Reference no: EM13932732

The following footnote related to accounting for inventory was taken from the 2010 annual report of Walmart Stores, Inc.: Inventories The Company values inventories at the lower of cost or market as determined primarily by the retail method of accounting, using the last in, first out (LIFO) method for substantially all of the Walmart U.S. segment's merchandise inventories. Sam's Club merchandise and merchandise in our distribution warehouses are valued based on the weighted average cost using the LIFO method. Inventories of foreign operations are primarily valued by the retail method of accounting, using the first in, first out (FIFO) method. At January 31, 2010 and 2009, our inventories valued at LIFO approximate those inventories as if they were valued at FIFO. 

Required: 

Write a brief report explaining the reason or reasons that best explain why Walmart uses the LIFO cost flow method for its operations in the United States, but the FIFO method for its non U.S. operations.