Yes, the Journal article said the loyalty cards are quite effective--and Asda, the British chain Walmart had bought, couldn't compete.

The problem for those of us who are not Walmart's biggest fans -- (think, in fact, that, like Mr. Bush, it represents the worst of US culture)-- is that Walmart has very deep pockets---and can easily buy into a country at the top. Late last year, for instance, it bought a stake in the largest Central American retailer. Now it has a majority stake.