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Wal Mart 's Company Overview And History

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Company Overview and History Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer operating over 11,000 retail units under 71 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries (Wal-Mart, 2014). It employs 2.2 million associates around the world — 1.3 million in the U.S. alone. Since the first Wal-Mart store opened in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, Sam Walton expanded nationally to 51 stores with recorded annual sales of $78 million by 1972 when Wal-Mart was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (WMT). After a decade of several firsts, Wal-Mart reached $1 billion in annual sales in 1980, faster than any other company at that time. By 1990, Walmart became the nation 's number-one retailer. As the Wal-Mart Supercenter redefined convenience and…show more content…
Wal-Mart U.S. attracted nearly 140 million weekly shoppers to their stores and delivered net sales of more than $279 billion, an increase of $5 billion, or 1.8 percent, from the previous year. According to its annual report (Wal-Mart, 2014), Wal-Mart International’s net sales increased 1.3 percent to more than $136 billion. The company’s focus on cost discipline helped drive 4 percent operating income growth, more than twice the rate of sale. According to a report by Retail Info Systems News (2013), Wal-Mart is currently redefining the next generation of retail growth and is the best-positioned retailer to win at the convergence of digital and physical retail. In fiscal 2015, the company plans to continue to grow the multi-format portfolio. The core supercenter fleet serves the stock-up trip and accounts for the majority of the market share leadership. The rollout of Neighborhood Markets to serve the quick-trip needs is being accelerated as well as the pilot of Wal-Mart Express focusing on the rural quick-trip. Neighborhood Markets and Express deliver convenience and customer access to fresh foods, pharmacy and fuel. Overall, Wal-Mart plans to add between 21 and 23 million retail square feet, representing between 385 and 415 units
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