mart had a 'red light special.' K-mart had a cleared-out section in the middle of the store for sale items, and so did Wal-mart (they were called 'the Midway' and "Action Alley," respectively.) But K-mart did not age gracefully, nor did their stores, and their main office became both lazy and, I suspect, corrupt. In any case, the stores began to deteriorate and couldn't compete with Wal-mart. Wal-mart understands what happened to K-mart and strives mightily to continually renew itself: the red-light specials were dropped long ago, and the stores change strategies fairly often. As it happens, K-mart is still a fairly viable store. They've merged with their old enemy Sears and seem to be holding up okay, even in towns like ours that have recently gained a Wal-mart. And Wal-mart knows that it's in a perilous position, too: there's a lot of competition from rivals old and new.

Completely different chain. K mart is almost extinct. Wal Mart was started by Sam Walton and is taking over the WORLD! Both are discount stores. Wal Mart has it's own grocery story in it now.

walmart is called asda here in the uk :) xxx

walmarrt is so much better. Wal-Mart is the world's largest employer and has long since eclipsed K-Mart in sales and earnings. K-Mart remains vital in its way, and certainly among those who have a choice and prefer K-Mart to Wal-Mart. i prefer walmart.

THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT CORPS

no they are not the same chain. walmart has a bigger selection of everything and it is usually 50 cents to $1 cheaper on everything. k-mart has sales, walmart doesn't because they are already cheaper than what the sales would be. (they call it rollback) i have been to both a zillion times and i still get everything cheaper and for every one thing that kmart sells, walmart has 3!!

2 separate companies Both are 2 large "big box" stores and wal mart seems to be growing while I see little from k mart.. Both got larger as they evolved but k mart always seemed to be 2nd to do things wal mart is by far a larger a company and will put k mart out of business

nope walmart is a very popular department and there is many all over the world...japan,us, etc. kmart is a much lesser popular department store walmart makes billions!