The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, is moving into Europe, with the UK its second target after Germany. BBC News Online's Tim Weber looks at the secrets to the company's success. The figures make owners of corner stores and small retail chains shudder: Wal-Mart operates 3,601 stores, employs more than 910,000 people worldwide, and revenue was $137.6 last year. billion (£85.7 billion) – equivalent to a tenth of Britain's total economic output. Patrick O'Connell: The world's largest retailer began as a single store in Arkansas. The company serves approximately 90 million customers every week and has stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, China, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Argentina and South Korea. Where Wal-Mart walks, competitors tremble. UK supermarkets will face tough times, but consumers are set to reap the benefits. Expansion Wal-Mart is the grandfather of all discount chains. Its massive U.S. stores, twice the size of Europe's largest hypermarket, sell everything from food to clothing to sporting goods to hardware. Richard Quest delves into the secret to Wal-Mart's success Operating from bargain prices In city department stores, Wal-Mart's discount prices have crushed the competition. After founder Sam Walton died in 1992, the company briefly seemed to have lost its way. But under the leadership of new CEO and president David Glass it soon reinvented itself. Wal-Mart offers a complete shopping experience, from groceries and apparel to hardware and workout equipment. Wal-Mart is now stronger than ever. Sales are on the rise again: +17% last year. Strong consumer spending in the United States has helped the company's fortunes. But the main driving force of future revenues will be Wal-Mart's relentless international expansion program. In Europe the company has only entered the German market so far, buying 21 Wertkauf stores a year ago and adding 74 Interspar stores last fall. Bob Martin, president of Wal-Mart's international operations, says it wants to serve "a good portion of Europe." And one of its vice-presidents, Carlos Criado-Perez, adds: "We are looking for any open door that can open in Europe." Wal-Mart wants to open a business in cyberspace too. Mr. Martin believes the Internet is "on the cusp" of taking off and wants his company to become "a dominant player." The secret to SamWal-Mart's success is a relatively young company, founded 37 years ago by Sam Walton.Sam Walton, self-made man and American legend