Walmart

Walmart
Name	Walmart Inc.
Founded	2 July 1962
Founder	Sam Walton
Hq location city	Bentonville
Hq location country	United States
Key people	Greg Penner (Chairman), Doug McMillon (President & CEO)
Industry	Retail
Products	Groceries, Consumer electronics, Apparel, Home improvement
Revenue	US$648.1 billion (2024)
Num employees	~2.1 million (U.S., 2024)
Website	walmart.com

Walmart is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. Founded by Sam Walton in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962, it has grown to become the world's largest company by revenue and the largest private employer globally. The corporation is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas and its operations are divided into three main segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club.

History

The first store opened in 1962, with Walton's strategy focusing on high sales volume and low profit margins to drive growth. The company incorporated as Walmart Stores, Inc. in 1969 and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange the following year. Rapid expansion throughout the Southern United States and Midwestern United States followed, fueled by efficient distribution systems and advanced technology for inventory control. Key milestones include the opening of the first Sam's Club warehouse club in 1983 and the first Walmart Supercenter in 1988. By 1990, it had surpassed Kmart and Sears to become the largest retailer in the United States. International expansion began in 1991 with a store in Mexico City, forming a joint venture with Cifra, and later included major acquisitions like ASDA in the United Kingdom and a controlling stake in Seiyu Group in Japan.

Business operations

The company's operations are segmented into Walmart U.S., which includes all U.S. supercenters, discount stores, and neighborhood markets; Walmart International, with wholly-owned and joint venture operations in 18 countries; and the membership-only Sam's Club warehouses. Its business model relies on an extensive, highly automated logistics network, including a fleet of trucks and massive distribution centers, to maintain low costs. A significant portion of revenue comes from grocery sales, making it the largest grocer in the United States. It has heavily invested in e-commerce and digital initiatives, acquiring companies like Jet.com and Flipkart, to compete with rivals such as Amazon.

Corporate affairs

The corporation is led by a board of directors chaired by Greg Penner, with Doug McMillon serving as president and chief executive officer. Its global headquarters, the Walmart Home Office, is located in Bentonville, Arkansas. The Walton family, heirs of founder Sam Walton, maintain a controlling ownership stake through their holding company, Walton Enterprises. The company is a major contributor to political campaigns in the United States, primarily through the Walmart PAC, and engages in extensive philanthropic activities via the Walmart Foundation, which focuses on areas like hunger relief and workforce development. Its corporate culture has been heavily influenced by Sam Walton's principles, emphasizing cost-consciousness and customer service.

Economic impact and criticism

As the world's largest retailer, it exerts enormous influence on global supply chains, manufacturing, and retail wages. It has been frequently criticized by labor unions and advocacy groups for its wage policies, opposition to unionization, and impact on smaller local businesses, a phenomenon often termed "Walmart effect". Major lawsuits have addressed issues of gender discrimination in promotions and pay, notably the class-action case *Dukes v. Walmart*. Critics also argue its purchasing power pressures suppliers to lower costs, which can affect working conditions in factories, particularly in countries like China and Bangladesh.

Environmental record

The company has launched several sustainability initiatives, including goals to achieve zero emissions across its global operations by 2040 and to help protect and manage critical landscapes. It operates one of the largest commercial fleets of trucks in the U.S. and has invested in improving its fleet's fuel efficiency. The corporation has also implemented programs to reduce plastic waste and increase the sustainability of its product packaging. However, environmental groups have sometimes criticized the scale of its operations and its historical reliance on fossil fuels for transportation and energy.

See also

* Target Corporation * Costco * Kroger * Retail apocalypse * Big-box store

Category:Retail companies of the United States Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange Category:Companies based in Arkansas Category:1962 establishments in Arkansas