The Impact of Financial Market Volatility on Supply Chain Management Decisions – A Case-Based Qualitative Study on Walmart and Amazon

Xinrui Luo

doi:10.54254/2754-1169/2025.LD24286

Advances in Economics, Management and Political SciencesOpen access

The Impact of Financial Market Volatility on Supply Chain Management Decisions – A Case-Based Qualitative Study on Walmart and Amazon

Research Article

Open Access

The Impact of Financial Market Volatility on Supply Chain Management Decisions – A Case-Based Qualitative Study on Walmart and Amazon

Xinrui Luo ^1*

¹ Dongbei University of Finance and Economics

^*Corresponding author: xl01343@surrey.ac.uk

Published on 21 June 2025

AEMPS Vol.190

ISSN (Print): 2754-1177

ISSN (Online): 2754-1169

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-181-5

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-182-2

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Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of financial market volatility on supply chain management decisions, focusing on two major global retailers: Walmart and Amazon. As global markets become increasingly interconnected, financial fluctuations—driven by factors such as economic recessions, geopolitical conflicts, and speculative behaviors—pose significant challenges to businesses. These challenges are particularly evident in supply chain operations, where companies often face heightened uncertainty regarding costs and demand. This study explores how Walmart and Amazon adapt their procurement strategies, optimize inventory management, and enhance risk mitigation practices during periods of financial instability, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The research employs qualitative case studies to understand how these companies respond to market disruptions and maintain operational continuity. Findings indicate that both companies have successfully leveraged their unique business models, such as Walmart’s multi-channel strategy and Amazon’s technological innovations, to navigate financial volatility. This paper highlights the importance of flexibility, adaptability, and technological integration in ensuring supply chain resilience amidst uncertain economic conditions. The study provides valuable insights for businesses aiming to strengthen their supply chain strategies in response to fluctuating market forces.

Keywords:

Financial Market Volatility, Supply Chain Management, Risk Management, Inventory Optimization, Case studies.

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References

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[2]. Bayles, D. L. (2001). E-commerce Logistics and Fulfillment. Prentice Hall PTR.

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References

[1]. Baghersad, M. , & Zobel, C. W. (2021). Assessing the extended impacts of supply chain disruptions on firms: An empirical study. International Journal of Production Economics, 231, 107862.

[2]. Bayles, D. L. (2001). E-commerce Logistics and Fulfillment. Prentice Hall PTR.

[3]. Borgman, H. P. , & Rachan, W. (2009). Managing Risk in Supply Chain. International Journal of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management, 2(3), 50–66.

[4]. Chowdhury, M. M. H. , & Quaddus, M. (2016). Supply chain readiness, response and recovery for resilience. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 21(6), 709–731.

[6]. Jüttner, U. , & Maklan, S. (2011). Supply chain resilience in the global financial crisis: an empirical study. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 16(4), 246–259.

[7]. McGee, R. W. (2019). How Large is Walmart? A Comparison of Walmart Sales to Nationss GDP. SSRN Electronic Journal, 1(1).

[9]. Selvaraj, M. , & Raman, R. (2025). Impact of Supply Chain Traceability on Risk Management and Resilience. International Journal of Supply Chain and Logistics, 9(3), 60–73.

Cite this article

Luo,X. (2025). The Impact of Financial Market Volatility on Supply Chain Management Decisions – A Case-Based Qualitative Study on Walmart and Amazon. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,190,57-64.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICEMGD 2025 Symposium: Digital Transformation in Global Human Resource Management

ISBN: 978-1-80590-181-5(Print) / 978-1-80590-182-2(Online)

Editor: Florian Marcel Nuţă , An Nguyen

Conference website: https://2025.icemgd.org/

Conference date: 26 September 2025

Series: Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences

Volume number: Vol.190

ISSN: 2754-1169(Print) / 2754-1177(Online)

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