Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

(NYSE: WMT), branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal*Mart before then, is an American multinational retailer corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000 list, and the largest public corporation when ranked by revenue. It is also the biggest private employer in the world with over two million employees, and is the largest retailer in the world. Walmart remains a family-owned business, as the company is controlled by the Walton family who own a 48% stake in Walmart.[4][5] The company was founded by Sam Walton in 1962, incorporated on October 31, 1969, and publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 1972. It is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. Walmart is also the largest grocery retailer in the United States. In 2009, it generated 51% of its US$258 billion sales in the U.S. from grocery business.[6] It also owns and operates the Sam's Club retail warehouses in North America.[7][8] Walmart has 8,500 stores in 15 countries, under 55 different names.[9] The company operates under the Walmart name in the United States, including the 50 states and Puerto Rico. It operates in Mexico as Walmex, in the United Kingdom as Asda, in Japan as Seiyu, and in India as Best Price. It has wholly owned operations in Argentina, Brazil, and Canada. Walmart's investments outside North America have had mixed results: its operations in the United Kingdom, South America and China are highly successful, whereas ventures in Germany and South Korea were unsuccessful.
NEW HISTORY

History
The birth of discount retailing
Most people think discount retailing began in 1962 the year that Kmart, Target, and Walmart first opened. But actually, the chain of variety stores Sam Walton owned during the 1950s faced stiff competition from many regional discount stores.

1962 Walmart begins

Before opening Walmart, Sam traveled the country studying everything he could about discount retailing. He became convinced American consumers wanted a new type of store. Trusting his vision, Sam and his wife Helen put up 95 percent of the money for the first Walmart store in Rogers, Ark.

1972 Walmart goes public

Discounters such as Kmart quickly expanded in the 1960s, while Sam only had enough money to build 15 Walmart stores. In 1972, Walmart stock was offered for the first time on the New York

Stock Exchange. With this infusion of capital, our company grew to 276 stores in 11 states by the end of the decade.

The 1980s Walmart comes of age

In 1983, the first Sams Club members-warehouse store opened. The first Supercenter opened in 1988, featuring a complete grocery, and 36 departments of general merchandise. By 1989, there were 1,402 Walmart stores and 123 Sams Club locations. Employment had increased tenfold. Sales had grown from $1 billion in 1980, to $26 billion.

The 21st century one of the most successful retailers in the world
Today, 10,185 stores and club locations in 27 countries employ 2.2 million associates, serving more than 176 million customers a year. Our history is a perfect example of how to manage growth without losing sight of your values. Our most basic value has always been, and always will be, customer service.

Sams secret give your customers what they want

In his autobiography, Sam said, " if you think about it from the point of view of the customer, you want everything: a wide assortment of quality merchandise; the lowest possible prices; guaranteed satisfaction; friendly, knowledgeable service; convenient hours; and a pleasant shopping experience. You love it when a store exceeds your expectations, and you hate it when a store inconveniences you, gives you a hard time, or pretends you're invisible."