Back in 1945, Sam Walton — who had previously worked at J.C. Penney — took a bold step by buying a "Five and Dime" store branch, armed with a vision that would reshape American retail. His goal? To completely transform the shopping experience for everyday consumers, all while turning a healthy profit in the process. Walton's concept centered on stocking a broad range of products at rock-bottom prices without sacrificing the store's bottom line, banking on the idea that high volume would drive success. The road wasn't entirely smooth, and he encountered a few challenges along the way. But his business model held up, and on July 12, 1962, he launched his own retail concept — Wal-Mart Discount City — a store that would eventually evolve into the very first official Walmart.

Fast forward to today, and the numbers tell a staggering story. As of 2022 statistics, Walmart stands as the planet's largest and most widely recognized retail chain, operating more than 11,000 stores spread across over 24 countries. Over the years, the brand has gone through multiple rebranding phases, most notably a significant shift in 2007 designed to appeal to a wealthier customer base while never losing sight of its core mission — passing savings along to shoppers. Research has shown that Walmart's pricing model puts an average of $957 back into each consumer's pocket annually, translating to roughly $2,500 in savings per household. What started as Sam Walton's ambitious dream of reimagining a humble "Five and Dime" has turned into one of the most extraordinarily successful business ventures in history.

Fun Facts about Walmart:

  • The first Walmart store opened in Rogers, Arkansas, the hometown of Sam Walton.
  • Walmart is a major employer with over 2 million associates worldwide, with more than 1.5 million of these based in the United States.
  • Walmart has begun utilizing robotics in its stores for price error detection and cleaning.
  • Walmart has recently set ambitious sustainability goals, including a "zero waste to landfill" objective and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Walmart is the world's largest private employer.