Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{short description|Multinational retail chain founded in the United States}}
{{about|the retail chain|other uses}}
{{pp-pc1|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Walmart Inc.
| logo = Walmart logo.svg
| logo_caption = Walmart's current logo since 2008
| image = Walmart Home Office.jpg
| image_caption = Walmart's official headquarters in [[Bentonville, Arkansas]]
| trading_name =
| former_name = Wal-Mart, Inc. (1969–70)<br />Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (1970–2018)
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| ISIN = US9311421039
| industry = [[Retail]]
| traded_as = {{Unbulleted list|{{NYSE|WMT}}|[[DJIA]] component|[[S&P 100]] component|[[S&P 500]] component}}
| foundation = {{ubl
| {{Start date and age|1962|7|2}}
| [[Rogers, Arkansas]], U.S.
}}
| founder = [[Sam Walton]]
| location_city = [[Bentonville, Arkansas]], United States
| locations = {{increase}} 11,718 stores worldwide (January 31, 2018)<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage">{{cite web |url = http://stock.walmart.com/investors/financial-information/unit-counts-and-square-footage/default.aspx |title = Information for Walmart Investors: Unit Counts & Square Footage |publisher = |accessdate = February 20, 2018 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170304232629/http://stock.walmart.com/investors/financial-information/unit-counts-and-square-footage/default.aspx |archivedate = March 4, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="Unit Counts by Country">{{cite web |url = http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2018/q4/WMT-Detailed-Unit-Count-FY2018-January.pdf |title = Unit Counts by Country January 31, 2017 |publisher = |accessdate = February 20, 2018 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170222111654/http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_downloads/Unit-Counts/WMT-Detailed-Unit-Count-FY2018-January.pdf |archivedate = February 22, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{plainlist|
* [[Greg Penner]] {{small|(Chairman)}}
* [[Doug McMillon]] {{small|(President & [[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]])}}
}}
| products = {{hlist|Electronics|Movies and music|Home and furniture|Home improvement|Clothing|Footwear|Jewelry|Toys|Health and beauty|Pet supplies|Sporting goods and fitness|Auto|Photo finishing|Craft supplies|Party supplies|Grocery}}
| services = {{hlist|[[Ria Money Transfer|Walmart-2-Walmart]]|Walmart MoneyCard|Pickup Today|Walmart.com|Walmart Pay}}
| revenue = {{increase}} {{US$|500.34 billion|link=yes}} (2018)<ref name="xbrlus_1">{{cite web |url = http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2018/annual/WMT-2018_Annual-Report.pdf |title = Wal Mart Stores Inc 2018 Annual Results |publisher = Walmart |format = PDF |date = February 21, 2018 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| operating_income = {{decrease}} {{US$|20.437 billion}} (2018)<ref name="xbrlus_1" />
| net_income = {{decrease}} {{US$|9.862 billion}} (2018)<ref name="xbrlus_1" />
| assets = {{increase}} {{US$|204.52 billion}} (2018)<ref name="xbrlus_1" />
| equity = {{increase}} {{US$|77.869 billion}} (2018)<ref name="xbrlus_1" />
| owner = [[Walton family]] (51%)
| num_employees = {{plainlist|
* 2.3{{nbsp}}million, Worldwide (2017)
* 1.5{{nbsp}}million, U.S. (2017)<ref name="Walmart">{{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/locations/united-states |title = Walmart Locations Around the World – United States |publisher = |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150926012456/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/locations/united-states |archivedate = September 26, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
}}
| divisions = {{ublist|[[Walmart#Walmart U.S.|Walmart U.S.]]|[[Walmart#Walmart International|Walmart International]]|[[Sam's Club]]|[[Walmart#Global eCommerce|Global eCommerce]]}}
| subsid = {{ublist|[[Walmart Canada]]|[[Walmart Mexico]]|[[Walmart Chile]]|[[Walmart de México y Centroamérica]]|[[@WalmartLabs]]|[[Walmart Neighborhood Market]]|[[Asda]]|[[Amigo Supermarkets]]|[[Flipkart]]|[[Vudu]]|[[Massmart]]|[[Seiyu Group]]|[[Bompreço]]|[[Líder]]|[[Jet.com]]|[[Hayneedle]]|[[Moosejaw]]|[[ModCloth]]}}
| footnotes = <ref name="Form10K" /><ref name="OurBusiness" /><ref name="AsdaUK">{{cite web |title = Walmart Corporate: United Kingdom |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/locations/#/united-kingdom |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140104115055/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/locations/#/united-kingdom |archivedate = January 4, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| homepage = {{ublist
| {{URL|https://corporate.walmart.com/
| Corporate website}}
| {{URL|https://www.walmart.com/
| Commercial website}}
}}
}}
'''Walmart Inc.''' (formerly '''Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.''') is an American [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] [[retail]] [[corporation]] that operates a [[Chain store|chain]] of [[hypermarket]]s, [[discount department store]]s, and [[grocery store]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000010416918000013/form8-kx212018.htm |title = Form 8K – Walmart Inc. |date = February 1, 2018 |publisher = [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] |accessdate = February 1, 2018 }}</ref> Headquartered in [[Bentonville, Arkansas]], the company was founded by [[Sam Walton]] in 1962 and [[Incorporation (business)|incorporated]] on October 31, 1969. It also owns and operates [[Sam's Club]] [[warehouse club|retail warehouses]].<ref name="2015 Annual Report Page 19">{{cite web |url = http://stock.walmart.com/files/doc_financials/2015/annual/2015-annual-report.pdf |title = Walmart 2015 Annual Report |website = stock.walmart.com |publisher = Walmart |page = 19 |accessdate = October 6, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150709092937/http://stock.walmart.com/files/doc_financials/2015/annual/2015-annual-report.pdf |archivedate = July 9, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="Location_WorldMap">{{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/locations |title = Walmart Corporate: Locations |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140117041555/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/locations |archivedate = January 17, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} Walmart has 11,718 stores and clubs in 28{{nbsp}}countries, operating under 59 different{{nbsp}}names.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /><ref name="2018 10-K">http://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0000104169/a25e7acb-aa07-49f3-8c0c-0c69e5a8d372.pdf</ref> The company operates under the name Walmart in the United States and Canada, as [[Walmart de México y Centroamérica]] in Mexico and Central America, as [[Asda]] in the United Kingdom, as the [[Seiyu Group]] in Japan, and as Best Price in India. It has [[wholly owned]] operations in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Canada.
Walmart is the [[List of companies by revenue|world's largest company by revenue]]—over [[United States dollar|US$]]500 billion, according to [[Fortune Global 500]] list in 2018—as well as the [[List of largest employers|largest private employer]] in the world with 2.3{{nbsp}}million employees. It is a publicly traded [[Family business|family-owned business]], as the company is controlled by the [[Walton family]]. Sam Walton's heirs own over 50{{nbsp}}percent of Walmart through their holding company, Walton Enterprises, and through their individual holdings.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000130817913000238/lwalmart_def14a.htm#_N1576F |work = Wal Mart 2013 Proxy statement |title = Share Ownership |accessdate = April 10, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141012223127/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000130817913000238/lwalmart_def14a.htm#_N1576F |archivedate = October 12, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart was the largest U.S. grocery retailer in 2016, and 62.3{{nbsp}}percent of Walmart's {{US$|478.614{{nbsp}}billion|link=yes}} sales came from U.S. operations.<ref name="2016 Annual Report Page 20" />
The company was listed on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] in 1972. By 1988, Walmart was the most profitable retailer in the U.S.,<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/28/business/company-news-wal-mart-net-jumps-by-31.8.html |work = The New York Times |first = Thomas C. |last = Hayes |title = Company News; Wal-Mart Net Jumps By 31.8% |date = February 28, 1990 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150723112604/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/28/business/company-news-wal-mart-net-jumps-by-31.8.html |archivedate = July 23, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> and by October 1989, it had become the largest in terms of revenue.<ref>[http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-02-15/business/9101080852_1_wal-mart-stores-supercenter-stores-hypermart-usa-units 1990 Sales Lift Wal-mart Into Top Spot – Sun Sentinel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904035126/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-02-15/business/9101080852_1_wal-mart-stores-supercenter-stores-hypermart-usa-units |date=September 4, 2013 }}. Articles.sun-sentinel.com (February 15, 1991). Retrieved on December 6, 2013.</ref> Originally geographically limited to the [[American South|South]] and lower [[American Midwest|Midwest]], by the early 1990s, the company had stores from [[Contiguous United States|coast to coast]]: Sam's Club opened in New Jersey in November 1989 and the first California outlet opened in [[Lancaster, California|Lancaster]] in July 1990. A Walmart in [[York, Pennsylvania]] opened in October 1990: the first main store in the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast]].<ref name="Warner 90">{{cite news |title = A New Battle On The Eastern Front Rivals Are Bracing As Wal-mart Today Opens The First Of Nine Stores Planned For Pennsylvania And New Jersey |last1 = Warner |first1 = Susan |url = http://articles.philly.com/1990-10-01/business/25890945_1_wal-mart-stores-sam-walton-wal-mart-today |newspaper = [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date = October 1, 1990 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160618103947/http://articles.philly.com/1990-10-01/business/25890945_1_wal-mart-stores-sam-walton-wal-mart-today |archivedate = June 18, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Walmart's investments outside North America have seen mixed results: its operations in the United Kingdom, South America, and China are highly successful, whereas ventures in Germany and South Korea failed.
== History ==
{{Main|History of Walmart}}
=== 1945–1969: Early history ===
[[File:09-02-06-OriginalWaltons.jpg|thumb|Sam Walton's original Walton's [[Five and dime|Five and Dime]] store in [[Bentonville, Arkansas|Bentonville]], [[Arkansas]], now serving as The Walmart Museum|alt=Picture of Sam Walton's original Five and Dime store in Bentonville, Arkansas, now serving as The Walmart Museum.]]
In 1945, businessman and former [[J. C. Penney]] employee [[Sam Walton]] bought a branch of the [[Ben Franklin (company)|Ben Franklin]] stores from the [[Butler Brothers]].<ref name="madeinamerica">{{cite book |author = Walton, Sam |author2 = Huey, John |title = Sam Walton: Made in America: My Story |place = [[New York City|New York]] |publisher = [[Bantam Books|Bantam]] |year = 1993 |isbn = 978-0-553-56283-5 }}</ref> His primary focus was selling products at low prices to get higher-volume sales at a lower [[profit margin]], portraying it as a crusade for the consumer. He experienced setbacks because the lease price and branch purchase were unusually high, but he was able to find lower-cost suppliers than those used by other stores and was consequently able to undercut his competitors on pricing.<ref name="a">{{cite web |url = http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/2375.html |title = Sam Walton: Great From the Start – HBS Working Knowledge |author = Richard S. Tedlow |date = July 23, 2001 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606044751/http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/2375.html |archivedate = June 6, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Sales increased 45% in his first year of ownership to {{US$|105,000}} in revenue, which increased to $140,000 the next year and $175,000 the year after that. Within the fifth year, the store was generating $250,000 in revenue. When the lease for the location expired, Walton was unable to reach an agreement for renewal, so he opened up a new store at 105 N. Main Street in Bentonville, naming it "Walton's Five and Dime".<ref name="a" /><ref name="BriefHistory">{{cite news |author = Frank, T.A. |url = http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13796 |title = A Brief History of Wal-Mart |work = [[Washington Monthly]] |date = April 1, 2006 |accessdate = July 24, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060721005501/http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13796 |archivedate = July 21, 2006 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> That store is now the Walmart Museum.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/history/the-walmart-museum |title = The Walmart Museum |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150204210648/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/history/the-walmart-museum |archivedate = February 4, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
[[File:Walmartlogo1.png|thumbnail|right|Original logo, 1962{{ndash}}1964]]
On July 2, 1962, Walton opened the first Walmart Discount City store at 719{{nbsp}}W. Walnut Street in [[Rogers, Arkansas]]. The building is now occupied by a hardware store and an antique mall, while the company's "Store #1" has since relocated to a larger discount store and now expanded to a Supercenter several blocks west at 2110 W. Walnut Street. Within its first five years, the company expanded to 24{{nbsp}}stores across [[Arkansas]] and reached {{US$|12.6{{nbsp}}million}} in sales.<ref name="discountcity">{{cite web |url = https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/transform/cron.html |title = The Rise of Walmart |work = [[Frontline (U.S. TV series)|Frontline]]: Is Wal-Mart Good for America? |date = November 16, 2004 |accessdate = September 19, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930063957/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/transform/cron.html |archivedate = September 30, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 1968, it opened its first stores outside Arkansas, in [[Sikeston, Missouri]] and [[Claremore, Oklahoma]].<ref name="timeline">{{cite web |url = http://www.walmartfacts.com/content/default.aspx?id=3 |title = The Wal-Mart Timeline |publisher = Wal-Mart |accessdate = July 24, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060719071543/http://www.walmartfacts.com/content/default.aspx?id=3 |archivedate = July 19, 2006 }}</ref>
=== 1969–1990: Incorporation and growth as a regional power ===
[[File:Walmartlogo2.png|thumbnail|right|Logo used 1964{{ndash}}1981]]
[[File:Wal-Mart logo.png|thumb|Logo used 1981{{ndash}}1992]]
The company was [[Incorporation (business)|incorporated]] as '''Wal-Mart, Inc.''' on October 31, 1969, and changed its name to '''Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.''' in 1970. The same year, the company opened a home office and first distribution center in [[Bentonville, Arkansas|Bentonville]], [[Arkansas]]. It had 38{{nbsp}}stores operating with 1,500 employees and sales of $44.2{{nbsp}}million. It began trading stock as a [[Public company|publicly held company]] on October 1, 1970, and was soon listed on the [[New York Stock Exchange]]. The first [[stock split]] occurred in May 1971 at a price of $47 per share. By this time, Walmart was operating in five states: Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma; it entered Tennessee in 1973 and Kentucky and Mississippi in 1974. As the company moved into Texas in 1975, there were 125{{nbsp}}stores with 7,500 employees and total sales of $340.3{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="timeline" />
In the 1980s, Walmart continued to grow rapidly, and by the company's 25th anniversary in 1987, there were 1,198 stores with sales of $15.9{{nbsp}}billion and 200,000 associates.<ref name="timeline" /> This year also marked the completion of the company's satellite network, a $24{{nbsp}}million investment linking all operating units with the Bentonville office via two-way voice and data transmission and one-way video communication. At the time, the company was the largest private satellite network, allowing the corporate office to track inventory and sales and to instantly communicate to stores.<ref name="satellite">{{cite web |author = Ranade, Sudhanshu |url = http://www.blonnet.com/2005/07/17/stories/2005071700141600.htm |title = Satellite Adds Speed to Wal-Mart |work = [[The Hindu Business Line]] |date = July 17, 2005 |accessdate = July 24, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927012640/http://www.blonnet.com/2005/07/17/stories/2005071700141600.htm |archivedate = September 27, 2007 }}</ref> In 1988, Walton stepped down as CEO and was replaced by [[David Glass (businessman)|David Glass]].<ref name="LA Times 88">{{cite news |title = David Glass Named CEO of Wal-Mart Inc. |url = http://articles.latimes.com/1988-02-02/business/fi-40122_1_david-glass |newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]] |date = February 2, 1988 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306204802/http://articles.latimes.com/1988-02-02/business/fi-40122_1_david-glass |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walton remained as Chairman of the Board.
With the contribution of its superstores, the company surpassed [[Toys "R" Us]] in toy sales in the late 1990s.{{Specify|reason=Any specific year?|date=December 2017}}<ref name="Byrnes 04">{{cite news |title = Toys 'R' Us: Beaten at its own game |last1 = Byrnes |first1 = Nanette |last2 = Eidam |first2 = Michael |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2004-03-28/toys-r-us-beaten-at-its-own-game |magazine = [[Bloomberg Businessweek|BusinessWeek]] |date = March 29, 2004 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306074659/http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2004-03-28/toys-r-us-beaten-at-its-own-game |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== 1990–2005: Retail rise to multinational status ===
[[File:Wal-Mart logo.svg|thumbnail|right|Logo used 1992{{ndash}}2008]]
While it was the third-largest retailer in the United States, Walmart was more profitable than rivals [[Kmart]] and [[Sears]] by the late 1980s. By 1990, it became the largest U.S. retailer by revenue.<ref name="Hayes 90">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart Net Jumps By 31.8% |last1 = Hayes |first1 = Thomas C. |last2 = |first2 = |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/28/business/company-news-wal-mart-net-jumps-by-31.8.html |newspaper = [[The New York Times]] |date = February 28, 1990 |accessdate = July 21, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150723112604/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/28/business/company-news-wal-mart-net-jumps-by-31.8.html |archivedate = July 23, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Prior to the summer of 1990, Walmart had no presence on the West Coast or in the Northeast (except for a single Sam's Club in New Jersey which opened in November 1989), but in July and October that year, it opened its first stores in [[California]] and [[Pennsylvania]], respectively. By the mid-1990s, it was far and away the most powerful retailer in the U.S. and expanded into Mexico in 1991 and Canada in 1994.<ref>Jacques, Peter. (January 1, 1970) [https://www.academia.edu/169368/Wal-Mart_or_World-Mart_A_Teaching_Case_Study Wal-Mart or World-Mart? A Teaching Case Study | Peter Jacques] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101212019/http://www.academia.edu/169368/Wal-Mart_or_World-Mart_A_Teaching_Case_Study |date=January 1, 2016 }}. Academia.edu. Retrieved on December 6, 2013.</ref> Walmart stores opened throughout the rest of the U.S., with Vermont being the last state to get a store in 1995.<ref name="PBS04">{{cite news |title = Timeline: An Overview of Wal-Mart |last1 = |first1 = |last2 = |first2 = |url = https://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/business-july-dec04-timeline_08-20/ |agency = [[PBS]] |date = August 20, 2004 |accessdate = July 21, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141226212519/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/business-july-dec04-timeline_08-20/ |archivedate = December 26, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
The company also opened stores outside North America, entering South America in 1995 with stores in Argentina and Brazil; and Europe in July 1999, buying [[Asda]] in the United Kingdom for {{US$|10{{nbsp}}billion}}.<ref name="IHT">{{cite web |author = Buerkle, Tom |url = http://www.iht.com/articles/1999/06/15/walmart.2.t.php |title = $10 Billion Gamble in U.K. Doubles Its International Business: Wal-Mart Takes Big Leap into Europe |work = International Herald Tribune |date = June 15, 1999 |accessdate = April 19, 2007 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080226063515/http://www.iht.com/articles/1999/06/15/walmart.2.t.php |archivedate = February 26, 2008 }}</ref>
In 1998, Walmart introduced the Neighborhood Market concept with three stores in Arkansas.<ref name="grocerybiz">{{cite web |url = http://www.mystore411.com/store/list_state/5/Arkansas/Wal-Mart-Neighborhood-Market-store-locations |title = Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market Locations in Arkansas |accessdate = December 8, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117025424/http://www.mystore411.com/store/list_state/5/Arkansas/Wal-Mart-Neighborhood-Market-store-locations |archivedate = January 17, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> By 2005, estimates indicate that the company controlled about 20 percent of the retail grocery and consumables business.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://grist.org/series/2011-11-07-walmart-greenwash-retail-giant-still-unsustainable/ |title = WALMART'S GREENWASH: WHY THE RETAIL GIANT IS STILL UNSUSTAINABLE |publisher = Grist.org |date = November 7, 2012 |accessdate = December 7, 2012 |author = Mitchell, Stacy |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CkUoUYqU?url=http://grist.org/series/2011-11-07-walmart-greenwash-retail-giant-still-unsustainable/ |archivedate = December 8, 2012 }}</ref>
In 2000, [[Lee Scott (businessman)|H. Lee Scott]] became Walmart's President and CEO as the company's sales increased to $165{{nbsp}}billion.<ref name="2000sales">{{cite web |url = http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/11/112761/ARs/2000_annualreport.pdf |title = Walmart Annual Report 2000 |format = PDF |accessdate = December 8, 2012 |page = 18 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117025419/http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/11/112761/ARs/2000_annualreport.pdf |archivedate = January 17, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2002, it was listed for the first time as America's largest corporation on the [[Fortune 500]] list, with revenues of $219.8{{nbsp}}billion and profits of $6.7{{nbsp}}billion. It has remained there every year except 2006, 2009, and 2012.<ref name="2007-Fortune-500">{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/full_list/index.html |title = Fortune 500 2007 |publisher = ''Fortune'' |date = April 16, 2007 |accessdate = July 15, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070614021659/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/full_list/index.html |archivedate = June 14, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="2006-Fortune-500">{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2006/full_list/index.html |title = Fortune 500 2006 |publisher = ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' |date = April 17, 2006 |accessdate = July 15, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070705171748/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2006/full_list/index.html |archivedate = July 5, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2008/full_list/index.html |title = Fortune 500 2008 |publisher = ''Fortune'' |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140410131336/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2008/full_list/index.html |archivedate = April 10, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2009/full_list/index.html |title = Fortune 500 2009 |publisher = ''Fortune'' |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140410131332/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2009/full_list/index.html |archivedate = April 10, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2010/full_list/index.html |title = Fortune 500 2010 |publisher = ''Fortune'' |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140329131542/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2010/full_list/index.html |archivedate = March 29, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2011/full_list/index.html |title = Fortune 500 2011 |publisher = ''Fortune'' |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140329130655/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2011/full_list/index.html |archivedate = March 29, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url = http://fortune.com/fortune500/2012/ |title = Fortune 500 2012 |date = May 9, 2014 |work = Fortune |access-date = October 25, 2017 |language = en-US |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170909134510/http://fortune.com/fortune500/2012/ |archivedate = September 9, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url = http://fortune.com/fortune500/2013/ |title = Fortune 500 2013 |date = May 22, 2014 |work = Fortune |access-date = October 25, 2017 |language = en-US |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170831000038/http://fortune.com/fortune500/2013/ |archivedate = August 31, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url = http://fortune.com/fortune500/2014/ |title = Fortune 500 2014 |date = June 2, 2014 |work = Fortune |access-date = October 25, 2017 |language = en-US |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170703203948/http://fortune.com/fortune500/2014/ |archivedate = July 3, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://fortune.com/fortune500/2015/ |title = Fortune 500 2015 |website = Fortune |language = en-US |access-date = October 25, 2017 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20171024150735/http://fortune.com/fortune500/2015/ |archivedate = October 24, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://fortune.com/fortune500/2016/ |title = Fortune 500 |website = Fortune |language = en-US |access-date = October 25, 2017 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20171020024947/http://fortune.com/fortune500/2016/ |archivedate = October 20, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In 2005, Walmart reported {{US$|312.4{{nbsp}}billion}} in sales, more than 6,200 facilities around the world—including 3,800 stores in the United States and 2,800 elsewhere, employing more than 1.6{{nbsp}}million associates. Its U.S. presence grew so rapidly that only small pockets of the country remained more than {{convert|60|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} from the nearest store.<ref>{{cite conference |first = Matthew |last = Zook |author2 = Graham, Mark |editor-first = Stanley D. |editor-last = Brunn |title = Wal-Mart Nation: Mapping the Reach of a Retail Colossus |booktitle = Wal-Mart World: The World's Biggest Corporation in the Global Economy |pages = 15–25 |publisher = Routledge |year = 2006 |isbn = 978-0-415-95137-1 }}</ref>
As Walmart rapidly expanded into the world's largest corporation, many critics worried about its effect on local communities, particularly small towns with many "[[Small business|mom and pop]]" stores. There have been several studies on the economic impact of Walmart on small towns and local businesses, jobs, and taxpayers. In one, Kenneth Stone, a professor of economics at [[Iowa State University]], found that some small towns can lose almost half of their retail trade within ten years of a Walmart store opening.<ref name="Rural">Stone, Kenneth E. (1997). "[http://www.econ.iastate.edu/faculty/stone/10yrstudy.pdf Impact of the Wal-Mart Phenomenon on Rural Communities] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120110527/http://www2.econ.iastate.edu/faculty/stone/10yrstudy.pdf |date=January 20, 2016 }}". (Published in ''Proceedings: Increased Understanding of Public Problems and Policies – 1997''. [[Chicago]], Illinois: Farm Foundation). ''[[Iowa State University]]''. Retrieved August 4, 2006.</ref> However, in another study, he compared the changes to what small town shops had faced in the past—including the development of the railroads, the advent of the Sears Roebuck catalog, and the arrival of shopping malls—and concluded that shop owners who adapt to changes in the retail market can thrive after Walmart arrives.<ref name="Rural" /> A later study in collaboration with [[Mississippi State University]] showed that there are "both positive and negative impacts on existing stores in the area where the new supercenter locates."<ref name="Stone Artz Myles">{{cite web |url = http://www2.econ.iastate.edu/faculty/stone/MSsupercenterstudy.pdf |title = The economic impact of Wal-Mart Supercenters on existing businesses in Mississippi |author = Kenneth E. Stone, Georgeanne Artz and Albert Myles |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160618031634/http://www2.econ.iastate.edu/faculty/stone/MSsupercenterstudy.pdf |archivedate = June 18, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In the aftermath of [[Hurricane Katrina]] in September 2005, Walmart used its logistics network to organize a rapid response to the disaster, donating $20{{nbsp}}million, 1,500 truckloads of merchandise, food for 100,000 meals, and the promise of a job for every one of its displaced workers.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/05/AR2005090501598.html |title = Wal-Mart at Forefront of Hurricane Relief |date = September 6, 2005 |work = The Washington Post |accessdate = March 10, 2009 |author = Barbaro, Michael |author2 = Gillis, Justin |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090604185015/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/05/AR2005090501598.html |archivedate = June 4, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> An independent study by Steven Horwitz of [[St. Lawrence University]] found that Walmart, [[The Home Depot]], and [[Lowe's]] made use of their local knowledge about supply chains, infrastructure, decision makers and other resources to provide emergency supplies and reopen stores well before the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) began its response.<ref name="Kouzes 10">{{cite book |last1 = Kouzes |first1 = James |last2 = Posner |first2 = Barry |others = Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.com |date = July 6, 2010 |title = The Challenge Continues, Participant Workbook: Enable Others to Act |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=C2e7_FkKkJgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false |location = |publisher = [[John Wiley & Sons]] |page = 24 |isbn = 978-0-470-40284-9 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160623200304/https://books.google.com/books?id=C2e7_FkKkJgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false |archivedate = June 23, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> While the company was overall lauded for its quick response amidst [[Criticism of government response to Hurricane Katrina|criticism]] of FEMA, several critics were quick to point out that there still remained issues with the company's labor relations.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/09/news/fortune500/walmart_image/index.htm |title = Wal-Mart redeems itself, but what's next |date = September 9, 2005 |publisher = CNN |accessdate = March 10, 2009 |author = Bhatnagar, Parija |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20091112103847/http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/09/news/fortune500/walmart_image/index.htm |archivedate = November 12, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== 2005–2010: Initiatives ===
[[File:Solar Panels on Caguas, Puerto Rico Walmart.jpg|thumb|Solar modules mounted on a Walmart Supercenter in [[Caguas, Puerto Rico]]|alt=Solar modules mounted on a Walmart Supercenter in Caguas, Puerto Rico]]
==== Environmental initiatives ====
In November 2005, Walmart announced several environmental measures to increase [[efficient energy use|energy efficiency]] and improve its overall environmental record, which had previously been lacking.<ref name="GuntherMark">{{cite news|url=http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/25/news/companies/wal-mart-short.fortune/|title=Wal-Mart sees green|author=Gunther, Mark|date=July 27, 2006|accessdate=November 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822072035/http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/25/news/companies/wal-mart-short.fortune/|archive-date=August 22, 2006|publisher=CNN}}</ref> The company's primary goals included spending $500 million a year to increase fuel efficiency in Walmart's truck fleet by 25 percent over three years and double it within ten; reduce [[greenhouse gas]] emissions by 20 percent in seven years; reduce energy use at stores by 30 percent; and cut solid waste from U.S. stores and Sam's Clubs by 25 percent in three years. CEO Lee Scott said that Walmart's goal was to be a "good steward of the environment" and ultimately use only [[renewable energy]] sources and produce zero waste.<ref name="going_green">{{cite news |url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9815727/ |title = Is Wal-Mart Going Green? |publisher = [[MSNBC]] |date = October 25, 2005 |accessdate = November 8, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071117012705/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9815727/ |archivedate = November 17, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The company also designed three new experimental stores with [[wind turbine]]s, [[photovoltaic]] solar panels, [[biofuel]]-capable boilers, water-cooled refrigerators, and [[xeriscaping|xeriscape]] gardens.<ref>{{cite news |author = Berner, Robert |url = http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2005/nf20050922_6448_db016.htm |title = Can Wal-Mart Wear a White Hat? |work = BusinessWeek |date = September 22, 2005 |accessdate = July 24, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060503192520/http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2005/nf20050922_6448_db016.htm |archivedate = May 3, 2006 }}</ref> In this time, Walmart also became the biggest seller of organic milk and the biggest buyer of organic cotton in the world, while reducing packaging and energy costs.<ref name="GuntherMark" /> In 2007, the company worked with outside consultants to discover its total environmental impact and find areas for improvement. Walmart created its own [[electric power industry|electric company]] in Texas, Texas Retail Energy, planned to supply its stores with cheap power purchased at wholesale prices. Through this new venture, the company expected to save $15 million annually and also to lay the groundwork and infrastructure to sell electricity to Texas consumers in the future.<ref name="redorbit_electricity">{{cite web|url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/817594/will_walmart_sell_electricity_one_day/index.html|title=Will Wal-Mart Sell Electricity One Day?|author=Souder, Elizabeth|date=January 28, 2007|publisher=RedOrbit|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623203730/http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/817594/will_walmart_sell_electricity_one_day/index.html|archivedate=June 23, 2008|deadurl=no|accessdate=March 31, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
==== Branding and store design changes ====
In 2006, Walmart announced that it would remodel its U.S. stores to help it appeal to a wider variety of demographics, including more affluent shoppers. As part of the initiative, the company launched a new store in Plano, Texas that included high-end electronics, jewelry, expensive wines and a sushi bar.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/14714027/ns/business-us_business/t/wal-mart-drop-one-size-fits-all-approach/#.W1c9sdhKhTY|title=Wal-Mart to drop one-size-fits-all approach|date=2006-09-07|work=msnbc.com|access-date=2018-07-24|language=en}}</ref>
On September 12, 2007, Walmart introduced new advertising with the [[slogan]], "''Save money. Live better.''", replacing "''Always Low Prices, Always''", which it had used for the previous 19 years. [[Global Insight]], which conducted the research that supported the ads, found that Walmart's [[price level]] reduction resulted in savings for consumers of $287 billion in 2006, which equated to $957 per person or $2,500 per household (up 7.3 percent from the 2004 savings estimate of $2,329).<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/09/12/us-walmart-advertising-idUSWEN091820070912 |title = Wal-Mart rolling out new company slogan |publisher = Reuters |date = September 12, 2007 |accessdate = December 7, 2012 |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CkWuovb7?url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/09/12/us-walmart-advertising-idUSWEN091820070912 |archivedate = December 8, 2012 }}</ref>
On June 30, 2008, Walmart removed the hyphen from its logo and replaced the star with a ''Spark'' symbol that resembles a sunburst, flower, or star. The new logo received mixed reviews from design critics who questioned whether the new logo was as bold as those of competitors, such as the [[Target Corporation|Target]] bullseye, or as instantly recognizable as the previous company logo, which was used for 18 years.<ref>{{cite web |last = Armin |title = Less Hyphen, More Burst for Walmart |url = http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/less_hyphen_more_burst_for_wal.php |work = Brand New |publisher = UnderConsideration LLC |accessdate = August 9, 2010 |date = June 30, 2008 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100211143200/http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/less_hyphen_more_burst_for_wal.php |archivedate = February 11, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The new logo made its debut on the company's website on July 1, 2008, and its U.S. locations updated store logos in the fall of 2008.<ref name="new_logo">{{cite news |url = http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jul2008/id2008072_324653.htm |title = Wal-Mart Gets a Facelift |last = Jana |first = Reena |date = July 2, 2008 |work = BusinessWeek |accessdate = July 7, 2008 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080706161254/http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jul2008/id2008072_324653.htm |archivedate = July 6, 2008 |df = }}</ref> Walmart Canada started to adopt the logo for its stores in early 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.domain-b.com/industry/Retail/20090214_walmart.html |title = Walmart Canada changes logo, slashes prices |accessdate = December 7, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121102005404/http://domain-b.com/industry/Retail/20090214_walmart.html |archivedate = November 2, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
==== Acquisitions and employee benefits ====
On March 20, 2009, Walmart announced that it was paying a combined {{US$|933.6{{nbsp}}million}} in bonuses to every full and part-time hourly worker.<ref>{{cite news |last = |first = |date = March 20, 2009 |title = Wal-Mart gives $933 mn bonus to workers |url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-03-20/news/28454766_1_wal-mart-chief-executive-mike-duke-wal-mart-stores |newspaper = The Economic Times |location = New York City |publisher = Bennett, Coleman & Co. |accessdate = August 14, 2014 }}</ref> This was in addition to $788.8 million in [[profit sharing]], [[401(k)]] pension contributions, hundreds of millions of dollars in merchandise discounts, and contributions to the employees' stock purchase plan.<ref name="Maestri 09">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart awards $2 billion to U.S. hourly employees |last1 = Maestri |first1 = Nicole |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-walmart-bonus-idUSTRE52I4PS20090319 |agency = [[Reuters]] |date = March 19, 2009 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023532/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-walmart-bonus-idUSTRE52I4PS20090319 |archivedate = March 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> While the economy at large was in an ongoing [[recession]], Walmart reported solid financial figures for the most recent fiscal year (ending January 31, 2009), with $401.2{{nbsp}}billion in net sales, a gain of 7.2{{nbsp}}percent from the prior year. Income from continuing operations increased 3{{nbsp}}percent to $13.3{{nbsp}}billion, and earnings per share rose 6{{nbsp}}percent to $3.35.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.marketwatch.com/story/updates-advisories-and-surprises-200512020190 |title = Updates, advisories and surprises |date = January 20, 2005 |work = The Wall Street Journal |accessdate = December 20, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130120075628/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/updates-advisories-and-surprises-200512020190 |archivedate = January 20, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
On February 22, 2010, the company confirmed it was acquiring [[streaming media|video streaming]] company [[Vudu, Inc.]] for an estimated $100{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704454304575082010734950440.html |title = Walmart Re-Enters Digital Downloading of Movies With Purchase of Vudu |publisher = ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' |date = February 22, 2010 |first = Miguel |last = Bustillo |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511065803/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704454304575082010734950440.html |archivedate = May 11, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== 2011–present: Continued developments ===
[[File:Walmart’s Grease Fuel Truck.jpg|thumb|upright=1.36|Truck converted to run on biofuel|alt=]]
Walmart's truck fleet logs millions of miles each year, and the company planned to double the fleet's efficiency between 2005 and 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last = Nishimoto |first = Alex |title = Walmart Debuts Turbine-Powered WAVE Semi Truck Prototype |publisher = Motor Trend |date = March 10, 2014 |url = http://wot.motortrend.com/1403_walmart_debuts_turbine_powered_wave_semi_truck_prototype.html |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140415043134/http://wot.motortrend.com/1403_walmart_debuts_turbine_powered_wave_semi_truck_prototype.html |archivedate = April 15, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The truck pictured on the right is one of 15 based at Walmart's [[Buckeye, Arizona]], distribution center that was converted to run on [[biofuel]] from reclaimed cooking grease made during food preparation at Walmart stores.<ref>{{cite web |title = Wal-Mart To Test Hybrid Trucks |publisher = Sustainable Business |date = February 3, 2009 |url = https://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/17599 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140508095041/https://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/17599 |archivedate = May 8, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In January 2011, Walmart announced a program to improve the nutritional value of its store brands over five years, gradually reducing the amount of salt and sugar and completely eliminating [[trans fat]]. Walmart also promised to negotiate with suppliers with respect to nutritional issues, reduce prices for whole foods and vegetables, and open stores in low-income areas, so-called "[[food desert]]s", where there are no supermarkets.<ref>{{cite news |title = Walmart Shifts Strategy to Promote Healthy Foods |author = Sheryl Gay Stolberg |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/business/20walmart.html |newspaper = The New York Times |date = January 20, 2011 |accessdate = January 19, 2011 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110120062857/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/business/20walmart.html |archivedate = January 20, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> On April 23, 2011, the company announced that it was testing its new "Walmart To Go" home delivery system where customers will be able to order specific items offered on their website. The initial test was in [[San Jose, California]], and the company has not yet said whether the delivery system will be rolled out nationwide.<ref name="Reuters 11">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart tests online grocery delivery in California |url = http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/23/business/la-fi-walmart-groceries-20110423 |newspaper = Los Angeles Times |date = April 23, 2016 |accessdate = March 7, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160603041248/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/23/business/la-fi-walmart-groceries-20110423 |archivedate = June 3, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
On November 14, 2012, Walmart launched its first mail subscription service called Goodies. Customers pay a $7 monthly subscription for five to eight delivered food samples each month, so they can try new foods.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2012/11/14/wal-mart-food-subscription/1703481/ |title = Wal-Mart launches food subscription service |work = USA Today |accessdate = November 14, 2012 |date = November 14, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121114134458/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2012/11/14/wal-mart-food-subscription/1703481/ |archivedate = November 14, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In August 2013, the firm announced it was in talks to acquire a majority stake in the [[Kenya]]-based supermarket chain, [[Naivas]].<ref>{{Citation |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/13/us-kenya-naivas-idUSBRE97C0UA20130813 |title = Wal-Mart unit seeks stake in Kenyan supermarket Naivas |publisher = Reuters |publication-place = International |date = August 13, 2013 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924183753/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/13/us-kenya-naivas-idUSBRE97C0UA20130813 |archivedate = September 24, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In June 2014, some Walmart employees went on strike in major U.S. cities demanding higher wages.<ref name="CNNMoney Walmart 2014-06-04">{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/04/news/companies/walmart-strike-day/ |title = Wal-Mart workers strike in major cities |last = Sheridan |first = Patrick M. |work = CNN Money |publisher = CNN |date = June 4, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6VsWPvLMG?url=http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/04/news/companies/walmart-strike-day/ |archivedate = January 26, 2015 |accessdate = January 26, 2015 |quote = How can you save money if you're not making enough money? }}</ref> In July 2014, American actor and comedian [[Tracy Morgan]] launched a lawsuit against Walmart seeking punitive damages over a multi-car pile-up which the suit alleges was caused by the driver of one of the firm's tractor-trailers who had not slept for 24 hours. Morgan's limousine was apparently hit by the trailer, injuring him and two fellow passengers and killing a fourth, fellow comedian James McNair.<ref name="MorganWalmart">{{cite news |title = Tracy Morgan sues Walmart over New Jersey turnpike crash |url = http://www.newyorkstatesman.com/index.php/sid/223750105/scat/3a8a80d6f705f8cc/ht/Tracy-Morgan-sues-Walmart-over-New-Jersey-turnpike-crash |accessdate = July 13, 2014 |publisher = ''New York Statesman'' |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714234430/http://www.newyorkstatesman.com/index.php/sid/223750105/scat/3a8a80d6f705f8cc/ht/Tracy-Morgan-sues-Walmart-over-New-Jersey-turnpike-crash |archivedate = July 14, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart settled with the McNair family for $10 million, while admitting no liability.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = McCarthy |first1 = Craig |title = Walmart paid out $10M to family of comedian killed in Tracy Morgan crash, reports say |url = http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/03/walmart_paid_out_10m_to_family_of_comedian_killed_in_tracy_morgan_crash_reports_say.html |accessdate = July 18, 2016 |publisher = NJ.com |date = March 20, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160916204553/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/03/walmart_paid_out_10m_to_family_of_comedian_killed_in_tracy_morgan_crash_reports_say.html |archivedate = September 16, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Morgan and Walmart reached a settlement in 2015 for an undisclosed amount,<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Griffith |first1 = Janelle |last2 = Zambito |first2 = Thomas |title = Tracy Morgan, Wal-Mart reach settlement in lawsuit regarding NJ Turnpike accident |url = http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/05/tracy_morgan_walmart_reach_settlement_of_lawsuit.html |accessdate = July 18, 2016 |publisher = NJ.com |date = August 7, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160916204620/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/05/tracy_morgan_walmart_reach_settlement_of_lawsuit.html |archivedate = September 16, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> though Walmart later accused its insurers of "bad faith" in refusing to pay the settlement.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Sherman |first1 = Ted |title = Wal-Mart insurers accused of 'bad faith' in Tracy Morgan case |url = http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/10/wal-mart_insurers_accused_of_bad_faith_in_tracy_mo.html |accessdate = July 18, 2016 |publisher = NJ.com |date = October 14, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160917031209/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/10/wal-mart_insurers_accused_of_bad_faith_in_tracy_mo.html |archivedate = September 17, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In 2015, the company closed five stores on short notice for plumbing repairs.<ref>{{cite web |author = |url = http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/wal-mart-workers-allege-layoffs-store-closings-were-retaliatory/ar-AAbnLyu?ocid=mailsignout |title = Wal-Mart workers allege layoffs, store closings were retaliatory |publisher = Msn.com |date = |accessdate = April 24, 2015 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150422190855/http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/wal-mart-workers-allege-layoffs-store-closings-were-retaliatory/ar-AAbnLyu?ocid=mailsignout |archivedate = April 22, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> However, employees and the [[United Food and Commercial Workers International Union]] (UFCW) alleged some stores were closed in retaliation for strikes aimed at increasing wages and improving working conditions.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Zillman |first1 = Claire |title = Wal-Mart workers: Store closings due to plumbing are 'retaliatory' |url = http://fortune.com/2015/04/20/walmart-store-closings-plumbing/ |accessdate = July 27, 2016 |publisher = Forbes |date = April 20, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160315131607/http://fortune.com/2015/04/20/walmart-store-closings-plumbing/ |archivedate = March 15, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The UFCW filed a complaint with the [[National Labor Relations Board]]. All five stores have since reopened.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Halkias |first1 = Maria |title = Wal-Mart to reopen 5 stores closed for plumbing issues that became a labor dispute |url = http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2015/09/wal-mart-to-reopen-5-stores-closed-for-plumbing-issues-that-became-a-labor-dispute.html/ |accessdate = July 27, 2016 |publisher = Dallas Morning News |date = September 3, 2015 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160811213623/http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2015/09/wal-mart-to-reopen-5-stores-closed-for-plumbing-issues-that-became-a-labor-dispute.html/ |archivedate = August 11, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> On October 14, 2015, Walmart saw its stock fall 10 percent.<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Verhage |first1 = Julie |title = Wal-Mart's Stock Got Crushed and Wall Street Has a Few Things to Say About It |url = https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wal-marts-stock-got-crushed-100949269.html |website = Yahoo! Finance |publisher = Yahoo! |accessdate = October 15, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151015205504/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wal-marts-stock-got-crushed-100949269.html |archive-date = October 15, 2015 }}</ref> In 2015, Walmart was the biggest US commercial producer of [[solar power]] with 142 [[megawatt|MW]] [[nameplate capacity|capacity]], and had 17 [[energy storage]] projects.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/walmart-corporate-solar-deployments-storage-batteries |title = Wal-Mart Leads the Nation in Corporate Solar Deployments. What Will It Do With Storage? |publisher = |accessdate = October 17, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161016061103/http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/walmart-corporate-solar-deployments-storage-batteries |archivedate = October 16, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-means-business-2015-top-us-corporate-solar-users |title = Solar Means Business 2015: Top U.S. Corporate Solar Users |work = SEIA |accessdate = October 17, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161018215019/http://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-means-business-2015-top-us-corporate-solar-users |archivedate = October 18, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> This solar was primarily on rooftops, whereas there is an additional 20,000 m<sup>2</sup> for solar canopies over parking lots.<ref>Krishnan, R., et al. [https://www.academia.edu/33535233/Technical_Solar_Photovoltaic_Potential_of_Scaled_Parking_Lot_Canopies_A_Case_Study_of_Walmart_U.S.A Technical Solar Photovoltaic Potential of Scaled Parking Lot Canopies- A Case Study of Walmart U.S.A.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030055646/http://www.academia.edu/33535233/Technical_Solar_Photovoltaic_Potential_of_Scaled_Parking_Lot_Canopies_A_Case_Study_of_Walmart_U.S.A |date=October 30, 2017 }} ''RISUS – Journal on Innovation and Sustainability'' '''8'''(2) – 2017.</ref>
On January 15, 2016, Walmart announced it would close 269 stores in 2016, affecting 16,000 workers.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/15/news/companies/walmart-store-closings/index.html |title = Walmart will close 269 stores this year, affecting 16,000 workers |publisher = CNN.com |date = January 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160118041646/http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/15/news/companies/walmart-store-closings/index.html |archivedate = January 18, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> One hundred and fifty-four of these stores earmarked for closure were in the U.S. (150 Walmart U.S. stores, 115 Walmart International stores, and 4{{nbsp}}Sam's Clubs). Ninety-five percent of these U.S. stores were located, on average, 10 miles from another Walmart store.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title = Walmart Closing 269 Stores; To Exit Walmart Express – CoStar Group |url = http://www.costar.com/News/Article/Walmart-Closing-269-Stores;-To-Exit-Walmart-Express/178903 |website = www.costar.com |access-date = January 17, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160117035627/http://www.costar.com/News/Article/Walmart-Closing-269-Stores;-To-Exit-Walmart-Express/178903 |archivedate = January 17, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The 269 stores represented less than 1{{nbsp}}percent of global square footage and revenue for the company. All 102 locations of Walmart Express, which had been in a pilot program since 2011, were included in the closures. Walmart planned to focus on "strengthening Supercenters, optimizing Neighborhood Markets, growing the e-commerce business and expanding pickup services for customers". In fiscal 2017, the company plans to open between 50 and 60 Supercenters, 85 to 95 Neighborhood Markets, 7 to 10 Sam's Clubs, and 200 to 240 international locations.<ref name=":0" /> At the end of fiscal 2016, Walmart opened 38 Supercenters and relocated, expanded or converted 21 discount stores into Supercenters, for a total of 59 Supercenters, and opened 69 Neighborhood Markets, 8 Sam's Clubs, and 173 international locations, and relocated, expanded or converted 4 locations for a total of 177 international locations. On August 8, 2016, Walmart announced a deal to acquire e-commerce website Jet.com for US$3.3 billion<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/08/08/walmart-acquires-jetcom-for-3-billion/88386988/ |title = Why Walmart is spending $3B for online seller Jet.com |work = [[USA Today]] |author = Hadley Malcolm |date = August 8, 2016 |accessdate = October 6, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161010053719/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/08/08/walmart-acquires-jetcom-for-3-billion/88386988/ |archivedate = October 10, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.recode.net/2016/8/7/12395114/walmart-jet-acquisition-3-billion-price |title = Walmart is buying Jet.com for $3 billion |last = Rey |first = Jason Del |date = August 8, 2016 |website = Recode |access-date = August 8, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160808221507/http://www.recode.net/2016/8/7/12395114/walmart-jet-acquisition-3-billion-price |archivedate = August 8, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Jet.com co-founder and [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] [[Marc Lore]] stayed on to run Jet.com in addition to Walmart's existing U.S. e-commerce operation. The acquisition was structured as a payout of $3 billion in cash, and an additional $300 million in Walmart stock vested over time as part of an incentive bonus plan for Jet.com executives.<ref name="Walmart-Inc-Aug-2016-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/1267/0000104169-16-000113.pdf |title=Walmart Inc, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Aug 8, 2016 |publisher=secdatabase.com |accessdate =Apr 23, 2018}}</ref> On October 19, 2016, Walmart announced it would partner with IBM and Tsinghua University to track the pork supply chain in China using blockchain.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.yahoo.com/tech/walmart-and-ibm-will-use-blockchain-to-track-pork-from-china-142530691.html |title = Walmart to team with IBM (IBM) and Tsinghua University to track the pork supply chain in China using blockchain |last = Roberts |first = Daniel |date = October 19, 2016 |access-date = October 20, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161021073245/https://www.yahoo.com/tech/walmart-and-ibm-will-use-blockchain-to-track-pork-from-china-142530691.html |archivedate = October 21, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
On February 15, 2017, Walmart announced the acquisition of Moosejaw, a leading online active outdoor retailer, for approximately $51 million. The acquisition closed on February 13, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://news.walmart.com/_news_/2017/02/15/walmart-announces-the-acquisition-of-moosejaw-a-leading-online-outdoor-retailer |title = Walmart Announces the Acquisition of Moosejaw, a Leading Online Outdoor Retailer |access-date = March 12, 2017 }}</ref> On June 16, 2017, Walmart agreed to acquire the men's apparel company [[Bonobos (apparel)|Bonobos]] for $310 million in an effort to expand its fashion holdings.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/06/16/business/walmart-bonobos-merger.html |title = Walmart to Buy Bonobos, Men's Wear Company, for $310 Million |website = mobile.nytimes.com |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170617084010/https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/06/16/business/walmart-bonobos-merger.html |archivedate = June 17, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> As the deal's announcement coincided with [[Amazon.com|Amazon's]] acquisition of [[Whole Foods Market]], the stock market reacted negatively, with Walmart's holdings on the [[New York Stock Exchange|NYSE]] falling by 6%. On September 29, 2017, Walmart acquired Parcel, a technology-based, same-day and last-mile delivery company in [[Brooklyn]].<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://blog.walmart.com/business/20171003/who-is-parcel-what-this-delivery-company-means-to-walmart |title = Who is Parcel? What This Delivery Company Means to Walmart |website = blog.walmart.com |language = en |access-date = November 6, 2017 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20171107055646/https://blog.walmart.com/business/20171003/who-is-parcel-what-this-delivery-company-means-to-walmart |archivedate = November 7, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The acquisition announcement saw Walmart shares rise more than 1%.<ref>{{Cite news |url = http://thestreet.com/video/14328575/walmart-shares-jump-following-acquisition-leading-dow-higher.html |title = Walmart Shares Jump Following Acquisition, Leading Dow Higher |last = Keitz |first = Anders |date = October 3, 2017 |work = TheStreet |access-date = November 6, 2017 |language = en-US |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20171109033231/https://www.thestreet.com/video/14328575/walmart-shares-jump-following-acquisition-leading-dow-higher.html |archivedate = November 9, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> On December 6, 2017, Walmart announced that it will change its corporate name to Walmart Inc. from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. effective February 1, 2018.<ref name="Walmart-Inc-Dec-2017-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/2571/0000104169-17-000084.pdf |title=Walmart Inc, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Dec 6, 2017 |publisher=secdatabase.com |accessdate =Apr 23, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Walmart Inc">{{Cite web |url = https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/wal-marts-new-name-its-not-just-a-store-anymore/ar-BBGjaxa?li=BBnb7Kz |title = Wal-Mart's New Name: It's Not Just a Store Anymore |website = www.msn.com |access-date = December 6, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171207025508/https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/wal-marts-new-name-its-not-just-a-store-anymore/ar-BBGjaxa?li=BBnb7Kz |archive-date = December 7, 2017 |dead-url = yes |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In March 2018, Walmart announced that it is producing its own brand of [[meal kits]] in all of its stores that is priced under [[Blue Apron]] designed to serve two people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/5/17081466/walmart-meal-kit-in-store-blue-apron-amazon|title=Walmart now makes and sells meal kits in stores|publisher=}}</ref>
It was reported that Walmart is now looking at entering the subscription-video space, hoping to compete with Netflix and Amazon. They have enlisted the help of former Epix CEO, Mark Greenberg, to help develop a low-cost subscription video-streaming service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/walmart-mark-greenberg-streaming-video-subscription-netflix-amazon-1202881274/|title=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/walmart-mark-greenberg-streaming-video-subscription-netflix-amazon-1202881274/|publisher=Variety}}</ref>
In September 2018, Walmart partnered with comedian and talk show host [[Ellen DeGeneres]] to launch a new brand of women's apparel and accessories called EV1.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kratofil |first1=Colleen |title=Ellen DeGeneres' New Fashion Line for Walmart Is Here - and It's All Under $30 |url=https://people.com/style/ellen-degeneres-walmart-clothing-line-ev1/ |website=PEOPLE.com |publisher=Meredith Corporation |accessdate=11 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
=== 2000s crime problem ===
According to an August 2016 report by ''[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]'', aggressive cost-cutting decisions that began in 2000 when Lee Scott took over as CEO of the company led to a significant increase in crime in stores across the United States. These included the removal of the store's famed greeters, which are in part seen as a theft deterrent at exits, the replacement of many cashiers with self-checkout stations, and the addition of stores at a rate that exceeded the hiring of new employees which led to a 19% increase in space per employee from a decade previous. While these decisions succeeded in increasing profits 23% in the decade that followed, it led to an increase in both theft and violent crime.<ref name=":1" />
In 2015 under CEO [[Doug McMillon]], Walmart began a company-wide campaign to reduce crime that included spot-checking receipts at exits, stationing employees at self-checkout areas, eye-level security cameras in high-theft areas, use of data analytics to detect credit fraud, hiring off-duty police and private security officers, and reducing calls to police with a program by which first-time offenders caught stealing merchandise below a certain value can avoid arrest if they agree to go through a theft-prevention program.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-walmart-crime/ |title = Walmart's Out-of-Control Crime Problem is Driving Police Crazy |last = Pettypiece |first = Shannon |magazine = Bloomberg Businessweek |date = August 17, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160818000539/https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-walmart-crime/ |archivedate = August 18, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Law enforcement agencies across the United States have noted a burden on resources created by a disproportionate number of calls from Walmart. Experts have criticized the retailer for shifting its security burden onto the taxpayers. They found that 25% of arrests overall in St. Petersburg, Florida are made at just one Walmart. Across three Florida counties, approximately 9,000 police calls were logged to 53 Walmart stores but resulted in only a few hundred arrests.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.tampabay.com/projects/2016/public-safety/walmart-police/|title=Tampa Bay Walmarts get thousands of police calls leaving taxpayers to pay the bill.|access-date=2018-02-12}}</ref> In [[Granite Falls, North Carolina]], 92% of [[larceny]] calls to local police were from the Walmart store there.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wsoctv.com/news/9-investigates/walmart-has-become-crime-magnet-in-many-north-carolina-cities/695879615|title=Walmart has become crime magnet in many North Carolina cities|last=Faherty|first=Dave|date=2018-02-09|work=WSOC|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US}}</ref> The trend is similar in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Police are called to Walmart stores 3 to 4 times as much as similar retailers such as Target.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/news/crime-and-courts/4303214-analysis-police-called-disproportionately-walmart-stores|title=Analysis: Police called disproportionately to Walmart stores|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en}}</ref> Experts say the chain and its razor thin profit margins rely heavily on police to protect its bottom line. Walmart Supercenters top the list of those most visited by police.<ref name=":2" />
In addition to hundreds of thousands of petty crimes, more than 200 violent crimes, including attempted kidnappings, stabbings, shootings, and murders occurred at the 4,500 Walmarts in the U.S. in 2016.<ref name=":1" />
== Operating divisions ==
{{See also|List of assets owned by Walmart}}
[[File:Walmart footprint.png|thumb|Map of Walmart stores in the U.S., {{As of|2010|August|df=US|lc=y}}|alt=]]
Walmart's operations are organized into four divisions: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, [[Sam's Club]] and Global eCommerce.<ref name="annrep">"{{cite web |url = |title = 13.4 MB }}13.4 MB." Walmart. 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2016.</ref> The company offers various retail formats throughout these divisions, including supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash-and-carry stores, home improvement, specialty electronics, restaurants, apparel stores, drugstores, convenience stores, and digital retail.<ref name="2016 Annual Report Page 19">{{cite web |url = http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2016/annual/2016-Annual-Report-PDF.pdf |title = Walmart 2016 Annual Report |website = stock.walmart.com |publisher = Walmart |page = 19 |type = [[PDF]] |access-date = May 9, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160602123325/http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2016/annual/2016-Annual-Report-PDF.pdf |archivedate = June 2, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== Walmart U.S. ===
'''Walmart U.S.''' is the company's largest division, accounting for {{US$|298.38{{nbsp}}billion}}, or 62.3 percent of total sales, for fiscal 2016.<ref name="2016 Annual Report Page 20">{{cite web |url = http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2016/annual/2016-Annual-Report-PDF.pdf |title = Walmart 2016 Annual Report |last = |first = |author = |author-link = |last2 = |first2 = |author2 = |author-link2 = |date = |year = |editor-last = |editor-first = |editor = |editor-link = |editor1-last = |editor1-first = |editor1-link = |editor2-last = |editor2-first = |editor2-link = |editors = |department = |website = stock.walmart.com |series = |publisher = Walmart |location = |page = 20 |pages = |at = |language = |script-title = |trans-title = |type = PDF |arxiv = |asin = |bibcode = |doi = |doi-broken-date = |isbn = |issn = |jfm = |jstor = |lccn = |mr = |oclc = |ol = |osti = |pmc = |pmid = |rfc = |ssrn = |zbl = |id = |access-date = May 9, 2016 |quote = |ref = |postscript = |subscription = |registration = |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160602123325/http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2016/annual/2016-Annual-Report-PDF.pdf |archivedate = June 2, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> It consists of three retail formats that have become commonplace in the United States: [[Hypermarket|Supercenters]], [[Discount store|Discount Stores]], [[Walmart Neighborhood Market|Neighborhood Markets]], and other small formats. The discount stores sell a variety of mostly non-grocery products, though emphasis has now shifted towards supercenters, which include more groceries. {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} there are a total of 4,761 Walmart U.S. stores.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> In the United States, 90 percent of the population resides within 10 miles of a Walmart store.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Robin |url=https://www.therobinreport.com/walmarts-last-ten-miles-quicker-and-cheaper-than-amazon/ |title=Walmart’s “Last Ten Miles” – Quicker and Cheaper Than Amazon |work=The Robin Report |date=2018-02-21 |accessdate=2018-09-13 }}</ref>
The president and CEO of Walmart U.S. is Greg Foran.<ref>Corporate.walmart.com, (2014). Greg Foran. [online] Available at: {{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/leadership/executive-management/greg-foran |title = Archived copy |accessdate = September 27, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141007224918/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/leadership/executive-management/greg-foran |archivedate = October 7, 2014 |df = mdy-all }} [Accessed October 31, 2014].</ref>
==== Walmart Supercenter ====
[[File:Walmart Supercenter, North Windham, CT.jpg|alt=Walmart Supercenter|thumb|A Walmart Supercenter in [[Windham, Connecticut]].]]
'''Walmart Supercenters''', branded simply as "Walmart", are [[hypermarket]]s with sizes varying from {{convert|69000|to|260000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}}, but averaging about {{convert|178000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}}.<ref name="2018 10-K" /> These stock general merchandise and a full-service supermarket, including meat and poultry, [[baking|baked goods]], [[delicatessen]], [[frozen food]]s, dairy products, garden [[produce]], and fresh seafood. Many Walmart Supercenters also have a garden center, [[pet store|pet shop]], [[pharmacy]], Tire & [[Oil change|Lube]] Express, optical center, [[Photographic processing|one-hour photo processing lab]], portrait studio, and numerous alcove shops, such as cellular phone stores, hair and nail salons, video rental stores, local bank branches (such as [[Woodforest National Bank]] branches in newer locations), and fast food outlets.
Many Walmart Supercenters have featured McDonald's restaurants, but in 2007, Walmart announced it would stop opening McDonald's restaurants at most of their newer stores, most likely due to nutrition. Most locations that opened up after the announcement had Subway as their restaurants, and some McDonald's inside the stores were replaced with [[Subway (restaurant)|Subways]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/09/13/walmart-dumps-mcdonalds-f_n_64322.html |work = Huffington Post |first = Michelle |last = Kung |title = Walmart Dumps McDonald's For Subway As In-Store Restaurateur |date = September 13, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160831234228/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/09/13/walmart-dumps-mcdonalds-f_n_64322.html |archivedate = August 31, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In some Canadian locations, Tim Hortons were opened. Recently, in several Supercenters, like the [[Tallahassee, FL]] location, Walmart added [[Burger King]] to their locations.
Some locations also have fuel stations which sell gasoline distributed by [[Murphy USA]] (which spun off from [[Murphy Oil]] in 2013), [[Sunoco, Inc.]] ("Optima"), the [[Tesoro]] Corporation ("Mirastar"), USA Gasoline, and even now Walmart-branded gas stations.<ref name="CSNews_WMGas" />
The first Supercenter opened in Washington, Missouri, in 1988. A similar concept, [[Hypermart USA]], had opened a year earlier in [[Garland, Texas]]. All Hypermart USA stores were later closed or converted into Supercenters.
{{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} there were 3,561 Walmart Supercenters in 49 of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> Hawaii is the only state to not have a Supercenter location. The largest Supercenter in the United States, covering {{convert|260000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}} on two floors, is located in [[Crossgates Commons]] in [[Albany, New York]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.albany.com/news/walmart.cfm |title = Largest Walmart Supercenter In US Finds Home In Albany NY |publisher = Albany.com |accessdate = December 23, 2008 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081012220544/http://www.albany.com/news/walmart.cfm |archivedate = October 12, 2008 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
A typical supercenter sells approximately 120,000 items, compared to the 35 million products sold in Walmart's online store.<ref>{{cite news |last = Boyle |first = Matthew |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-12/wal-mart-to-discount-1-million-online-items-picked-up-in-stores |title = Wal-Mart to Discount One Million Online Items Picked Up in Stores |work = [[Bloomberg News]] |date = April 12, 2017 |accessdate = April 12, 2017 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170412042938/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-12/wal-mart-to-discount-1-million-online-items-picked-up-in-stores |archivedate = April 12, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
The "Supercenter" name has since been phased out, with these stores now simply referred to as "Walmart", since the company introduced the new Walmart logo in 2008. However, the branding is still used in Walmart's Canadian stores (spelled as "Supercentre" in Canadian English).<ref>{{cite web |url = http://walmartcanada.ca/Pages/History/168/170/170 |title = Walmart Canada – Corporate Information |publisher = Walmartcanada.ca |date = |accessdate = April 24, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141204021716/http://walmartcanada.ca/Pages/History/168/170/170 |archive-date = December 4, 2014 }}</ref>
==== Walmart Discount Store ====
[[File:Wal-Mart Albemarle Rd Charlotte, NC (7580001150).jpg|thumb|The exterior of the Walmart Discount Store in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]|alt=The exterior of the Walmart Discount Store in Charlotte, North Carolina]]
'''Walmart Discount Stores''', also branded as simply "Walmart", are discount department stores with sizes varying from {{convert|30000|to|206000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}}, with the average store covering {{convert|105000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}}.<ref name="2018 10-K" /> They carry [[general merchandise]] and limited [[grocery|groceries]]. Some newer and remodeled discount stores have an expanded grocery department, similar to Target's PFresh department. Many of these stores also feature a garden center, pharmacy, Tire & Lube Express, optical center, one-hour photo processing lab, portrait studio, a bank branch, a cell phone store, and a fast food outlet. Some also have gasoline stations.<ref name="CSNews_WMGas">{{cite news |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-29/Walmart-to-offer-customers-discount-gas-as-prices-rise.html |title = Walmart to Offer Customers Discount Gas As Prices Rise |publisher = [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg.com]] |date = August 29, 2012 |accessdate = December 7, 2012 |author = Welch, David |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CkXOibVh?url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-29/wal-mart-to-offer-customers-discount-gas-as-prices-rise.html |archivedate = December 8, 2012 }}</ref> Discount Stores were Walmart's original concept, though they have since been surpassed by Supercenters.
In 1990, Walmart opened its first Bud's Discount City location in Bentonville. Bud's operated as a closeout store, much like [[Big Lots]]. Many locations were opened to fulfill leases in shopping centers as Walmart stores left and moved into newly built Supercenters. All of the Bud's Discount City stores had closed or converted into Walmart Discount Stores by 1997.<ref name="DSN Retailing Today 97">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart shuttering 7-year old Bud's chain |url = http://www.nexis.com/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=5J0R-BSJ1-DYBW-21K0&csi=8399&oc=00240&perma=true |newspaper = DSN Retailing Today |date = August 4, 1997 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307161925/http://www.nexis.com/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=5J0R-BSJ1-DYBW-21K0&csi=8399&oc=00240&perma=true |archivedate = March 7, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
{{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} there were 400 Walmart Discount Stores in 41 states and Puerto Rico.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, District of Columbia, West Virginia, and Wyoming are the only states and territories where a discount store does not operate.
==== Walmart Neighborhood Market ====
[[File:WalMartNeighborhoodMarketHoustonHillcroft.JPG|thumb|Walmart Neighborhood Market in [[Houston]], Texas]]
'''Walmart Neighborhood Market''' sometimes branded as "Neighborhood Market by Walmart" or informally known as "Neighborhood Walmart", is Walmart's chain of smaller [[grocery stores]] ranging from {{convert|28000|to|65000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}} and averaging about {{convert|42000|sqft|abbr=off}}, about a fifth of the size of a Walmart Supercenter.<ref name="2018 10-K" /><ref name="Peterson October 15">{{cite news |title = What it's like to shop at Walmart's store of the future, which is becoming a threat to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's |last1 = Peterson |first1 = Hayley |url = http://www.businessinsider.com/walmarts-store-of-the-future-photos-2015-10 |newspaper = [[Business Insider]] |date = October 27, 2015 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160326155516/http://www.businessinsider.com/walmarts-store-of-the-future-photos-2015-10 |archivedate = March 26, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The first Walmart Neighborhood Market opened in 1998, yet Walmart renewed its focus on the smaller grocery store format in the 2010s.<ref name="Loeb 14">{{cite news |title = Why Walmart suddenly thinks smaller is better |last1 = Loeb |first1 = Walter |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/walterloeb/2014/06/16/why-walmart-suddenly-thinks-smaller-is-better/ |magazine = [[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]] |date = June 16, 2014 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923092938/http://www.forbes.com/sites/walterloeb/2014/06/16/why-walmart-suddenly-thinks-smaller-is-better/ |archivedate = September 23, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
The stores focus on three of Walmart's major sales categories: groceries, which account for about 55 percent of the company's revenue,<ref name="Fox 13">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart: The $200 billion grocer |last1 = Fox |first1 = Emily Jane |url = http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/31/news/companies/walmart-grocery/ |newspaper = [[CNNMoney]] |date = January 31, 2013 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170113214317/http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/31/news/companies/walmart-grocery |archivedate = January 13, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Wahba|first=Phil|date=1 February 2018|title=Retailers' Secret Weapon Is ... Food?|url=<!--from print edition-->|journal=Fortune|volume=|pages=15|issn=0015-8259|quote=...U.S. grocery business that makes up 56% of its revenue....|via=}}</ref> pharmacy, and, at some stores, fuel.<ref name="Peterson July 15">{{cite news |title = What it's like inside Wal-Mart's new marketplace that's a threat to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's |last1 = Peterson |first1 = Hayley |last2 = |first2 = |url = http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-walmarts-neighborhood-markets-2015-7 |newspaper = Business Insider |date = July 4, 2015 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081213/http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-walmarts-neighborhood-markets-2015-7 |archivedate = March 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> For groceries and consumables, the stores sell fresh produce, deli and bakery items, prepared foods, meat, dairy, organic, general grocery and frozen foods, in addition to cleaning products and pet supplies.<ref name="Peterson October 15" /><ref name="Mossman 12">{{cite news |title = Walmart unveils five new Neighborhood Markets in Denver area |last1 = Mossman |first1 = John |url = http://www.denverpost.com/ci_20894819/walmart-unveils-five-new-neighborhood-markets-denver-area |newspaper = [[Denver Post]] |date = June 20, 2012 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150702014738/http://www.denverpost.com/ci_20894819/walmart-unveils-five-new-neighborhood-markets-denver-area |archivedate = July 2, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Some stores offer wine and beer sales<ref name="Peterson October 15" /> and drive-through pharmacies.<ref name="Gute 15">{{cite news |title = Neighborhood Market opens in Midtown Center |last1 = Gute |first1 = Melissa |url = http://www.nexis.com/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=5HC4-34K1-DY70-0096&csi=8399&oc=00240&perma=true |newspaper = [[Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]] |date = November 12, 2015 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |quote = While most Neighborhood Markets have a drink bar and a few have a pizza program, this market also has a seating area where people can eat lunch, Kirk said. It's an amenity included because of location. The pizza program allows customers to either select pre-made pizzas or build their own and have them oven-baked there in 5 minutes. The market has 31,000 square feet and includes a deli and bakery. It offers fresh produce, meat and other groceries, according to a news release. It also includes a pharmacy with a drive-thru window. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170905004036/http://www.nexis.com/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=5HC4-34K1-DY70-0096&csi=8399&oc=00240&perma=true |archivedate = September 5, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Some stores, such as one at Midtown Center in Bentonville, Arkansas, offer made-to-order pizza with a seating area for eating.<ref name="Gute 15" /> Customers can also use Walmart's site-to-store operation and pick up online orders at Walmart Neighborhood Market stores.<ref name="Stark 12">{{cite news |title = Walmart Neighborhood Market, first on West Coast, opens Firday in West Linn |last1 = Stark |first1 = Rachel |url = http://www.oregonlive.com/west-linn/index.ssf/2012/05/walmart_neighborhood_market_fi.html |newspaper = [[The Oregonian]] |date = May 21, 2012 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20151123230536/http://www.oregonlive.com/west-linn/index.ssf/2012/05/walmart_neighborhood_market_fi.html |archivedate = November 23, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Products at Walmart Neighborhood Market stores carry the same prices as those at Walmart's larger supercenters. A [[Moody's Investor Services|Moody's]] analyst said the wider company's pricing structure gives the chain of grocery stores a "competitive advantage" over competitors [[Whole Foods]], [[Kroger]] and [[Trader Joe's]].<ref name="Peterson July 15" />
Neighborhood Market stores expanded slowly at first as a way to fill gaps between Walmart Supercenters and Discount Stores in existing markets.<ref name="Birchall 10">{{cite news |title = Walmart takes smaller format path to growth |last1 = Birchall |first1 = Jonathan |url = http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/a7757fe6-d737-11df-9cd5-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3lGGVFr9S |newspaper = [[Financial Times]] |date = October 14, 2010 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |quote = With about 180 stores, the retailer has focused on using them to fill in between Supercenters in areas such as Dallas, Las Vegas and Orlando, rather than to develop new markets. }}</ref> In its first 12 years, the company opened about 180 Walmart Neighborhood Markets.<ref name="Birchall 10" /> By 2010, Walmart said it was ready to accelerate its expansion plans for the grocery stores.<ref name="Birchall 10" /> {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} there were 701 Walmart Neighborhood Markets,<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> each employing between 90 and 95 full-time and part-time workers.<ref name="Darrow 15">{{cite news |title = Walmart to build Neighborhood Market |last1 = Darrow |first1 = Dennis |url = http://www.chieftain.com/news/top/3896796-120/walmart-neighborhood-pueblo-store |newspaper = [[Pueblo Chieftain]] |date = August 31, 2015 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
==== Former stores and concepts ====
[[File:Walmart Neighborhood Market, Alma.JPG|thumb|2015 photo of a Walmart Express branded as a Walmart Neighborhood Market in [[Alma, Georgia]] that closed in 2016|alt=2015 photo of a Walmart Express branded as a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Alma, Georgia that closed in 2016]]
Walmart opened '''Supermercado de Walmart''' locations to appeal to [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]] communities in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5676N820090708 |title = Walmart woos Hispanics with new Supermercado |publisher = ''Reuters'' |accessdate = December 20, 2009 |date = July 8, 2009 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100118093414/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5676N820090708 |archivedate = January 18, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The first one, a {{convert|39000|sqft|sqm|abbr=off|adj=on|sp=us}} store in the [[Spring Branch, Houston|Spring Branch]] area of [[Houston]], opened on April 29, 2009.<ref name="HoustonChron">{{cite news |last = Moreno |first = Jenalia |title = Walmart gives Supermercado concept a local tryout |url = http://www.chron.com/business/article/Wal-Mart-gives-Supermercado-concept-a-local-tryout-1724512.php |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |newspaper = Houston Chronicle |date = April 30, 2009 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131215100003/http://www.chron.com/business/article/Wal-Mart-gives-Supermercado-concept-a-local-tryout-1724512.php |archivedate = December 15, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The store was a conversion of an existing Walmart Neighborhood Market.<ref>{{cite news |author = Wollam, Allison |url = http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/03/23/story1.html |title = Walmart chooses Houston as test market for Supermercado de Walmart |work = [[Houston Business Journal]] |date = March 20, 2009 |accessdate = June 28, 2010 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20101101063338/http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/03/23/story1.html |archivedate = November 1, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2009, another Supermercado de Walmart opened in [[Phoenix, Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web |author = Burwell, Sloane |url = http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/2009/06/viva_el_mercado_supermercado_d.php |title = Viva El Mercado Supermercado De Walmart |work = [[Phoenix New Times]] |date = June 17, 2009 |accessdate = February 1, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604093916/http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/2009/06/viva_el_mercado_supermercado_d.php |archivedate = June 4, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Both locations closed in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://swamplot.com/supermercado-de-walmart-americas-first-and-last-latino-themed-walmart-grocery-store-has-closed-down-for-good/2014-11-06/ |title = Supermercado de Walmart, America's First and Last Latino-Themed Walmart Grocery Store, Has Closed Down for Good |work = Swamplot |date = January 21, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160129043403/http://swamplot.com/supermercado-de-walmart-americas-first-and-last-latino-themed-walmart-grocery-store-has-closed-down-for-good/2014-11-06/ |archivedate = January 29, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2009, Walmart opened "Mas Club", a warehouse retail operation patterned after Sam's Club. Its lone store closed in 2014.<ref name="HoustonChron" />
'''Walmart Express''' was a chain of smaller discount stores with a range of services from groceries to check cashing and gasoline service. The concept was focused on small towns deemed unable to support a larger store, and large cities where space was at a premium. Walmart planned to build 15 to 20 Walmart Express stores, focusing on Arkansas, North Carolina and Chicago, by the end of its fiscal year in January 2012. {{As of|2014|September|df=US|post=,}} Walmart re-branded all of its Express format stores to Neighborhood Markets in an effort to streamline its retail offer. It continued to open new Express stores under the Neighborhood Market name. {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} there were 99 small-format stores in the United States. These include Amigo (17 locations), E-Commerce Acquisition / C-stores (59 locations), and other store formats (23 locations).<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> On January 15, 2016, Walmart announced that it will be closing 269 stores globally, including all 102 U.S. Walmart Express stores, including those branded as Neighborhood Markets.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/wal-mart-to-close-269-stores-globally-1452868122?mod=e2fb |title = Wal-Mart Makes Rare Retreat on Home Turf |author = Sarah Nassauer and Kate Davidson |date = January 16, 2016 |work = WSJ |accessdate = February 17, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160126044434/http://www.wsj.com/articles/wal-mart-to-close-269-stores-globally-1452868122?mod=e2fb |archivedate = January 26, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
==== Initiatives ====
In September 2006, Walmart announced a pilot program to sell [[generic drug]]s at $4{{nbsp}}per prescription. The program was launched at stores in the [[Tampa, Florida]], area, and by January 2007 had been expanded to all stores in Florida. While the average price of generics is{{nbsp}}$29 per prescription, compared to{{nbsp}}$102 for name-brand drugs, Walmart maintains that it is not selling at a loss, or providing them as an act of charity—instead, they are using the same mechanisms of mass distribution that it uses to bring lower prices to other products.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6119292 |title = Walmart to Sell Generic Drugs for $4 |last = Silberner |first = Joanne |date = September 21, 2006 |publisher = [[All Things Considered]] ([[NPR]]) |accessdate = March 10, 2009 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100127064901/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6119292 |archivedate = January 27, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Many of Walmart's low cost generics are imported from India, where they are made by drug makers that include [[Ranbaxy Laboratories|Ranbaxy]] and [[Cipla]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=326184 |title = Pharma firms boost Walmart revenues |publisher = ''[[Business Standard]]'' |date = June 16, 2008 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117025420/http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=326184 |archivedate = January 17, 2013 }}</ref>
On February 6, 2007, the company launched a "beta" version of a movie download service, which sold about 3,000 films and television episodes from all major studios and television networks.<ref name="moviedownload">{{cite news |url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250417,00.html |title = Walmart Launches Online Movie Download Service |publisher = [[Fox News Channel]] |date = February 6, 2007 |accessdate = February 14, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070209182526/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250417,00.html |archivedate = February 9, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The service was discontinued on December 21, 2007 due to low sales.<ref name="moviedownloaddiscontinued">{{cite news |author = Matt Richtel |author2 = Brad Stone |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/technology/01iht-walmart.1.8968826.html |title = Walmart's movie download service passes into ignominy |work = The New York Times |date = January 1, 2008 |accessdate = January 2, 2008 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150904032106/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/technology/01iht-walmart.1.8968826.html |archivedate = September 4, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In 2008, Walmart started a pilot program in the small grocery store concept called Marketside in the metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, area. The four stores closed in 2011.<ref name="Jarman_Max">{{cite news |last = Jarman |first = Max |title = Walmart closes its 4 Marketside stores in the Phoenix area. |url = http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2011/10/16/20111016biz-walmart1016.html |accessdate = July 22, 2012 |newspaper = [[The Arizona Republic]] |date = October 16, 2011 }}</ref>
In 2015, Walmart began testing a free grocery pickup service, allowing customers to select products online and choose their pickup time. At the store, a Walmart employee loads the groceries into the customer's car. {{As of|2017|December|17|df=US|post=,}} the service is available in 39 U.S. states.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://grocery.walmart.com/locations/index.html|title=Online Grocery Shopping {{!}} Free Pickup {{!}} Walmart Grocery|website=grocery.walmart.com|access-date=2017-12-17}}</ref>
In May 2016, Walmart announced a change to ShippingPass, its three-day shipping service, and that it will move from a three-day delivery to two-day delivery to remain competitive with Amazon.<ref>Sarah Perez, TechCrunch. "[https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/12/walmart-begins-testing-2-day-shipping-service-to-take-on-amazon-prime/ Walmart begins testing 2-day shipping service to take on Amazon Prime] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525041834/https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/12/walmart-begins-testing-2-day-shipping-service-to-take-on-amazon-prime/ |date=May 25, 2017 }}." May 12, 2016. May 13, 2016.</ref> Walmart priced it at 49 dollars per year, compared to Amazon Prime's 99 dollar per year price.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2016/06/29/walmart-amps-up-campaign-to-take-on-amazon-prime/ |title = Walmart amps up campaign to take on Amazon Prime |work = [[The Washington Post]] |author = Sarah Halzack |date = June 29, 2016 |accessdate = October 6, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161011192121/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2016/06/29/walmart-amps-up-campaign-to-take-on-amazon-prime/ |archivedate = October 11, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.yahoo.com/tech/amazon-prime-day-deals-not-160751363.html |title = Walmart Competes with Amazon.com |last = Chang |first = Lulu |date = July 11, 2016 |access-date = July 11, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160709211447/https://www.yahoo.com/tech/amazon-prime-day-deals-not-160751363.html |archivedate = July 9, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In June 2016, Walmart and Sam's Club announced that they would begin testing a last-mile grocery delivery that used services including [[Uber (company)|Uber]], [[Lyft]], and [[Deliv]], to bring customers' orders to their homes. Walmart customers would be able to shop using the company's online grocery service at grocery.walmart.com, then request delivery at checkout for a small fee. The first tests were planned to go live in Denver and Phoenix.<ref>Sarah Perez, TechCrunch. "[https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/02/walmart-will-test-last-mile-grocery-delivery-via-uber-lyft-and-deliv/ Walmart will test last-mile grocery delivery via Uber, Lyft and Deliv] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525042145/https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/02/walmart-will-test-last-mile-grocery-delivery-via-uber-lyft-and-deliv/ |date=May 25, 2017 }}." June 2, 2016. June 3, 2016.</ref> Walmart announced on March 14, 2018 that it would expand online delivery to 100 metropolitan regions in the United States, the equivalent of 40 percent of households, by the end of the year of 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/14/business/dealbook/walmart-online-delivery-groceries.html|title=Walmart Expands Online Grocery Delivery to 100 Cities|last=Hsu|first=Tiffany|date=2018-03-14|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-04-03|last2=Wingfield|first2=Nick|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
=== Walmart International ===
[[File:WalMart international locations.svg|right|thumb|Walmart international locations (former locations in red)]]
{{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} Walmart's international operations comprised 6,360 stores<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> and 800,000 workers in 26{{nbsp}}countries outside the United States.<ref name=Walmart_international>{{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/international |title = Walmart International |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140118112937/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/international |archivedate = January 18, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> There are wholly owned operations in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the UK. With 2.2{{nbsp}}million employees worldwide, the company is the largest private employer in the U.S. and Mexico, and one of the largest in Canada.<ref name=OurBusiness>{{cite web |title = Walmart Corporate: Our Business |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/ |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140103075916/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/ |archivedate = January 3, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In fiscal 2016, Walmart's international division sales were {{US$|123.408{{nbsp}}billion}}, or 25.8{{nbsp}}percent of total sales.<ref name="2016 Annual Report Page 20" /> International retail units range from {{convert|8900|to|186000|sqft|abbr=off}}, wholesale units range from {{convert|35000|to|185000|sqft|abbr=off}} and other units (including drugstores and convenience stores) range up to {{convert|2400|sqft|abbr=off}}.<ref name="2018 10-K" /> Judith McKenna is the president and CEO.<ref name="walmart.com">{{cite web|url=https://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/leadership|title=Leadership|website=corporate.walmart.com}}</ref>
==== Argentina ====
Walmart Argentina was founded in 1995 and, {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|lc=y|post=,}} operates 106 stores under the banners Walmart Supercenter (32 locations), Changomas (52 locations), Changomas Express (8 locations), Mi Changomas (8 locations), and Walmart Supermercado (6 locations).<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
==== Brazil ====
[[File:Hiper Bompreço.JPG|thumb|[[Bompreço]] in [[Natal, Brazil]]]]
In 2004, Walmart bought the 118{{nbsp}}stores in the [[Bompreço]] supermarket chain in northeastern Brazil. In late 2005, it took control of the Brazilian operations of Sonae Distribution Group through its new subsidiary, WMS Supermercados do Brasil, thus acquiring control of the Nacional and Mercadorama supermarket chains, the leaders in the [[Rio Grande do Sul]] and [[Paraná (state)|Paraná]] states, respectively. None of these stores were rebranded. {{As of|2014|01|df=US|post=,}} Walmart operated 61 Super-Bompreço stores, 39{{nbsp}}Hiper-Bompreço stores. It also ran 57{{nbsp}}Walmart Supercenters, 27{{nbsp}}Sam's Clubs, and 174 Todo Dia stores. With the acquisition of Bompreço and Sonae, by 2010, Walmart was the third-largest supermarket chain in Brazil, behind [[Carrefour]] and [[GPA (company)|Pão de Açúcar]].<ref name="WalmartBrazil">{{cite web |title = Walmart Corporate: Brazil |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/locations/brazil |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140211004203/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/locations/brazil |archivedate = February 11, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Walmart Brasil, the operating company, has its head office in [[Barueri]], São Paulo State, and regional offices in [[Curitiba]], Paraná; [[Porto Alegre]], Rio Grande do Sul; [[Recife]], Pernambuco; and [[Salvador, Bahia|Salvador]], Bahia.<ref>"[http://www.walmartbrasil.com.br/sobre-o-walmart/no-brasil/ No Brasil] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510133406/http://www.walmartbrasil.com.br/sobre-o-walmart/no-brasil/ |date=May 10, 2015 }}." [[Walmart Brasil]]. Retrieved November 7, 2011.</ref> {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} Walmart Brasil operates 465{{nbsp}}stores under the banners Todo Dia (123 locations), Naconial (Sonae) (51 locations), Supermarket (Bompreço) (57 locations), Walmart Supercenter (68 locations), Maxxi Atacado (Sonae) (43 locations), BIG (Sonae) (34 locations), Hypermarket (Bompreço) (31 locations), Sam's Club (27 locations), Mercadorama (Sonae) (8 locations), Walmart Posto (Gas Station) (15 locations), Supermercado Todo Dia (3 locations), and Hiper Todo Dia (5 locations).<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
==== Central America ====
Walmart also owns 51{{nbsp}}percent of the Central American Retail Holding Company (CARHCO), which, {{as of|2018|1|31|df=US|lc=y|post=,}} consists of 238 stores in Guatemala (under the Paiz [26 locations], Walmart Supercenter [10 locations], Despensa Familiar [164 locations], and Maxi Dispensa [38 locations] banners),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 95 stores in El Salvador (under the Despensa Familiar [63 locations], La Despensa de Don Juan [17 locations], Walmart Supercenter [4 locations], and Maxi Despensa [11 locations] banners),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 103 stores in Honduras (including the Paiz [8 locations], Walmart Supercenter [3 locations], Dispensa Familiar [66 locations], and Maxi Despensa [26 locations] banners),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 95 stores in Nicaragua (including the Pali [67 locations], La Unión [8 locations], Maxi Pali [19 locations], and Walmart Supercenter [1{{nbsp}}location] banners),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> and 247 stores in Costa Rica (including the Maxi Pali [39 locations], Mas X Menos [35 locations], Walmart Supercenter [11{{nbsp}}locations], and Pali [162 locations] banners<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />).<ref name="sec2006">"[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000119312506066792/d10k.htm Walmart SEC Form 10-K] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710094440/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000119312506066792/d10k.htm |date=July 10, 2017 }}." ''[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]''. January 31, 2006. Retrieved July 26, 2006.</ref>
==== Chile ====
In January 2009, the company acquired a controlling interest in the largest grocer in [[Chile]], Distribución y Servicio D&S SA.<ref name="Stanford 13">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart names Chile head Ostale chief of Latin America |last1 = Stanford |first1 = Duane D. |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-01-11/wal-mart-names-chile-head-ostale-chief-of-latin-america |magazine = Bloomberg |date = January 11, 2013 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306075617/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-01-11/wal-mart-names-chile-head-ostale-chief-of-latin-america |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="Bustillo 08">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart offers to acquire Chile's largest grocery chain |last1 = Bustillo |first1 = Miguel |url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122979761002424187 |newspaper = The Wall Street Journal |date = December 22, 2008 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307015629/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122979761002424187 |archivedate = March 7, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2010, the company was renamed [[Walmart Chile]].<ref name="Diario Financiero 10">{{cite news |title = D&S cambia su razón social por Wal Mart Chile |url = https://www.df.cl/noticias/empresas/d-s-cambia-su-razon-social-por-wal-mart-chile/2010-10-28/110300.html |newspaper = Diario Financiero |date = October 28, 2010 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306140633/https://www.df.cl/noticias/empresas/d-s-cambia-su-razon-social-por-wal-mart-chile/2010-10-28/110300.html |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} Walmart Chile operates 378 stores under the banners Lider Hiper (88 locations), Lider Express (85 locations), Superbodega Acuenta (112 locations), Ekono (88 locations), and Central Mayorista (5 locations).<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
==== Mexico ====
{{Main|Walmart de México y Centroamérica}}
{{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} Walmart's Mexico division, the largest outside the U.S., consisted of 2,358 stores.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> Walmart in Mexico operates Walmart Supercenter (270 locations), Sam's Club (162 locations), Bodega Aurrera (503 locations), Mi Bodega Aurrera (343 locations), Bodega Aurrera Express (975 locations), Superama (95 locations), and Medimart Farmacia de Walmart (10 locations).<ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
==== Canada ====
{{Main|Walmart Canada}}
[[File:RichmondHillWalmart.jpg|thumb|Walmart Supercentre in [[Richmond Hill, Ontario|Richmond Hill]], [[Canada]]|alt=Walmart Supercentre in Richmond Hill, Canada]]
Walmart has operated in Canada since it acquired 122{{nbsp}}stores comprising the [[Woolco]] division of [[F. W. Woolworth Company|Woolworth Canada, Inc]] in 1994. {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} it operates 410{{nbsp}}locations (including 334{{nbsp}}supercentres and 76 discount stores)<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> and, {{as of|2015|June|df=US|lc=y|post=,}} it employs 89,358 people, with a local home office in [[Mississauga]], Ontario.<ref name="WalmartCanada">{{cite web |title = Walmart Canada: Corporate Information |url = http://walmartcanada.ca/Pages/About%20Us/168/168/168?lang=en |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121004202059/http://walmartcanada.ca/Pages/About%20Us/168/168/168?lang=en |archive-date = October 4, 2012 }}</ref> [[Walmart Canada]]'s first three Supercentres (spelled in [[Canadian English]]) opened in November 2006 in [[Ancaster, Ontario|Ancaster]], [[London, Ontario|London]], and [[Stouffville, Ontario|Stouffville]], Ontario.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114024143/http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2006/11/07/wawlmart-superstores.html|title=Wal-Mart unveils plans to open up to 14 supercentres in 2007 - CBC News|date=2012-11-14|access-date=2018-04-01}}</ref> The 100th{{nbsp}}Canadian Supercentre opened in July 2010, in [[Victoria, British Columbia]].
In 2010, Walmart Canada Bank was introduced with the launch of the Walmart Rewards MasterCard.<ref name="walmart_canada_bank">{{cite news |title = Walmart Canada Bank launches Walmart Rewards MasterCard |url = http://smr.newswire.ca/en/walmart-canada-bank/walmart-canada-bank-launches-walmart-rewards-mastercard |accessdate = June 29, 2011 |newspaper = newswire.ca |date = June 15, 2010 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100621125620/http://smr.newswire.ca/en/walmart-canada-bank/walmart-canada-bank-launches-walmart-rewards-mastercard |archivedate = June 21, 2010 }}</ref>
==== United Kingdom ====
{{Main|Asda}}
[[File:A big green sign - geograph.org.uk - 781233.jpg|thumb|Walmart's UK subsidiary, [[Asda]]|alt=]]
Walmart's UK subsidiary Asda (which retained its name after being acquired by Walmart) is based in [[Leeds]] and accounted for 42.7{{nbsp}}percent of 2006 sales of Walmart's international division. In contrast to the U.S. operations, Asda was originally and still remains primarily a grocery chain, but with a stronger focus on non-food items than most UK supermarket chains other than [[Tesco]]. {{As of|2018|1|31|df=us|post=,}} Asda had 642 stores,<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> including 147 from the 2010 acquisition of [[Netto UK]]. In addition to small suburban Asda Supermarkets, which has 211 locations,<ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> larger stores are branded Supercentres, which has 32 locations.<ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /><!-- Supercentres is correct; see talk page. --> Other banners include Asda Superstores (341 locations), Asda Living (33 locations), and Asda Petrol Fueling Station (25 locations).<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /><ref>[http://www.asda.jobs/all-about/who-we-are/stores.html ASDA Careers: All about ASDA Stores]. Retrieved August 7, 2011 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110803164941/http://www.asda.jobs/all-about/who-we-are/stores.html |date=August 3, 2011 }}</ref> In July 2015, Asda updated its logo featuring the Walmart Asterisks behind the first 'A' in the Logo. In May 2018, Walmart sold Asda to rival J Sainsbury for $10.1 billion. Under the terms of the deal, Walmart gets a 42% stake in the combined company and about £3 billion in cash.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/walmart-to-merge-british-unit-asda-with-u-k-rival-sainsbury-1525070178|title=Walmart to Sell British Unit Asda to U.K. Rival Sainsbury|last=Chaudhuri|first=Saabira|date=2018-04-30|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=2018-05-02|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>
==== Africa ====
On September 28, 2010, Walmart announced it would buy [[Massmart Holdings Ltd]]. of [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]] in a deal worth over {{US$|4{{nbsp}}billion}} giving the company its first footprint in Africa.<ref name="Wake">{{cite news |url = http://www.journalnow.com/business/head-of-wal-mart-tells-wfu-audience-of-plans-for/article_5ad539d5-d616-55ba-ab27-aeaf45b06074.html |title = Head of Walmart tells WFU audience of plans for growth over next 20 years |last = Daniel |first = Fran |work = [[Winston-Salem Journal]] |date = September 29, 2010 |accessdate = March 7, 2016 }}</ref> {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} it has 382{{nbsp}}stores in South Africa (under the banners Game Foodco [70 locations], CBW [48 locations], Game [49 locations], Builders Express [43 locations], Builders Warehouse [33 locations], Cambridge [42 locations], Dion Wired [24 locations], Rhino [19 locations], Makro [21 locations], Builders Trade Depot [15 locations], Jumbo [7{{nbsp}}locations], and Builders Superstore [11{{nbsp}}locations]),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 11 stores in Botswana (under the banners CBW [7{{nbsp}}locations], Game Foodco [2{{nbsp}}locations], and Builders Warehouse [2{{nbsp}}locations]),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 2{{nbsp}}stores in Ghana under the banners Game (1 location) and Game Foodco (1 location),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 1{{nbsp}}store in Kenya (under the Game Foodco banner),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 3{{nbsp}}stores in Lesotho (under the banners CBW [2{{nbsp}}locations] and Game [1{{nbsp}}location]),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /> 2{{nbsp}}stores in Malawi (under the Game banner),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 5{{nbsp}}stores in Mozambique (under the banners Builders Warehouse [2{{nbsp}}locations], Game Foodco [2{{nbsp}}locations], and CBW [1{{nbsp}}location]),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 4{{nbsp}}stores in Namibia (under the banners Game Foodco [2{{nbsp}}locations], Game [1{{nbsp}}location], and CBW [1{{nbsp}}location]),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 5{{nbsp}}stores in Nigeria (under the banners Game [4{{nbsp}}locations] and Game Foodco [1{{nbsp}}location],<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 1 store in Swaziland (under the CBW banner),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 1{{nbsp}}store in Tanzania (under the Game banner),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 1{{nbsp}}store in Uganda (under the Game banner),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> and 6{{nbsp}}stores in Zambia (under the banners CBW [1 location], Game [3{{nbsp}}locations] and Builders Warehouse [2{{nbsp}}location]).<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
==== China ====
[[File:20170212 Bilingual signs in Walmart Hangzhou Toys.jpg|thumb|left|A Walmart in [[Hangzhou]], China|alt=Aisle with products in a Walmart in Hangzhou, China]]
Walmart has joint ventures in China and several majority-owned subsidiaries. {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} Walmart China (沃尔玛 ''Wò'ērmǎ'')<ref>{{cite web |title = Walmart China – Official website |url = http://www.wal-martchina.com/walmart/wminchina_map.htm |website = www.wal-martchina.com |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = March 11, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160314042735/http://wal-martchina.com/walmart/wminchina_map.htm |archivedate = March 14, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> operates 443 stores under the Walmart Supercenter (406 locations), Sam's Club (19 locations) and Hypermarket (18 locations) banners.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
In February 2012, Walmart announced that the company raised its stake to 51 percent in Chinese online supermarket [[Yihaodian]] to tap rising consumer wealth and help the company offer more products. Walmart took full ownership in July 2015.<ref name="Jourdan 15">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart buys out China e-commerce firm Yihaodian in online push |last1 = Jourdan |first1 = Adam |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-wal-mart-stores-china-yihaodian-idUSKCN0PX0D220150723 |agency = Reuters |date = July 23, 2015 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082807/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-wal-mart-stores-china-yihaodian-idUSKCN0PX0D220150723 |archivedate = March 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
==== Japan ====
In Japan, Walmart owns 100 percent of [[Seiyu Group|Seiyu]] (西友 ''Seiyū'') {{as of|2008|df=US|lc=y|post=.}}<ref name="Boyle 09">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart's painful lessons |last1 = Boyle |first1 = Matthew |url = http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/oct2009/ca20091013_227022.htm |magazine = Bloomberg |date = October 13, 2009 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307205619/http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/oct2009/ca20091013_227022.htm |archivedate = March 7, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/locations/#/japan |title = Walmart Corporate – Japan |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140104115055/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/locations/#/japan |archivedate = January 4, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> As of January 31, 2018, there are 336 stores under the Seiyu (Hypermarket) (91 locations), Seiyu (Supermarket) (236 locations), Seiyu (General Merchandise) (1{{nbsp}}location), and Livin (8{{nbsp}}locations) banners.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
==== India ====
In November 2006, the company announced a joint venture with [[Bharti Enterprises]] to operate in [[India]]. As foreign corporations were not allowed to enter the retail sector directly, Walmart operated through franchises and handled the wholesale end of the business.<ref name="walmartindia">Giridharadas A., Rai S. [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/27/business/worldbusiness/27cnd-walmart.html "Walmart to Open Hundreds of Stores in India"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701110549/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/27/business/worldbusiness/27cnd-walmart.html |date=July 1, 2017 }}. ''The New York Times''. November 27, 2006. Retrieved November 27, 2006.</ref> The partnership involved two joint ventures—Bharti manages the front end, involving opening of retail outlets while Walmart takes care of the back end, such as [[cold chain]]s and logistics. Walmart operates stores in India under the name Best Price Modern Wholesale.<ref name="Mathew 13">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart to run India wholesale business single-handedly |last1 = Mathew |first1 = Jerin |url = http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/wal-mart-bharti-india-retail-fdi-reforms-512464 |newspaper = [[International Business Times]] |date = October 9, 2013 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306222500/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/wal-mart-bharti-india-retail-fdi-reforms-512464 |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The first store opened in [[Amritsar]] on May 30, 2009. On September 14, 2012, the Government of India approved 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retails, subject to approval by individual states, effective September 20, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title = Govt allows FDI in multi-brand retail, aviation |url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Govt-allows-FDI-in-multi-brand-retail-aviation/articleshow/16397960.cms |date = September 14, 2012 |agency = Reuters |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120915090846/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Govt-allows-FDI-in-multi-brand-retail-aviation/articleshow/16397960.cms |archivedate = September 15, 2012 |work = The Times Of India |deadurl = yes |df = }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (FC-I Section), Press Note No.5 (2012 Series) – multi brand retail |publisher = Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India |date = September 20, 2012 |url = http://dipp.nic.in/English/acts_rules/Press_Notes/pn5_2012.pdf |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160222062405/http://dipp.nic.in/english/acts_rules/Press_Notes/pn5_2012.pdf |archivedate = February 22, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Scott Price, Walmart's president and CEO for Asia, told ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' that the company would be able to start opening Walmart stores in India within two years.<ref>{{cite news |author = |url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Walmart-hopes-to-open-first-India-store-in-18-months-Report/articleshow/16488898.cms |title = Walmart hopes to open first India store in 18 months: Report |work = The Times of India |date = September 21, 2012 |accessdate = September 27, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150226212215/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Walmart-hopes-to-open-first-India-store-in-18-months-Report/articleshow/16488898.cms |archivedate = February 26, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Expansion into India faced some significant problems. In November 2012, Walmart admitted to spending {{US$|25{{nbsp}}million}} lobbying the [[Indian National Congress]];<ref name="indiatimes">{{cite news |title = Probe Walmart 'bribe', says opposition |url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-11/india/35748837_1_bharti-walmart-indian-market-fdi |newspaper = The Times of India |date = December 11, 2012 }}</ref> lobbying is conventionally considered bribery in India.<ref name="BBCnewsUS">{{cite news |last = |first = |title = US defends Walmart India lobbying |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-20674717 |accessdate = December 28, 2012 |publisher = BBC News India |date = December 11, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121214073534/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-20674717 |archivedate = December 14, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart is conducting an internal investigation into potential violations of the [[Foreign Corrupt Practices Act]].<ref name="NYTinquiry">{{cite news |last1 = Cilfford |first1 = Stephanie |last2 = Barstow |first2 = David |title = Walmart Inquiry Reflects Alarm on Corruption |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/business/Walmart-expands-foreign-bribery-investigation.html?pagewanted=all |accessdate = December 28, 2012 |work = The New York Times |date = November 15, 2012 }}</ref> Bharti Walmart suspended a number of employees, rumored to include its CFO and legal team, to ensure "a complete and thorough investigation".<ref name="NYTIndianBribery">{{cite news |last = Bajaj |first = Vikas |title = India Unit of Walmart Suspends Employees |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/24/business/global/Walmarts-india-venture-suspends-executives-as-part-of-bribery-inquiry.html |accessdate = December 28, 2012 |newspaper = The New York Times |date = November 23, 2012 }}</ref> {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} there are 20 Best Price locations.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> In October 2013, Bharti and Walmart separated to pursue business independently.<ref name="Times of India">{{cite news |title = Bharti, Wal-Mart end joint venture |url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Bharti-Wal-Mart-end-joint-venture/articleshow/23848813.cms |date = October 10, 2013 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161210181157/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Bharti-Wal-Mart-end-joint-venture/articleshow/23848813.cms |archivedate = December 10, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
On May 9, 2018, Walmart announced its intent to acquire a 77% majority stake in the Indian e-commerce company [[Flipkart]] for $16 billion, in a deal that was completed on August 18, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/walmart-bets-15-billion-on-an-e-commerce-passage-to-india-1525690804|title=Walmart Bets $15 Billion on an E-Commerce Passage to India|last=Purnell|first=Newley|date=7 May 2018|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=7 May 2018|last2=Bellman|first2=Eric|issn=0099-9660|last3=Abrams|first3=Corinne}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/walmart-expects-to-close-flipkart-deal-by-the-end-of-2018-2583161.html|title=Walmart expects to close Flipkart deal by the end of 2018|website=Moneycontrol|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Walmart completes deal to acquire 77% stake in Flipkart, to invest $2 billion - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/walmart-completes-deal-to-acquire-77-stake-in-flipkart-to-invest-2-billion/articleshow/65454382.cms |website=The Times of India |accessdate=30 August 2018}}</ref>
==== Setbacks ====
In the mid-1990s, Walmart tried with a large financial investment to get a foothold in the German retail market. In 1997, Walmart took over the supermarket chain Wertkauf with its 21 stores for [[Deutsche Mark|DM]] 750 million<ref>[http://www.ka-news.de/wirtschaft/karlsruhe/Karlsruhe;art127,52059 "Metro übernimmt Walmart"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618032055/http://www.ka-news.de/wirtschaft/karlsruhe/Karlsruhe;art127,52059 |date=June 18, 2009 }}. (in German). ka-news. August 3, 2006</ref> and the following year Walmart acquired 74 Interspar stores for DM 1.3 billion.<ref>[http://www.zeit.de/1999/40/Schnitte "Schnitte"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301024822/http://www.zeit.de/1999/40/Schnitte |date=March 1, 2016 }}. (in German). ''[[Die Zeit]]''.</ref><ref>[http://www.stern.de/wirtschaft/news/Walmart-in-deutschland-ein-zwerg-536713.html "In Deutschland ein Zwerg"]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. (in German). ''[[Stern (magazine)|Stern]]''. February 18, 2005.</ref> The German market at this point was an oligopoly with high competition among companies which used a similar low price strategy as Walmart. As a result, Walmart's low price strategy yielded no competitive advantage. Walmart's [[Organizational culture|corporate culture]] was not viewed positively among employees and customers, particularly Walmart's "statement of ethics", which restricted relationships between employees and led to a public discussion in the media, resulting in a bad reputation among customers.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.stern.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/549609.html |title = Auch Walmart-Mitarbeiter dürfen lieben |work = Stern |date = November 15, 2005 |language = German |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080530013145/http://www.stern.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/549609.html |archivedate = May 30, 2008 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article177942/Walmart-Mitarbeiter_duerfen_flirten.html |title = Walmart-Mitarbeiter dürfen flirten |language = German |publisher = ''[[Die Welt]]'' |date = November 15, 2005 }}</ref> In July 2006, Walmart announced its withdrawal from Germany due to sustained losses. The stores were sold to the German company [[Metro AG|Metro]] during Walmart's fiscal third quarter.<ref name="Boyle 09" /><ref name="walmartgermany">{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5223432.stm |title = Walmart Abandons German Venture |publisher = BBC News |date = July 28, 2006 |accessdate = July 31, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090115081000/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5223432.stm |archivedate = January 15, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart did not disclose its losses from its German investment, but they were estimated to be around {{Euro}}3 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,429017,00.html |title = Spiegel: "Warum der US-Titan scheiterte |language = German |publisher = ''[[Der Spiegel]]'' |date = July 28, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120118130337/http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,429017,00.html |archivedate = January 18, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
==== Corruption charges ====
An April 2012 investigation by ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported the allegations of a former executive of Walmart de Mexico that, in September 2005, the company had paid [[bribery|bribes]] via local fixers to officials throughout Mexico in exchange for construction permits, information, and other favors, which gave Walmart a substantial advantage over competitors.<ref name="NYTBribe">{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/business/at-Walmart-in-mexico-a-bribe-inquiry-silenced.html |title = Vast Mexican Bribery Case Hushed Up by Walmart After High-Level Struggle |publisher = ''The New York Times'' |author = David Barstow |date = April 21, 2012 |accessdate = April 22, 2012 }}</ref> Walmart investigators found credible evidence that Mexican and American laws had been broken. Concerns were also raised that Walmart executives in the United States had "hushed up" the allegations. A follow-up investigation by ''The New York Times'', published December 17, 2012, revealed evidence that regulatory permission for siting, construction, and operation of nineteen stores had been obtained through bribery. There was evidence that a bribe of {{US$|52,000}} was paid to change a zoning map, which enabled the opening of a Walmart store a mile from a historical site in [[San Juan Teotihuacán]] in 2004.<ref name="NYT92904">{{cite news |title = No, the Conquistadors Are Not Back. It's Just Walmart. |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/28/international/americas/28mexico.html |accessdate = December 18, 2012 |newspaper = The New York Times |date = September 28, 2004 |author = James C. McKinley, Jr. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121218213105/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/28/international/americas/28mexico.html |archivedate = December 18, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> After the initial article was released, Walmart released a statement denying the allegations and describing its anti-corruption policy. While an official Walmart report states that it had found no evidence of corruption, the article alleges that previous internal reports had indeed turned up such evidence before the story became public.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/lydiadishman/2012/04/22/walmart-in-mexico/ |title = What Walmart Might Do With Allegations of Bribery in Mexico |author = Lydia Dishman |date = April 22, 2012 |accessdate = April 23, 2012 |work = [[Forbes]] |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120423132905/http://www.forbes.com/sites/lydiadishman/2012/04/22/walmart-in-mexico/ |archivedate = April 23, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine contributor Adam Hartung also commented that the bribery scandal was a reflection of Walmart's "serious management and strategy troubles", stating, "[s]candals are now commonplace{{nbsp}}... [e]ach scandal points out that Walmart's strategy is harder to navigate and is running into big problems".<ref>{{cite news |last = Hartung |first = Adam |title = WalMart's Mexican Bribery Scandal Will Sink It Like an Iceberg Sank the Titanic |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2012/04/26/walmarts-mexican-bribery-scandal-will-sink-it-like-the-icerberg-sank-the-titanic/ |work = Forbes |accessdate = July 2, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120703221317/http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2012/04/26/walmarts-mexican-bribery-scandal-will-sink-it-like-the-icerberg-sank-the-titanic/ |archivedate = July 3, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In 2012, there was an incident with CJ's Seafood, a crawfish processing firm in Louisiana that was partnered with Walmart, that eventually gained media attention for the mistreatment of its 40 H-2B visa workers from Mexico. These workers experienced harsh living conditions in tightly packed trailers outside of the work facility, physical threats, verbal abuse and were forced to work day-long shifts. Many of the workers were afraid to take action about the abuse due to the fact that the manager threatened the lives of their family members in the U.S. and Mexico if the abuse were to be reported. Eight of the workers confronted management at CJ's Seafood about the mistreatment; however, the management denied the abuse allegations and the workers went on strike. The workers then took their stories to Walmart due to their partnership with CJ's. While Walmart was investigating the situation, the workers collected 150,000 signatures of supporters who agreed that Walmart should stand by the workers and take action. In June 2012, the visa workers held a protest and day-long hunger strike outside of the apartment building where a Walmart board member resided. Following this protest, Walmart announced its final decision to no longer work with CJ's Seafood. Less than a month later, the Department of Labor fined CJ's Seafood "approximately $460,000 in back-pay, safety violations, wage and hour violations, civil damages and fines for abuses to the H-2B program. The company has since shut down."<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/mexican-guest-workers-gain-walmart-federal-response-louisiana-usa-2012 |title = Mexican guest workers gain Walmart, federal response, Louisiana, USA, 2012 |last = Capron |first = Chistopher |date = November 11, 2012 |website = Global Nonviolent Action Database |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170929000345/https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/mexican-guest-workers-gain-walmart-federal-response-louisiana-usa-2012 |archive-date = September 29, 2017 |dead-url = no |access-date = September 28, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
{{As of|2012|December|df=US|post=,}} internal investigations were ongoing into possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.<ref name="NYT121712">{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/business/walmart-bribes-teotihuacan.html |title = The Bribery Aisle: How Wal-Mart Got Its Way in Mexico |work = The New York Times |date = December 17, 2012 |accessdate = April 29, 2013 |author1 = Barstow, David |author2 = von Bertrab, Alejandra Xanic |authorlink1 = David Barstow |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130322234030/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/business/walmart-bribes-teotihuacan.html |archivedate = March 22, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart has invested {{US$|99{{nbsp}}million}} on internal investigations, which expanded beyond Mexico to implicate operations in China, Brazil, and India.<ref name="Clifford 12">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart inquiry relects alarm on corruption |last1 = Clifford |first1 = Stephanie |last2 = Barnstow |first2 = David |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/business/wal-mart-expands-foreign-bribery-investigation.html |newspaper = The New York Times |date = November 15, 2012 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150925051846/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/business/wal-mart-expands-foreign-bribery-investigation.html |archivedate = September 25, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="Brown 12">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart bribery probe expands past Mexico to Brazil, China and India |last1 = Brown |first1 = Abram |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2012/11/15/probe-into-wal-mart-bribery-past-mexico-to-brazil-china-and-india/#6973d1417561 |magazine = Forbes |date = November 15, 2012 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304132316/http://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2012/11/15/probe-into-wal-mart-bribery-past-mexico-to-brazil-china-and-india/#6973d1417561 |archivedate = March 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The case has added fuel to the debate as to whether foreign investment will result in increased prosperity, or if it merely allows local retail trade and economic policy to be taken over by "foreign financial and corporate interests".<ref name="Sharma 12">{{cite news |title = India government agency probes Wal-Mart investments |last1 = Sharma |first1 = Malavika |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-12-05/india-government-agency-probes-wal-mart-investments |magazine = Bloomberg |date = December 5, 2012 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160314064550/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-12-05/india-government-agency-probes-wal-mart-investments |archivedate = March 14, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="NYTIndia">{{cite news |last1 = Thirani |first1 = Neha |last2 = Kumar |first2 = Hari |title = Fact-Checking the F.D.I. Debates |url = http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/07/fact-checking-the-f-d-i-debates/ |accessdate = December 28, 2012 |newspaper = The New York Times / International Herald Tribune |date = December 7, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121212010207/http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/07/fact-checking-the-f-d-i-debates/ |archivedate = December 12, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== Sam's Club ===
{{Main|Sam's Club}}
[[File:Sam's Club store.jpg|thumb|The Sam's Club store in [[Maplewood, Missouri]]|alt=Store front of a sam's club store in Maplewood, Missouri]]
'''Sam's Club''' is a chain of [[warehouse club]]s that sell groceries and [[general merchandise]], often in bulk. The first Sam's Club was opened by Walmart, Inc. in 1983 in [[Midwest City, Oklahoma]]<ref name="aboutsamsclub">{{cite web|url=http://pressroom.samsclub.com/content/?id=3&atg=524|title=About Sam's Club|publisher=Sam's Club|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328175957/http://pressroom.samsclub.com/content/?id=3&atg=524|archive-date=March 28, 2007|dead-url=yes|accessdate=November 1, 2007}}</ref> under the name "Sam's Wholesale Club". The chain was named after its founder Sam Walton. As of January 2018, Sam's Club operated 597 membership warehouse clubs and accounted for about 13% of Walmart's revenue.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-11/sam-s-club-closes-series-of-locations-on-same-day-as-wage-hike|title=Wal-Mart Closes Multiple Sam's Club Locations on the Same Day It Hiked Wages|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=2018-07-17|language=en}}</ref> John Furner has been the CEO of Sam's Club since early 2017.<ref name="walmart.com" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/wal-mart-names-john-furner-as-sams-club-next-ceo/|title=Wal-Mart names John Furner as Sam's Club next CEO|date=2017-01-06|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=2018-07-17|language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Global eCommerce ===
Based in San Bruno, California, Walmart's Global eCommerce division provides online retailing for Walmart, Sam's Club, Asda, and all other international brands. There are several locations in the United States in California and Oregon: [[San Bruno, California|San Bruno]], [[Sunnyvale, California|Sunnyvale]], [[Brisbane, California|Brisbane]], and [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]. Locations outside of the United States include [[Shanghai]] ([[China]]), [[Leeds]] ([[United Kingdom]]), and [[Bangalore]] (India). Marc Lore is the president and CEO.<ref name="walmart.com"/>
== Subsidiaries ==
=== Vudu ===
[[File:Vudu 2014 logo.svg|thumb|Vudu logo|alt=Blue vudu logo]]
In February 2010, Walmart agreed to buy [[Vudu]], a Silicon Valley start-up whose online movie service is being built into an increasing number of televisions and Blu-ray players. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but a person briefed on the deal said the price for the company, which raised {{US$|60{{nbsp}}million}} in capital, was over {{US$|100{{nbsp}}million}}.<ref name="Stone">{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/technology/23video.html |title = Walmart Buying Vudu Movie Service |date = February 22, 2010 |accessdate = February 23, 2010 |work = The New York Times |first = Brad |last = Stone |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100224130304/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/technology/23video.html |archivedate = February 24, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Vudu is the third-most-popular online movie service, with a market share of 5.3 percent.<ref>{{cite news |last = Bustillo |first = Miguel |title = For Walmart, a Rare Online Success |newspaper = The Wall Street Journal |date = August 29, 2011 |author2 = Talley, Karen |page = B1 }}</ref>
=== Private label brands ===
{{Main|List of Walmart brands}}
About 40 percent of products sold in Walmart are [[private label]] [[store brand]]s, which are produced for the company through contracts with manufacturers. Walmart began offering private label brands in 1991, with the launch of [[Sam's Choice]], a line of drinks produced by [[Cott]] Beverages for Walmart. Sam's Choice quickly became popular and by 1993, was the third-most-popular beverage brand in the United States.<ref name="samschoice">{{cite news |url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n19_v32/ai_14495621 |title = Sam's Choice Climbs Beverage Brand List – Walmart's Sam's American Choice Beverage Brand |work = Discount Store News |date = October 4, 1993 |accessdate = April 20, 2007 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070624152410/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n19_v32/ai_14495621 |archivedate = June 24, 2007 |df = }}</ref> Other Walmart brands include Great Value and Equate in the U.S. and Canada and Smart Price in Britain. A 2006 study talked of "the magnitude of mind-share Walmart appears to hold in the shoppers' minds when it comes to the awareness of private label brands and retailers."<ref>{{cite web |author = Reyes, Sonia |url = http://www.pbmproducts.com/press.aspx?ID=183 |title = Study: Walmart Private Brands Are Catching On |date = August 21, 2006 |accessdate = December 16, 2012 |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6Cwkubv4f?url=http://www.pbmproducts.com/press.aspx?ID=183 |archivedate = December 16, 2012 |deadurl = yes |df = }}</ref>
=== Entertainment ===
In 2010, the company teamed with [[Procter & Gamble]] to produce ''[[Secrets of the Mountain]]'' and ''[[The Jensen Project]]'', two-hour family movies which featured the characters using Walmart and Procter & Gamble-branded products. ''The Jensen Project'' also featured a preview of a product to be released in several months in Walmart stores.<ref>{{cite web |title = Walmart Pushing Limited $199 Kinect Pre-Order Bundle |url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/201049/walmart_pushing_limited_199_kinect_preorder_bundle.html |work = PCWorld |accessdate = July 18, 2010 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100718104454/http://www.pcworld.com/article/201049/walmart_pushing_limited_199_kinect_preorder_bundle.html |archivedate = July 18, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="la times review">{{cite news |title = Television review: 'The Jensen Project' |url = http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/16/entertainment/la-et-jensen-project-20100716 |accessdate = July 16, 2010 |newspaper = Los Angeles Times |date = July 16, 2010 |first1 = Mary |last1 = McNamara |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100719233456/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/16/entertainment/la-et-jensen-project-20100716 |archivedate = July 19, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> A third movie, ''[[A Walk in My Shoes]]'', also aired in 2010 and a fourth is in production.{{When|date=November 2012}}<ref>{{cite web |title = Second P&G Family Friendly Movie Airs July 16 On NBC |last = Kiesewette |first = John |url = http://cincinnati.com/blogs/tv/2010/07/09/second-pg-family-friendly-movie-airs-july-16-on-nbc/ |work = [[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |accessdate = July 9, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100713045542/http://cincinnati.com/blogs/tv/2010/07/09/second-pg-family-friendly-movie-airs-july-16-on-nbc/ |archive-date = July 13, 2010 }}</ref> Walmart's director of brand marketing also serves as co-chair of the [[Association of National Advertisers]]'s Alliance for Family Entertainment.<ref>{{cite news |last = Stanley |first = T.L. |title = Advertisers earmark $10 million for family-friendly TV |url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/06/advertisers-earmark-10-million-for-familyfriendly-tv.html |newspaper = Los Angeles Times |date = June 22, 2010 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202175736/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/06/advertisers-earmark-10-million-for-familyfriendly-tv.html |archivedate = February 2, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== Online commerce acquisitions and plans ===
In September 2016, Walmart purchased [[e-commerce]] company [[Jet.com]], founded in 2014 by [[Marc Lore]], to start competing with Amazon.com. Jet.com has acquired its own share of online retailers such as [[Hayneedle]] in March 2016, Shoebuy.com in December 2016, and [[ModCloth]] in March 2017. In New York where, as of 2018, Jet operates, Parcel, a delivery service,<ref name="NYT12514">{{cite news |author1=Jonah Engel Bromwich |title=By Text, a Package Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/nyregion/an-app-that-collects-and-delivers-packages.html |accessdate=September 17, 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=December 5, 2014}}</ref> was acquired September 29, 2017.<ref name="NYT9162018">{{cite news |author1=Michael Corkery |title=Walmart Finally Makes It to the Big Apple |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/16/business/walmart-jet-nyc.html |accessdate=September 17, 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=September 16, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Walmart91718">{{cite web |title=Walmart Announces the Acquisition of Parcel, a Technology-Based, Same-Day and Last-Mile Delivery Company |url=https://corporate.walmart.com/article/walmart-announces-the-acquisition-of-parcel-a-technology-based-same-day-and-last-mile-delivery-company |website=corporate.walmart.com |publisher=Walmart |accessdate=September 17, 2018}}</ref>
On February 15, 2017, Walmart acquired [[Moosejaw]], an online active outdoor retailer, for approximately $51 million. Moosejaw brought with it partnerships with more than 400 brands, including [[Patagonia (clothing)|Patagonia]], [[The North Face]], [[Marmot (company)|Marmot]], and [[Arc'teryx]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/lauraheller/2017/02/15/take-that-amazon-walmart-buys-moosejaw-for-51-million/ |title = Take That Amazon: Walmart Buys Moosejaw For $51 Million |last = Heller |first = Laura |accessdate = February 22, 2017 |date = February 15, 2017 |publisher = Forbes |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170223051021/http://www.forbes.com/sites/lauraheller/2017/02/15/take-that-amazon-walmart-buys-moosejaw-for-51-million/ |archivedate = February 23, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
[[Marc Lore]], Walmart's U.S. e-commerce CEO, said that Walmart's existing physical infrastructure of almost 5,000 stores around the U.S. will enhance their digital expansion by doubling as warehouses for e-commerce without increasing overhead.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nusca|first1=Andrew|title=5 Moves Walmart Is Making to Compete With Amazon and Target|url=http://fortune.com/2017/09/27/5-moves-walmart-is-making-to-compete-with-amazon-and-target/|accessdate=December 8, 2017|work=Fortune|date=September 27, 2017}}</ref> {{As of|2017|post=,}} Walmart offers in-store pickup for online orders at 1,000 stores with plans to eventually expand the service to all of its stores.<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/wal-mart-takes-aim-at-amazon-1508811540 Wal-Mart Takes Aim at Amazon] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024235435/https://www.wsj.com/articles/wal-mart-takes-aim-at-amazon-1508811540 |date=October 24, 2017 }}, WSJ, published October 23, 2017</ref>
On May 9, 2018, Walmart announced its intent to acquire a 77% controlling stake in the Indian e-commerce website [[Flipkart]] for $16 billion<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/09/walmart-agrees-deal-to-buy-a-majority-stake-in-indias-flipkart.html|title=Walmart agrees to a $16 billion deal to buy a majority stake in India's Flipkart|last=Browne|first=Ryan|date=2018-05-09|work=CNBC|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> (beating bids by Amazon.com), subject to regulatory approval. Following its completion, the website's management will report to Marc Lore.<ref name="Walmart-Inc-May-2018-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/859/10416918000038/filing-main.htm |title=Walmart Inc, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date May 9, 2018 |publisher=secdatabase.com |accessdate =May 10, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44050180|title=Walmart wins battle for India's Flipkart|date=2018-05-09|work=BBC News|access-date=2018-05-09|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/walmart-acquires-flipkart-for-16-bn-worlds-largest-ecommerce-deal/articleshow/64095145.cms|title=Walmart acquires Flipkart for $16 bn, world's largest ecommerce deal|date=2018-05-09|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-05-09}}</ref> Completion of the deal was announced on August 18, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/walmart-completes-deal-to-acquire-77-stake-in-flipkart-to-invest-2-billion/articleshow/65454382.cms|title=Walmart completes deal to acquire 77% stake in Flipkart, to invest $2 billion - Times of India|publisher=|accessdate=18 August 2018}}</ref>
== Corporate affairs ==
[[File:Walmart Home Office sign.jpg|thumb|Home office in [[Bentonville, Arkansas|Bentonville]], [[Arkansas]]|alt=Home office with American flag in Bentonville, Arkansas]]
Walmart is headquartered in the Walmart Home Office complex in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company's [[business model]] is based on selling a wide variety of general merchandise at low prices.<ref name="2015 Annual Report Page 19" /> Doug McMillon became Walmart's CEO on February 1, 2014. He has also worked as the head of Sam's Club and Walmart International.<ref name="O'Keefe 15">{{cite news |title = The man who's reinventing Walmart |last1 = O'Keefe |first1 = Brian |last2 = |first2 = |url = http://fortune.com/2015/06/04/walmart-ceo-doug-mcmillon/ |magazine = Fortune magazine |date = June 4, 2015 |accessdate = July 21, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150717074806/http://fortune.com/2015/06/04/walmart-ceo-doug-mcmillon/ |archivedate = July 17, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The company refers to its employees as "associates". All Walmart stores in the U.S. and Canada also have designated "greeters" at the entrance, a practice pioneered by Sam Walton and later imitated by other retailers. Greeters are trained to help shoppers find what they want and answer their questions.<ref name="Kendall_Gerald_I">{{cite book |last = Kendall |first = Gerald I. |title = Securing the future: strategies for exponential growth using the theory of constraints. |year = 1998 |publisher = [[CRC Press]] |location = Boca Raton, Florida |isbn = 1-57444-197-3 |page = 106 |url = https://books.google.com/?id=KgjTUtVixroC&pg=PA106&dq=walmart+greeter#v=onepage&q&f=false |accessdate = March 3, 2016 }}</ref>
For many years, associates were identified in the store by their signature blue vest, but this practice was discontinued in June 2007 and replaced with khaki pants and polo shirts. The wardrobe change was part of a larger corporate overhaul to increase sales and rejuvenate the company's stock price.<ref name="replace_blue_vests">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart Replaces Blue Vests |url = http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3288829 |accessdate = June 28, 2011 |publisher = [[ABC News]] |date = June 18, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120124055431/http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3288829 |archivedate = January 24, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In September 2014, the uniform was again updated to bring back a vest (paid for by the company) for store employees over the same polos and khaki or black pants paid for by the employee. The vest is navy blue for Walmart employees at Supercenters and discount stores, lime green for Walmart Neighborhood Market employees and yellow for self check out associates; door greeters and customer service managers. Both state "Proud Walmart Associate" on the left breast and the "Spark" logo covering the back.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = SANCHEZ |first1 = KARIZZA |title = Walmart Employees Are Pissed About the Company's Swagless New Dress Code |url = http://www.complex.com/style/2014/09/walmart-employees-not-happy-with-new-dress-code |accessdate = March 29, 2015 |work = Complex |date = September 2, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150408004424/http://www.complex.com/style/2014/09/walmart-employees-not-happy-with-new-dress-code |archivedate = April 8, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Reportedly one of the main reasons the vest was reintroduced was that some customers had trouble identifying employees.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Lanning |first1 = Curt |title = Walmart Changes Up Dress Code For Employees |url = http://5newsonline.com/2014/09/05/walmart-changes-up-dress-code-for-employees/ |accessdate = March 29, 2015 |work = 5 News Online |agency = KFSM |date = September 5, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150111233733/http://5newsonline.com/2014/09/05/walmart-changes-up-dress-code-for-employees/ |archivedate = January 11, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2016, self-checkout associates, door greeters and customer service managers began wearing a yellow vest to be better seen by customers. By requiring employees to wear uniforms that are made up of standard "street wear", Walmart is not required to purchase or reimbursement employees which is required in some states, as long as that clothing can be worn elsewhere. Businesses are only legally required to pay for branded shirts and pants or clothes that would be difficult to wear outside of work.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Berman |first1 = Jillian |title = Walmart Workers Complain They Can't Afford New Dress Code |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/09/walmart-dress-code_n_5792224.html |accessdate = March 29, 2015 |work = The Huffington Post |publisher = TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. |date = September 10, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150403092448/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/09/walmart-dress-code_n_5792224.html |archivedate = April 3, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Unlike many other retailers, Walmart does not charge [[slotting fee]]s to suppliers for their products to appear in the store.<ref name="nelson">{{cite web |author = Nelson, Emily |url = http://www.columbia.edu/~ss957/media_ref_pages/TooManyChoices.html |title = Too Many Choices – Nine Kinds of Kleenex Tissue, Eggo Waffles in 16 Flavors: Blame Brand Managers |work = The Wall Street Journal |date = April 20, 2001 |accessdate = August 1, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060503002041/http://www.columbia.edu/~ss957/media_ref_pages/TooManyChoices.html |archivedate = May 3, 2006 |df = }}</ref> Instead, it focuses on selling more-popular products and provides incentives for store managers to drop unpopular products.<ref name="nelson" />
On September 14, 2006, the company announced that it would phase out its [[layaway]] program, citing declining use and increased costs.<ref>Staff Writer. [http://www.walmartfacts.com/articles/4438.aspx Wal-Mart Will Phase Out Layaway Program"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061130162309/http://www.walmartfacts.com/articles/4438.aspx |date=November 30, 2006 }}, Wal-Mart. September 14, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2006.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/_news_/news-archive/2006/11/29/minnesota-based-mississippi-valley-fruit-company-teams-with-wal-mart-to-celebrate-americas-farmers |title = Minnesota-Based Mississippi Valley Fruit Company Teams with Wal-Mart to Celebrate America's Farmers |accessdate = June 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160625014851/http://corporate.walmart.com/_news_/news-archive/2006/11/29/minnesota-based-mississippi-valley-fruit-company-teams-with-wal-mart-to-celebrate-americas-farmers |archivedate = June 25, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Layaway ceased on November 19, 2006, and required merchandise pickup by December 8, 2006. Walmart now focuses on other payment options, such as increased use of six- and twelve-month, zero-interest financing. The layaway location in most stores is now used for Walmart's Site-To-Store program, which was introduced in March 2007. This enables ''walmart.com'' customers to buy goods online with a free shipping option, and have goods shipped to the nearest store for pickup.<ref name="site-to-store">{{cite web |author = McCarthy, Caroline |url = http://www.news.com/2110-1030_3-6164619.html |title = Free Shipping from Walmart.com ... with Store Pickup |publisher = [[CNET]] |date = March 6, 2007 |accessdate = November 1, 2007 }}</ref> Walmart continues to offer seasonal Layaway on select categories from late summer through early Christmas and year-round in their jewelry department.
On September 15, 2017, Walmart announced that it would build a new headquarters in Bentonville to replace its current 1971 building and consolidate operations that have spread out to 20 different buildings throughout Bentonville.<ref>{{cite web |title = Wal-Mart reveals new headquarter plans |url = http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2017/sep/15/wal-mart-reveals-new-headquarter-plans/ |website = Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette |accessdate = September 15, 2017 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170915232820/http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2017/sep/15/wal-mart-reveals-new-headquarter-plans/ |archivedate = September 15, 2017 |date = September 15, 2017 }}</ref>
=== Finance and governance ===
For the [[fiscal year]] ending January 31, 2015, Walmart reported [[net income]] of {{US$|17{{nbsp}}billion}} on $485.7{{nbsp}}billion of revenue. The company's international operations accounted for $197.7{{nbsp}}billion, or 40.7 percent, of sales.<ref name="Form10K">{{cite web |title = Wal-Mart Form 10K: Portions of Annual Report to Shareholders |url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000010416915000011/wmtform10-kx13115.htm |publisher = United States Securities and Exchange Commission |accessdate = December 25, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20151025155844/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000010416915000011/wmtform10-kx13115.htm |archivedate = October 25, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart is the world's 18th-largest public corporation, according to the [[Forbes Global 2000]] list, and the largest public corporation when ranked by revenue.<ref name="forbes_global_2000">{{cite news |title = The World's Biggest Public Companies |url = https://www.forbes.com/global2000/list |accessdate = June 28, 2011 |newspaper = Forbes |date = April 2011 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110630031717/http://www.forbes.com/global2000/list |archivedate = June 30, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Walmart is governed by a fifteen-member board of directors elected annually by [[shareholder]]s. [[Gregory B. Penner]], son-in-law of [[S. Robson Walton]] and the grandson-in-law of Sam Walton, serves as [[chairman]] of the board. Doug McMillon serves as president and chief executive officer. Members of the board include [[Aída Álvarez]], [[Jim Breyer]], [[M. Michele Burns]], [[James Cash, Jr.|James Cash]], [[Roger Corbett]], [[Douglas Daft]], [[David Glass (businessman)|David Glass]], [[Marissa Mayer]], Allen Questrom, Arne M. Sorenson, [[Jim Walton]], S. Robson Walton, Christopher J. Williams, and Linda S. Wolf.<ref name="Form10K" /><ref name="Sorkin_Rusli">{{cite news |last = Sorkin, Andrew R. |author2 = Rusli, Evelyn M. |title = A Yahoo Search Calls Up a Chief From Google. |url = https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/07/16/googles-marissa-mayer-tapped-as-yahoos-chief/ |accessdate = July 20, 2012 |newspaper = The New York Times |date = July 16, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120720011353/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/07/16/googles-marissa-mayer-tapped-as-yahoos-chief/ |archivedate = July 20, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Notable former members of the board include [[Hillary Clinton]] (1985–1992)<ref>{{cite web |author = Harkavy, Ward |url = http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0021,harkavy,15052,5.html |title = Wal-Mart's First Lady |work = [[The Village Voice]] |date = May 24, 2000 |accessdate = August 3, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050301202725/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0021%2Charkavy%2C15052%2C5.html |archive-date = March 1, 2005 |deadurl = yes |df = }}</ref> and [[Tom Coughlin (Walmart executive)|Tom Coughlin]] (2003–2004), the latter having served as vice chairman. Clinton left the board before the [[United States presidential election, 1992|1992 U.S. presidential election]], and Coughlin left in December 2005 after pleading guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Walmart.<ref>{{cite news |author = Boulden, Jennifer |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=a574eQ1zemuk&refer=top_world_news |title = Wal-Mart Former Vice Chairman Coughlin Admits Fraud |magazine = Bloomberg |date = January 31, 2006 |accessdate = August 3, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080712173022/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=a574eQ1zemuk&refer=top_world_news |archivedate = July 12, 2008 }}</ref> On August 11, 2006, he was sentenced to 27 months' home confinement and five years of probation, and ordered to pay $411,000 in restitution.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://batterys.over-blog.com/article-wal-mart-stores-inc-85031463.html |title = Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. |accessdate = December 19, 2012 |author = Samedi |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117025424/http://batterys.over-blog.com/article-wal-mart-stores-inc-85031463.html |archivedate = January 17, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
After Sam Walton's death in 1992, Don Soderquist, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice Chairman, became known as the "Keeper of the Culture".<ref name="Soderquist_Donald">{{Cite journal |title = The Wal-mart Way: The Inside Story of the Success of the World's Largest Company |author = Soderquist, Donald |edition = 2nd |date = April 19, 2005 |isbn = 978-0-7852-6119-3 |publisher = [[Thomas Nelson (publisher)|Thomas Nelson]] }}</ref>
=== Ownership ===
Walmart Inc. is a [[joint-stock company]] registered with the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]. {{As of|2017|March|df=US|post=,}}<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/217476/999999999717001550/9999999997-17-001550-index.htm |title = No Action Letter 2017 |last = WALMART STORES |first = |date = |website = SEC Edgar |access-date = |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170305115038/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/217476/999999999717001550/9999999997-17-001550-index.htm |archivedate = March 5, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> it has 3,292,377,090 outstanding shares. These are held mainly by the [[Walton family]], a number of [[Institutional investor|institutions]] and [[Mutual fund|funds]].<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000130817913000238/lwalmart_def14a.htm#_N1576F |title = WALMART – DEF 14A |website = www.sec.gov |access-date = March 4, 2017 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170305115146/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000130817913000238/lwalmart_def14a.htm#_N1576F |archivedate = March 5, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/WMT/holders?p=WMT|title=WMT Major Holders {{!}} Insider Transactions {{!}} Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Stock – Yahoo Finance|website=finance.yahoo.com|language=en-US|access-date=March 4, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305115223/https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/WMT/holders?p=WMT|archivedate=March 5, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* 43.00% (1,415,891,131): [[Walton family|Walton Enterprises]] LLC
* 5.30% (174,563,205): [[Walton family|Walton Family]] Holdings Trust<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2016/annual/Proxy-Statement.pdf?p=75 |title = 2016 Notice of Annual Shareholders' Meeting and Proxy Statement |last = Walmart |first = |date = June 3, 2016 |website = |page = 75 |access-date = March 5, 2017 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170306131032/http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2016/annual/Proxy-Statement.pdf?p=75 |archivedate = March 6, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
* 3.32% (102,036,399): [[The Vanguard Group]], Inc
* 2.37% (72,714,226): [[State Street Corporation]]
* 1.37% (42,171,892): [[BlackRock]] Institutional Trust Company
* 0.94% (28,831,721): [[The Vanguard Group|Vanguard]] Total Stock Market Index Fund
* 0.77% (23,614,578): [[BlackRock]] Fund Advisors
* 0.71% (21,769,126): [[Dodge & Cox]] Inc
* 0.68% (20,978,727): [[The Vanguard Group|Vanguard]] 500 Index Fund
* 0.65% (20,125,838): [[Bank of America]] Corporation
* 0.57% (17,571,058): [[The Bank of New York Mellon|Bank of New York Mellon]] Corporation
* 0.57% (17,556,128): [[Northern Trust]] Corporation
* 0.55% (16,818,165): [[The Vanguard Group|Vanguard]] Institutional Index Fund-Institutional Index Fund
* 0.55% (16,800,850): [[State Farm Insurance|State Farm]] Mutual Automobile Insurance Co
* 0.52% (15,989,827): [[SPDR]] S&P 500 ETF Trust
=== Competition ===
In North America, Walmart's primary competitors include [[grocery store]]s and [[department store]]s like [[Aldi]], [[Kmart]], [[Kroger]], [[Ingles]], [[Publix]], [[Target Corporation|Target]], [[Harris Teeter]], [[Shopko]], and [[Meijer]], and [[Winn Dixie]], Canada's The [[Real Canadian Superstore]], [[Sobeys]] and [[Giant Tiger]], and Mexico's [[Comercial Mexicana]] and [[Soriana]]. Competitors of Walmart's Sam's Club division are [[Costco]] and the smaller [[BJ's Wholesale Club]] chain. Walmart's move into the grocery business in the late 1990s set it against major supermarket chains in both the United States and Canada. Several smaller retailers, primarily [[Variety store|dollar stores]], such as [[Family Dollar]] and [[Dollar General]], have been able to find a small niche market and compete successfully against Walmart.<ref>{{cite news |author = Stilgoe, John |url = http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2003/11/23/wal_mart_giant_can_be_tamed |title = Wal-Mart Giant Can Be Tamed |work = The Boston Globe |date = November 23, 2003 |accessdate = January 11, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070328010529/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2003/11/23/wal_mart_giant_can_be_tamed/ |archivedate = March 28, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2004, Walmart responded by testing its own dollar store concept, a subsection of some stores called "Pennies-n-Cents."<ref>{{cite web |author = Berner, Robert |url = http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_19/b3882086.htm |title = Out-Discounting the Discounter |work = BusinessWeek |date = May 10, 2004 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120629083316/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_19/b3882086.htm |archivedate = June 29, 2012 }}</ref>
Walmart also had to face fierce competition in some foreign markets. For example, in Germany it had captured just 2{{nbsp}}percent of the German food market following its entry into the market in 1997 and remained "a secondary player" behind [[Aldi]] with 19{{nbsp}}percent.<ref name="Struggling In Germany">{{cite web |author = Ewing, Jack |url = http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_15/b3928086_mz054.htm |title = Wal-Mart: Struggling in Germany |work = BusinessWeek |date = April 11, 2005 |accessdate = July 27, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060813111855/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_15/b3928086_mz054.htm |archivedate = August 13, 2006 }}</ref> Walmart continues to do well in the UK, where its Asda subsidiary is the second-largest retailer.<ref name="A Bumpy Ride in Europe">{{cite news |author = Fairlamb, David |author2 = Laura Cohn |url = http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_40/b3852011_mz001.htm |title = A Bumpy Ride in Europe = |work = BusinessWeek |date = October 6, 2003 |accessdate = July 27, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060829135641/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_40/b3852011_mz001.htm |archivedate = August 29, 2006 }}</ref>
In May 2006, after entering the South Korean market in 1998, Walmart sold all 16{{nbsp}}of its South Korean outlets to [[Shinsegae]], a local retailer, for {{US$|882{{nbsp}}million}}. Shinsegae re-branded the Walmarts as [[E-mart]] stores.<ref name="NYT_wmt_skorea">{{cite news |author = Sang-Hun, Choe |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/23/business/worldbusiness/23shop.html |title = Wal-Mart Selling Stores and Leaving South Korea |work = The New York Times |date = May 23, 2006 |accessdate = December 2, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090424182423/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/23/business/worldbusiness/23shop.html |archivedate = April 24, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Walmart struggled to export its brand elsewhere as it rigidly tried to reproduce its model overseas. In China, Walmart hopes to succeed by adapting and doing things preferable to Chinese citizens. For example, it found that Chinese consumers preferred to select their own live fish and seafood; stores began displaying the meat uncovered and installed fish tanks, leading to higher sales.<ref name="China_reinvent">{{cite web |url = http://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/walmart-low-prices-big-numbers/ |title = Walmart: Low Prices, Big Numbers |publisher = IndustryLeaders |accessdate = December 16, 2012 |author = Ann, Carrie |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CwmGVwgZ?url=http://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/walmart-low-prices-big-numbers/ |archivedate = December 16, 2012 |deadurl = no }}</ref>
=== Customer base ===
Walmart customers cite low prices as the most important reason for shopping there.<ref name="nytmorethanprice">{{cite news |author = Barbaro, Michael |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/02/business/02walmart.html |title = It's Not Only about Price at Wal-Mart |work = The New York Times |date = March 2, 2007 |accessdate = April 3, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080307092045/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/02/business/02walmart.html |archivedate = March 7, 2008 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The average U.S. Walmart customer's income is below the national average.<ref name="walmart2006" /> A 2006 Walmart report also indicated that Walmart customers are sensitive to higher utility costs and gas prices.<ref name="walmart2006">{{cite web |url = http://companies.jrank.org/pages/4721/Wal-Mart-De-Mexico-S-De-C-V.html |title = Wal Mart De Mexico, S.A. De C.V. Business Information, Profile, and History |publisher = Jrank |accessdate = December 19, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121224235631/http://companies.jrank.org/pages/4721/Wal-Mart-De-Mexico-S-De-C-V.html |archivedate = December 24, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> A poll indicated that after the [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004 US presidential election]], 76{{nbsp}}percent of voters who shopped at Walmart once a week voted for [[George W. Bush]] while only 23 percent supported senator [[John Kerry]].<ref name="zogbypoll">{{cite web |url = http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2012-11-23-4#.UM1ok-Oe9uo |title = Group protests at local Walmart |accessdate = December 16, 2012 |author = Gardner, Sheldon |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121201145953/http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2012-11-23-4#.UM1ok-Oe9uo |archivedate = December 1, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> When measured against similar retailers in the U.S., frequent Walmart shoppers were rated the most politically [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]].<ref>{{cite news |author = Birchall, Jonathan |author2 = Yeager, Holly |title = A Purchase on Psephology |publisher = ''Financial Times'' |date = August 17, 2006 |page = 9 |edition = US }}</ref> Thus, {{as of|2014|lc=y|post=,}} the "majority (54{{nbsp}}percent) [of] Americans who prefer shopping at Walmart report that they oppose [[same-sex marriage]], while 40 percent are in favor of it."<ref>{{cite web |url = http://publicreligion.org/2014/08/targets-support-for-same-sex-marriage-mirrors-customers-views/ |title = Target's Support for Same-sex Marriage Mirrors Customers' Views |last = Cox |first = Daniel |date = August 7, 2014 |publisher = Public Religion Research Institute |accessdate = August 15, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140812090145/http://publicreligion.org/2014/08/targets-support-for-same-sex-marriage-mirrors-customers-views/ |archivedate = August 12, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Due to its prominence in the [[Bible Belt]], Walmart is known for its "tradition of tailoring its service to churchgoing customers".<ref name="Gilgoff">{{cite news |url = http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/24/7-religious-companies-besides-chick-fil-a/ |title = 9 religious companies (besides Chick-fil-A) |last = Gilgoff |first = Dan |date = July 24, 2012 |publisher = CNN |accessdate = April 13, 2014 |quote = And the company's Arkansas roots helped sensitize it to the shopping habits of churchgoers. It helps explain why Walmart long carries the kind of Christian books that were once the exclusive province of Christian bookstores. "You don't find those kinds of things in J.C. Penney," Lambert says. But Walmart has been so successful with such material that it's now become a business threat to Christian booksellers. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140205051508/http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/24/7-religious-companies-besides-chick-fil-a/ |archivedate = February 5, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="Sellers">{{cite web |url = http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/may/17.40.html |title = Deliver Us from Wal-Mart? |last = Sellers |first = Jeff M. |date = April 22, 2005 |publisher = [[Christianity Today]] |accessdate = April 13, 2014 |quote = Indeed, based in the Bible Belt town of Bentonville, Arkansas, Wal-Mart has a tradition of tailoring its service to churchgoing customers. It sells only the sanitized versions of hip-hop cds bearing warnings of objectionable content. Responding to a campaign by the largest evangelical mutual fund group, The Timothy Plan, to keep Cosmopolitan magazine covers out of view of Wal-Mart customers, the company slapped plastic sheathes over suggestive women's periodicals and banned "lad mags" such as Maxim. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140107233259/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/may/17.40.html |archivedate = January 7, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart only carries [[Censorship of music|clean versions]] of hip-hop [[Compact Disc|audio CDs]] and in cooperation with [[The Timothy Plan]], places "plastic sheathes over suggestive women's periodicals and banned 'lad mags' such as [[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]" magazine.<ref name="Gilgoff" /><ref name="Sellers" /> In addition, Walmart also caters to its Christian customer base by selling [[Christian media|Christian books and media]],<ref name="Gilgoff" /><ref name="Collidge">{{cite news |url = https://www.forbes.com/2003/09/15/cz_cc_0915wmt.html |title = David Vs. Goliath |last = Coolidge |first = Carrie |date = September 15, 2012 |publisher = Forbes |accessdate = April 13, 2014 |quote = Wal-Mart Stores has seen the light. The world's biggest retailer has discovered Christian-themed merchandise is one of the fastest-growing categories around. With offerings ranging from best-selling books and videos including The Purpose Driven Life and Veggie Tales, Wal-Mart's annual sales from Christian-themed merchandise, which is estimated to already exceed $1 billion annually, is growing at a rapid pace. On a company-wide basis, Wal-Mart now offers 550 different Christian music titles and more than 1,200 Christian book titles. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140413140729/http://www.forbes.com/2003/09/15/cz_cc_0915wmt.html |archivedate = April 13, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> "such as [[VeggieTales]] videos and [[The Purpose-Driven Life]]", which earns the company over {{US$|1{{nbsp}}billion}} annually.<ref name="Collidge" /><ref name="Sellers2">{{cite web |url = http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/may/17.40.html |title = Deliver Us from Wal-Mart? |last = Sellers |first = Jeff M. |date = April 22, 2005 |publisher = Christianity Today |accessdate = April 13, 2014 |quote = In addition, according to Forbes magazine, Wal-Mart has become the largest retailer of Christian-themed merchandise, with well over $1 billion in sales of such items as VeggieTales videos and The Purpose-Driven Life books. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140107233259/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/may/17.40.html |archivedate = January 7, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In 2006, Walmart took steps to expand its U.S. customer base, announcing a modification in its U.S. stores from a "one-size-fits-all" merchandising strategy to one designed to "reflect each of six demographic groups—African-Americans, the affluent, empty-nesters, Hispanics, suburbanites, and rural residents."<ref name="Reuters 06">{{cite news |title = Report: Wal-Mart to adopt new custom-fit retail approach |url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/2006/09/07/report-wal-mart-to-adopt-new-custom-fit-retail-approach.html |agency = Reuters |date = September 7, 2006 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307033321/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2006/09/07/report-wal-mart-to-adopt-new-custom-fit-retail-approach.html |archivedate = March 7, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Around six months later, it unveiled a new slogan:'' "Saving people money so they can live better lives"''. This reflects the three main groups into which Walmart categorizes its 200{{nbsp}}million customers: "brand aspirationals" (people with low incomes who are obsessed with big name brands), "price-sensitive affluents" (wealthier shoppers who love deals), and "value-price shoppers" (people who like low prices and cannot afford much more).<ref name="nytmorethanprice" /> Walmart has also made steps to appeal to more [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]] customers, for example, by rejecting the [[American Family Association]]'s recommendations and carrying the DVD ''[[Brokeback Mountain]]'', a love story between two gay cowboys in Wyoming.<ref name="brokeback">{{cite web |url = https://www.imdb.com/news/sb/2006-04-04/ |title = Wal-Mart Hit by 'Brokeback' Protest |publisher = Imdb |accessdate = December 8, 2012 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070321212405/http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/2006-04-04 |archivedate = March 21, 2007 }}</ref>
=== Technology ===
==== Open source software ====
Many Walmart technology projects are coded in the open and available through the Walmart Labs [[GitHub]] repository<ref>{{cite web |author1 = Alex Grigoryan |url = https://github.com/walmartlabs |website = Github |accessdate = November 4, 2016 |title = Walmart Labs – Github |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170104074304/https://github.com/walmartlabs |archivedate = January 4, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> as [[Open Source]] software under the [[Open Source Initiative|OSI approved]] [[Apache License|Apache V2.0 license]]. {{As of|2016|November|post=,}} 141 public Github projects are listed.
During a migration of the walmart.com retail platform to [[React (JavaScript library)|Facebook React]] and [[Node.js]], the Electrode<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.electrode.io/ |accessdate = November 4, 2016 |title = Introducing Electrode, an open source release from @WalmartLabs |quote = Electrode is a platform for building universal React/Node.js applications with standardized structure, best practices, and modern technologies baked in. Electrode focuses on performance, component reusability, and simple deployment to multiple cloud providers—so you can focus on what makes your app unique. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161104204315/http://www.electrode.io/ |archivedate = November 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> project was created to power the e-commerce platform which serves 80 million visitors per month and 15 million items.
Electrode provides various developer enhancements and tools for the developer including Node.js configuration and feature management.
Alex Grigoryan<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Grigoryan |first1 = Alex |url = https://medium.com/@lexgrigoryan |accessdate = November 4, 2016 |title = Alex Grigoryan – Medium |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161104205902/https://medium.com/@lexgrigoryan |archivedate = November 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> of Walmart Labs released a statement<ref>{{cite web |url = https://medium.com/walmartlabs/introducing-electrode-an-open-source-release-from-walmartlabs-14b836135319#.uvbvyrc0s |website = Medium |accessdate = November 4, 2016 |title = Introducing Electrode, an open source release from @WalmartLabs |quote = In less than one year, Walmart.com has completed its migration to React/Node.js and we are proud of that accomplishment! The goal was to build a new application platform to help @WalmartLabs and its engineers scale for the future. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161104205900/https://medium.com/walmartlabs/introducing-electrode-an-open-source-release-from-walmartlabs-14b836135319#.uvbvyrc0s |archivedate = November 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> on Medium.com on October 3, 2016 explaining the details of the applications and the scale that they operate at Walmart.
==== Big data analytics ====
As the largest retailer in the U.S., Walmart collects and analyzes a large amount of consumer data. The [[big data]] sets are [[Data mining|mined]] for use in [[predictive analytics]], which allow the company to optimize operations by predicting customer's habits. Walmart's [[datacenter]] is unofficially referred to as [[Area 71]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}}
In April 2011, Walmart acquired [[Kosmix]] to develop software for analyzing real-time data streams.<ref>Chris V. Nicholson, ''The New York Times''. "[https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/04/19/wal-mart-buys-social-media-site-kosmix/?_r=0 Wal-Mart Buys Social Media Firm Kosmix] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525042852/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/04/19/wal-mart-buys-social-media-site-kosmix/?_r=0 |date=May 25, 2017 }}." April 19, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2016.</ref> In August 2012, Walmart announced its Polaris search engine.<ref>Sarah Perez, TechCrunch. "[https://techcrunch.com/2012/08/30/in-battle-with-amazon-walmart-unveils-polaris-a-semantic-search-engine-for-products/ In Battle With Amazon, Walmart Unveils Polaris, A Semantic Search Engine For Products] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308134741/https://techcrunch.com/2012/08/30/in-battle-with-amazon-walmart-unveils-polaris-a-semantic-search-engine-for-products/ |date=March 8, 2017 }}." August 30, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2017.</ref>
The amount of data gathered by Walmart has raised privacy concerns.<ref name="nyt1">{{cite news |last = HAYS |first = CONSTANCE L. |title = What Wal-Mart Knows About Customers' Habits |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/14/business/yourmoney/14wal.html |accessdate = November 27, 2013 |newspaper = The New York Times |date = November 14, 2004 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131220044349/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/14/business/yourmoney/14wal.html |archivedate = December 20, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = A CASE STUDY OF WALMART |url = http://centerformediajustice.org/wp-content/files/WALMART_PRIVACY_MR.pdf |publisher = [[Center for Media Justice]] |accessdate = November 27, 2013 |date = November 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005506/http://centerformediajustice.org/wp-content/files/WALMART_PRIVACY_MR.pdf |archive-date = December 3, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Berman |first = Jillian |title = Walmart Now Possesses Info On An Estimated 145 Million Americans: Analysis |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/26/walmart-data_n_4344879.html |publisher = Huffington Post |accessdate = November 27, 2013 |date = November 26, 2013 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131127161035/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/26/walmart-data_n_4344879.html |archivedate = November 27, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
== Charity ==
Sam Walton believed that the company's contribution to society was the fact that it operated efficiently, thereby lowering the [[cost of living]] for customers, and, therefore, in that sense was a "powerful force for good", despite his refusal to contribute cash to philanthropic causes.<ref>{{cite book |last = Lichtenstein |first = Nelson |title = The Retail Revolution: How Wal-Mart Created a Brave New World of Business |url = https://books.google.com/?id=ot0-dSuyF8wC&pg=PA279&lpg=PA279&dq=%E2%80%9CWe+feel+very+strongly,%E2%80%9D+he+wrote,+%E2%80%9Cthat+Wal-Mart+really%C2%A0is+not,+and%C2%A0should+not%C2%A0be,+in+the+charity+business.%E2%80%9D#v=onepage&q=%E2%80%9CWe%20feel%20very%20strongly%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20wrote%2C%20%E2%80%9Cthat%20Wal-Mart%20really%C2%A0is%20not%2C%20and%C2%A0should%20not%C2%A0be%2C%20in%20the%20charity%20business.%E2%80%9D&f=false |publisher = Macmillan |accessdate = August 1, 2013 |page = 279 |date = July 21, 2009 |isbn = 978-1-4299-8971-8 }}</ref> Having begun to feel that his wealth attracted people who wanted nothing more than a "handout", he explained that while he believed his family had been fortunate and wished to use his wealth to aid worthy causes like education, they could not be expected to "solve every personal problem that comes to [their] attention". He explained later in his autobiography, "We feel very strongly that Wal-Mart really is ''not'', and ''should not'' be, in the charity business," stating "any debit has to be passed along to somebody—either shareholders or our customers."<ref>{{cite book |last = Walton |first = Sam |title = Sam Walton: Made In America |url = https://books.google.com/?id=ggN9Kp8UVfwC&pg=PA299&dq=%E2%80%9Cany+undeserving+stranger+a+free+ride%E2%80%9D#v=onepage&q=%E2%80%9Cany%20undeserving%20stranger%20a%20free%20ride%E2%80%9D&f=false |publisher = Random House LLC |accessdate = July 30, 2013 |pages = 299–306 |date = September 12, 2012 |isbn = 978-0-307-76369-3 }}</ref> Since Sam Walton's death in 1992, however, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation dramatically increased charitable giving. For example, in 2005, Walmart donated {{US$|20{{nbsp}}million}} in cash and merchandise for Hurricane Katrina relief. Today, Walmart's charitable donations approach {{US$|1{{nbsp}}billion}} each year.<ref name="Charity Evaluated">{{cite web |last = Featherstone |first = Liza |title = Wal-Mart Charity Evaluated: Critics question company's motives |url = http://reclaimdemocracy.org/walmart-charity/ |publisher = The Nation |accessdate = August 1, 2013 |date = November 21, 2005 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202240/http://reclaimdemocracy.org/walmart-charity/ |archivedate = October 29, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
== Economic impact ==
Kenneth Stone, Professor of Economics at Iowa State University, in a paper published in ''Farm Foundation'' in 1997, found that some small towns can lose almost half of their retail trade within ten years of a Walmart store opening. He compared the changes to previous competitors small town shops have faced in the past—from the development of the railroads and the Sears Roebuck catalog to shopping malls. He concludes that small towns are more affected by "discount mass merchandiser stores" than larger towns and that shop owners who adapt to the ever-changing retail market can "co-exist and even thrive in this type of environment."<ref name="Rural" />
One study found Walmart's entry into a new market has a profound impact on its competition. When a Walmart opens in a new market, median sales drop 40 percent at similar high-volume stores, 17 percent at supermarkets and 6 percent at drugstores, according to a June 2009 study by researchers at several universities and led by the Tuck School of Business at [[Dartmouth College]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0704-soda-wars-20100703,0,5230113.story |title = Wal-Mart Impact: Pop Price War Warns of Wal-Mart Impact for Chicago |author = Julie Wernau |publisher = Chicago Tribune |date = July 4, 2010 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100723082249/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0704-soda-wars-20100703,0,5230113.story |archivedate = July 23, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> A [[Loyola University Chicago]] study suggested that the impact a Walmart store has on a local business is correlated to its distance from that store. The leader of that study admits that this factor is stronger in smaller towns and doesn't apply to more urban areas saying "It'd be so tough to nail down what's up with Wal-Mart".<ref name="wpost">{{cite news |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/22/AR2008062201717.html |title = When Wal-Mart Moves In, Neighborhood Businesses Suffer. Right? |last = Mui |first = Ylan Q. |date = June 23, 2008 |work = The Washington Post |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170525061526/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/22/AR2008062201717.html |archivedate = May 25, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> These findings are underscored by another study conducted in 2009 by the National Bureau of Economics that showed "large, negative effects" for competing businesses within {{convert|5|to|10|mi|0}} of the newly opening big-box retailer. This same study also found that the local retailers experience virtually no benefit.<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Haltiwanger |first1 = John |title = Mom-And-Pop Meet Big Box: Compliments or Substitutes? |url = http://www.nber.org/papers/w15348.pdf |website = National Bureau of Economics |publisher = National Bureau of Economics |accessdate = November 26, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141204173757/http://www.nber.org/papers/w15348.pdf |archivedate = December 4, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart's negative effects on local retailers may be partially explained by studies that find that local firms re-invest nearly 63 percent more of profits in other local businesses compared to chain retailers, as found by the Maine Center of Economic Policy in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Patel |first1 = Amar |title = Going Local |url = http://www.mecep.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MECEP_Report_-_Buying_Local-12-5-2011.pdf |website = Maine Center for Economic Policy |publisher = Maine Center for Economic Policy |accessdate = November 26, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141205164242/http://www.mecep.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MECEP_Report_-_Buying_Local-12-5-2011.pdf |archivedate = December 5, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
David Merriman, Joseph Persky, Julie Davis and Ron Baiman did a study in ''[[Economic Development Quarterly]]'' outlining the impacts of Walmart in [[Chicago]]. The study draws from three annual surveys of enterprises within a four-mile radius of a new Chicago Walmart and it "shows that the probability of going out of business was significantly higher for establishments close to that store". The study illustrated how approximately 300 jobs were lost due to the opening of the store, which is about equivalent to Walmart's employment in the area. The overall findings of this study reinforce the "contention that large-city Walmarts, like those in small towns, absorb retail sales from nearby stores without significantly expanding the market" as this is one of the first studies of Walmarts economic impacts on local economies.<ref>Economic Development Quarterly Vol 26, Issue 4, pp. 321 – 333 First Published September 3, 2012</ref>
* A 2001 [[McKinsey & Company|McKinsey]] Global Institute study of U.S. labor productivity growth between 1995 and 2000 concluded that "Wal-Mart directly and indirectly caused the bulk of the productivity acceleration" in the retail sector.<ref>{{cite web |title = US productivity growth, 1995–2000 |url = http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/mgi/research/productivity_competitiveness_and_growth/us_productivity_growth_1995-2000 |publisher = [[McKinsey & Company|McKinsey]] Global Institute |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CQoZDHTb?url=http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/mgi/research/productivity_competitiveness_and_growth/us_productivity_growth_1995-2000 |archivedate = November 25, 2012 |date = October 2001 }}</ref> [[Robert Solow]], a Nobel laureate in economics and an adviser to the study, stated that "[b]y far the most important factor in that [growth] is Wal-Mart."<ref>{{cite web |last = Ghemawat |first = Pankaj |title = The Real Wal-Mart Effect |url = http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5474.html |publisher = [[Harvard Business School]] |author2 = Ken A. Mark |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CQoha02g?url=http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5474.html |archivedate = November 25, 2012 |date = August 23, 2006 }}</ref>
* The [[Economic Policy Institute]] estimates that between 2001 and 2006, Wal-Mart's trade deficit with China alone eliminated nearly 200,000 U.S. jobs.<ref>{{cite web |author = Clark, Robert E. |date = June 26, 2007 |url = http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/ib235 |title = The Wal-Mart effect: Its Chinese imports have displaced nearly 200,000 U.S. jobs |accessdate = August 2, 2008 }}</ref> Another study at the [[University of Missouri]] found that a new store increases net retail employment in the county by 100 jobs in the short term, half of which disappear over five years as other retail establishments close.<ref>{{cite web |author = Basker, Emek |year = 2002 |url = http://econwpa.wustl.edu/eps/lab/papers/0303/0303002.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050430063233/http://econwpa.wustl.edu/eps/lab/papers/0303/0303002.pdf |dead-url = yes |archive-date = April 30, 2005 |title = Job Creation or Destruction? Labor-Market Effects of Wal-Mart Expansion |format = PDF |publisher = [[University of Missouri]] |accessdate = August 4, 2006 }}</ref>
* A 2004 paper by two professors at [[Pennsylvania State University]] found that U.S. counties with Walmart stores suffered increased poverty compared with counties without Wal-Marts.<ref name="PSUstudy">{{cite web |author = Goetz, Stephan J. |author2 = Hema Swaminathan |date = October 18, 2004 |url = http://aers.psu.edu/research/centers/cecd/research/wal-mart-and-county-wide-poverty/full-study/at_download/file |title = Wal-Mart and County-Wide Poverty |publisher = [[Pennsylvania State University]] |accessdate = August 4, 2006 }}</ref> They hypothesized that this could be due to the displacement of workers from higher-paid jobs in the retailers customers no longer choose to patronize, Wal-Mart providing less local charity than the replaced businesses, or a shrinking pool of local leadership and reduced [[social capital]] due to a reduced number of local independent businesses.<ref name="PSUstudy" /> Dr [[Raj Patel]], author of "[[Stuffed and Starved]]: Markets, Power and the Hidden Battle for the World Food System", said in a lecture at the [[University of Melbourne]] on September 18, 2007, that a study in Nebraska looked at two different Wal-Marts, the first of which had just arrived and "was in the process of driving everyone else out of business but, to do that, they cut their prices to the bone, very, very low prices". In the other Wal-Mart, "they had successfully destroyed the local economy, there was a sort of economic crater with Wal-Mart in the middle; and, in that community, the prices were 17{{nbsp}}percent higher".<ref name="RNBigIdeas">{{cite news |author = Patel, R. |date = September 18, 2007 |url = http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bigideas/stories/2009/2534576.htm |title = Food Glorious Food |publisher = [[Radio National]] |accessdate = April 10, 2009 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090415143023/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bigideas/stories/2009/2534576.htm |archivedate = April 15, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
* A 2005 story in ''The Washington Post'' reported that "Wal-Mart's discounting on food alone boosts the welfare of American shoppers by at least {{US$|50{{nbsp}}billion}} per year."<ref>{{cite news |author = Mallaby, Sebastian |date = November 28, 2005 |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/27/AR2005112700687.html |title = Progressive Wal-Mart. Really |publisher = ''The Washington Post'' |accessdate = August 4, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080516202924/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/27/AR2005112700687.html |archivedate = May 16, 2008 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> A study in 2005 at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] (MIT) measured the effect on [[Welfare economics|consumer welfare]] and found that the poorest segment of the population benefits the most from the existence of discount retailers.<ref>{{cite web |author = Hausman, Jerry |author2 = Ephraim Leibtag |date = October 2005 |url = http://economics.mit.edu/files/1765 |title = Consumer Benefits from Increased Competition in Shopping Outlets: Measuring the Effect of Wal-Mart |publisher = [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]]/[[United States Department of Agriculture]] |accessdate = August 4, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120816233917/http://economics.mit.edu/files/1765 |archivedate = August 16, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
* A June 2006 article published by the [[Libertarianism|libertarian]] [[Ludwig von Mises Institute]] suggested that Wal-Mart has a positive impact on small business.<ref name="ultimate">Kirklin, Paul. (June 28, 2006). "[https://www.mises.org/story/2219/ The Ultimate pro-WalMart Article] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524063213/http://mises.org/story/2219 |date=May 24, 2009 }}". Ludwig von Mises Institute. Retrieved August 17, 2006.</ref> It argued that while Wal-Mart's low prices caused some existing businesses to close, the chain also created new opportunities for other small business, and so "the process of [[creative destruction]] unleashed by Wal-Mart has no statistically significant impact on the overall size of the small business sector in the United States."<ref name="sobel_dean">Sobel, Russell S.; Andrea M. Dean. "[http://be.wvu.edu/Div/econ/work/pdf_files/06-05.pdf Has Wal-Mart Buried Mom and Pop?: The Impact of Wal-Mart on Self Employment and Small Establishments in the United States] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618004041/http://be.wvu.edu/Div/econ/work/pdf_files/06-05.pdf |date=June 18, 2016 }}." [[West Virginia University]]. Retrieved August 4, 2006. {{SSRN|986362}}</ref>
* In 2006, American newspaper columnist [[George Will]] named Wal-Mart "the most prodigious job-creator in the history of the private sector in this galaxy" and that "[b]y lowering consumer prices, Wal-Mart costs about 50 retail jobs among competitors ''for every 100 jobs Wal-Mart creates''". In terms of economic effects, Will states that "Wal-Mart and its effects save shoppers more than {{US$|200{{nbsp}}billion}} a year, dwarfing such government programs as [[Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program|food stamps]] ({{US$|28.6{{nbsp}}billion}}) and the [[earned income tax credit]] {{US$|34.6{{nbsp}}billion}})".<ref>{{cite news |last = Will |first = George |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/13/AR2006091301573.html |title = Democrats Vs. Wal-Mart |work = The Washington Post |date = September 14, 2006 |authorlink = George Will |archivedate = November 25, 2012 |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CQnqR0lz?url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/13/AR2006091301573.html }}</ref>
* A 2014 story in ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that the Wal-Mart Foundation was boosting its efforts to work with U.S. manufacturers. In February 2014, the Walmart Foundation pledged {{US$|10{{nbsp}}billion}} to support domestic manufacturers and announced plans to buy {{US$|250{{nbsp}}billion}} worth of American-made products in the next decade.<ref>{{cite news |author = D G McCullough |url = https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/made-in-the-usa-sustainable-manufacture |title = Is 'made in the USA' really the most sustainable way to manufacture? |work = The Guardian |date = |accessdate = April 24, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150626214945/http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/made-in-the-usa-sustainable-manufacture |archivedate = June 26, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
== Labor relations ==
[[File:Wal-Mart Workers and Wal-Mart-Free NYC at Occupy Wall Street.vorb.oga|thumb|right|Workers speak during [[Occupy Wall Street]]]]
With over 2.3 Million employees worldwide, Walmart has faced a torrent of lawsuits and issues with regards to its workforce. These issues involve [[wage|low wages]], [[Occupational safety and health|poor working conditions]], inadequate [[health care]], and issues involving the company's strong [[trade union|anti-union]] policies. In November 2013, the [[National Labor Relations Board]] (NLRB) announced that it had found that in 13{{nbsp}}U.S. states Wal-Mart had pressured employees not to engage in strikes on Black Friday, and had illegally disciplined workers who had engaged in strikes.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-nlrb-walmart-20131119,0,1499317.story#axzz2lfbzVSap |title = Fully staffed NLRB investigates complaints against Wal-Mart |first = Alana |last = Semuels |work = |publisher = latimes.com |accessdate = November 26, 2013 |date = November 19, 2013 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131126221724/http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-nlrb-walmart-20131119,0,1499317.story#axzz2lfbzVSap |archivedate = November 26, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Critics point to Walmart's high [[Turnover (employment)|turnover]] rate as evidence of an unhappy workforce, although other factors may be involved. Approximately 70{{nbsp}}percent of its employees leave within the first year.<ref name="Store Wars">{{cite web |url = https://www.pbs.org/itvs/storewars/stores3.html |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070219083544/http://www.pbs.org/itvs/storewars/stores3.html |archivedate = February 19, 2007 |title = Store Wars: When Wal-Mart Comes to Town |publisher = PBS |accessdate = February 28, 2016 }}</ref> Despite this turnover rate, the company is still able to affect unemployment rates. This was found in a study by Oklahoma State University which states, "Walmart is found to have substantially lowered the relative unemployment rates of blacks in those counties where it is present, but to have had only a limited impact on relative incomes after the influences of other socio-economic variables were taken into account."<ref>Keil, Stanley R., Spector, Lee C. ''The Impact of Walmart on Income and Unemployment Differentials in Alabama.'' Review of Regional Studies; Winter 2005, Vol. 35 Issue 3, p336-355, 20p.</ref>
Walmart is the largest private employer in the United States, employing almost five times as many people as [[IBM]], the second-largest employer.<ref>[http://www.statisticbrain.com/u-s-largest-employers/ U.S. Largest Employers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210023938/http://www.statisticbrain.com/u-s-largest-employers |date=February 10, 2016 }}. Retrieved: August 5, 2013.</ref> Walmart employs more [[African Americans]] than any other private employer in the United States.<ref name=NYT4115>{{cite news |author1 = Hiroko Tabuchi and Michael Barbaro |title = Walmart Emerges as Unlikely Social Force |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/02/business/walmart-emerges-as-unlikely-social-force.html |accessdate = April 2, 2015 |work = The New York Times |date = April 1, 2015 |quote = the nation's largest private sector employer of African-American workers. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155327/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/02/business/walmart-emerges-as-unlikely-social-force.html |archivedate = April 2, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== Gender ===
In 2007, a [[Discrimination|gender discrimination]] lawsuit, ''[[Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.]]'', was filed against Walmart, alleging that female employees were discriminated against in matters regarding pay and promotions. A [[class action]] suit was sought, which would have been the nation's largest in history, covering 1.5{{nbsp}}million past and current employees.<ref name="Greenhouse 07">{{cite news |title = Court approves class-action suit against Wal-Mart |last1 = Greenhouse |first1 = Steven |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/business/07bias.html |newspaper = The New York Times |date = February 7, 2007 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150605041701/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/business/07bias.html |archivedate = June 5, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> On June 20, 2011, the [[Supreme Court of the United States|United States Supreme Court]] ruled in Wal-Mart's favor, stating that the plaintiffs did not have enough in common to constitute a class.<ref name="SCOTUS_Walmart">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Petitioner v. Betty Dukes et al. |url = https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/10-277.pdf |accessdate = June 21, 2011 |newspaper = [[Supreme Court of the United States|United States Supreme Court]] |date = June 20, 2011 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110621230523/http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/10-277.pdf |archivedate = June 21, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The court ruled unanimously that because of the variability of the plaintiffs' circumstances, the class action could not proceed as presented, and furthermore, in a 5{{ndash}}4 decision that it could not proceed as any kind of class action suit.<ref name="Lennard_Natasha">{{cite news |last = Lennard |first = Natasha |title = The Supreme Court sides with Wal-Mart |url = http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2011/06/20/supreme_court_sides_with_wal_mart/ |accessdate = June 21, 2011 |newspaper = [[Salon (website)|Salon]] |date = June 20, 2011 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110621171105/http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2011/06/20/supreme_court_sides_with_wal_mart |archivedate = June 21, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Several plaintiffs, including the lead plaintiff, Betty Dukes, expressed their intent to file individual discrimination lawsuits separately.<ref name="Clifford_Stephanie">{{cite news |last = Clifford |first = Stephanie |title = Despite Setback, Plaintiffs to Pursue Wal-Mart Cases |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/21/business/21walmart.html |accessdate = June 21, 2011 |newspaper = The New York Times |date = June 20, 2011 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110624070249/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/21/business/21walmart.html |archivedate = June 24, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
According to a consultant hired by plaintiffs in a sex discrimination lawsuit, in 2001, Wal-Mart's [[Equal Employment Opportunity Commission]] filings showed that female employees made up 65 percent of Wal-Mart's hourly paid workforce, but only 33{{nbsp}}percent of its management.<ref name="Conlin 01">{{cite news |title = Is Wal-Mart hostile to women? |last1 = Conlin |first1 = Michelle |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2001-07-15/is-wal-mart-hostile-to-women |magazine = Bloomberg |date = July 16, 2001 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306080220/http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2001-07-15/is-wal-mart-hostile-to-women |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="zellner">{{cite news |title = No way to treat a lady? |last1 = Zellner |first1 = Wendy |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2003-02-20/no-way-to-treat-a-lady |magazine = Bloomberg |date = March 3, 2003 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306075839/http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2003-02-20/no-way-to-treat-a-lady |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Just 35{{nbsp}}percent of its store managers were women, compared to 57 percent at similar retailers.<ref name="zellner" /> Wal-Mart says comparisons with other retailers are unfair, because it classifies employees differently; if department managers were included in the totals, women would make up 60{{nbsp}}percent of the managerial ranks.<ref name="zellner" /> Others have criticized the lawsuit as without basis in the law and as an abuse of the class action mechanism.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.city-journal.org/html/eon_06_24_04sm.html |title = The Tort Plague Hits Wal-Mart |last = Malanga |first = Steven |work = [[City Journal (New York)|City Journal]] |accessdate = February 23, 2009 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090421075052/http://www.city-journal.org/html/eon_06_24_04sm.html |archivedate = April 21, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/regv30n2/v30n2-6.pdf |title = The Anti- Constitutional Culture of Class Action Law |last = Moller |first = Mark |date = Summer 2007 |work = [[Regulation (magazine)|Regulation]] |format = PDF |pages = 50–58 |accessdate = March 12, 2009 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090312233035/http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/regv30n2/v30n2-6.pdf |archivedate = March 12, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113659795209840464.html?mod=opinion&ojcontent=otep |title = Willie Sutton Was a Piker |last = Dreiband |first = Eric S. |date = January 7, 2006 |work = The Wall Street Journal |accessdate = March 12, 2009 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090623111355/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113659795209840464.html?mod=opinion&ojcontent=otep |archivedate = June 23, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2007, Wal-Mart was named by the National Association for Female Executives as one of the top{{nbsp}}35 companies for executive women.<ref>{{cite press release |title = Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Recognized As Top Company For Executive Women by the National Association For Female Executives |date = April 3, 2007 |publisher = Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. }}</ref>
=== Sexual orientation and gender identity ===
In the [[Human Rights Campaign]]'s (HRC) 2002 [[Corporate Equality Index]], a measure of how companies treat [[LGBT]] employees and customers, gave Walmart Stores Inc. a score of 14%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/CorporateEqualityIndex_2002.pdf?_ga=2.49340005.2131199168.1520940955-1798760037.1512127430|title=2002 Corporate Equality Index|publisher=}}</ref> By 2017, HRC's 2017 Corporate Equality Index gave Walmart Stores Inc. a score of a 100%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/CEI-2017-Final.pdf?_ga=2.11745527.2131199168.1520940955-1798760037.1512127430|title=2017 Corporate Equality Index|publisher=}}</ref> In 2003, Walmart added sexual orientation to their antidiscrimination policy.<ref>{{cite news |author = Kershaw, Sarah |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/02/us/wal-mart-sets-a-new-policy-that-protects-gay-workers.html |title = Wal-Mart Sets a New Policy That Protects Gay Workers |work = The New York Times |date = July 2, 2003 |accessdate = October 1, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120617024456/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/02/us/wal-mart-sets-a-new-policy-that-protects-gay-workers.html |archivedate = June 17, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2005, Walmart's definition of family began including [[Same-sex marriage|same-sex partners]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Press_Room&CONTENTID=24994&TEMPLATE=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm |title = HRC Applauds Wal-Mart's Inclusive Family Policy (press release) |publisher = ''[[Human Rights Campaign]]'' |date = January 27, 2005 |accessdate = October 1, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015532/http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Press_Room&CONTENTID=24994&TEMPLATE=%2FContentManagement%2FContentDisplay.cfm |archivedate = September 30, 2007 |df = }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Get_Informed2&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=33909 |title = Corporate Equality Index |publisher = Human Rights Campaign |year = 2006 |accessdate = November 2, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20061006104644/http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Get_Informed2&Template=%2FContentManagement%2FContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=33909 |archivedate = October 6, 2006 |df = }}</ref><ref name=EqualityIndex16>{{cite web |url = http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com//files/assets/resources/CEI-2016-FullReport.pdf |title = Corporate Equality Index 2016: Rating American Workplaces on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality |publisher = Human Rights Campaign |location = |page = 69 |type = PDF |access-date = December 25, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20151227150010/http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com//files/assets/resources/CEI-2016-FullReport.pdf |archivedate = December 27, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2006, Walmart announced that "diversity efforts include new groups of minority, female and [[gay]] employees that meet at Walmart headquarters in Bentonville to advise the company on marketing and internal promotion. There are seven business resource groups: women, [[African Americans]], [[Hispanic]]s, [[Asian people|Asians]], [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]], gays and [[lesbian]]s, and a [[Disability|disabled]] group."<ref>{{cite web |url = http://nlpc.org/sites/default/files/Walmart_SR.pdf |title = Wal-Mart Embraces Controversial Causes |publisher = [[National Legal and Policy Center]] |accessdate = December 7, 2012 |author = Carlisle, John |page = 23 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117025431/http://nlpc.org/sites/default/files/Walmart_SR.pdf |archivedate = January 17, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> From 2006 to 2008, Walmart was member of the [[National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce]].<ref name="Walmart's remarkable gay rights journey" /> In 2011, Walmart added [[gender identity]] to their antidiscrimination policy.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.advocate.com/politics/2016/8/31/why-walmart-became-lgbt-friendly |title = Why Walmart Became LGBT-Friendly |date = August 31, 2016 |publisher = |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160903001537/http://www.advocate.com/politics/2016/8/31/why-walmart-became-lgbt-friendly |archivedate = September 3, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart's anti-discrimination policies allow associates to use restroom facilities that corresponds with their gender identity and [[gender expression]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yourstephenvilletx.com/article/20120717/News/307179884|title=Company bathroom policy causes stink|first=AMANDA KIMBLE|last=amanda.kimble@empiretribune.com|publisher=}}</ref> In 2013, Walmart began offering [[health insurance]] benefits to [[Domestic partnership|domestic partners]].<ref name="Walmart's remarkable gay rights journey">{{cite web|url=https://qz.com/374896/walmarts-remarkable-gay-rights-journey/|title=Walmart's remarkable gay rights journey|first=Matt|last=Phillips|publisher=}}</ref> In 2015, [[Doug McMillon]], CEO of Walmart, issued a statement opposing [[Arkansas HB 1228|House Bill 1228]] and asked Governor [[Asa Hutchinson]] to veto the bill.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.walmart.com/_news_/news-archive/2015/03/31/walmart-statement-on-arkansas-house-bill-1228|title=Walmart Statement on Arkansas House Bill 1228|website=corporate.walmart.com}}</ref> In 2016, Walmart added full healthcare benefits to its transgender employees.<ref>[http://www.gayrva.com/news-views/wal-mart-adds-full-healthcare-benefits-for-transgender-employees/ Walmart adds full healthcare benefits for transgender employees]</ref>
== Criticism and controversies ==
{{Main|Criticism of Walmart}}
Walmart has been subject to criticism from various groups and individuals, including [[labor union]]s, community groups, [[grassroots]] organizations, religious organizations, environmental groups, and the company's own customers and employees. They have protested against the company's policies and business practices, including charges of racial and gender discrimination.<ref name="mkabel">Kabel, Marcus. "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/18/AR2006071800981.html Wal-Mart, Critics Slam Each Other on Web] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525061530/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/18/AR2006071800981.html |date=May 25, 2017 }}". ''The Washington Post''. July 18, 2006. Retrieved July 31, 2006.</ref><ref>Sellers, Jeff M. (April 22, 2005). "[http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/116/52.0.html Women Against Wal-Mart] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121092201/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/116/52.0.html |date=November 21, 2008 }}". ''Christianity Today''. Retrieved July 31, 2006.</ref><ref>Sellers, Jeff M. (April 22, 2005). "[http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/005/17.40.html Deliver Us from Wal-Mart?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013214512/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/005/17.40.html |date=October 13, 2008 }}". ''Christianity Today''. Retrieved July 31, 2006.</ref> Other areas of criticism include the company's foreign product sourcing, treatment of suppliers, employee compensation and working conditions, environmental practices, [[corporate welfare|the use of public subsidies]], [[Labor spies#Wal-Mart surveillance of employees|the company's security policies]], and [[slavery]].<ref>[[Al Norman|Norman, Al]] (2004). ''The Case Against Wal-Mart''. Raphel Marketing, p. 7. {{ISBN|0-9711542-3-6}}.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jun/10/supermarket-prawns-thailand-produced-slave-labour |title = Revealed: Asian slave labour producing prawns for supermarkets in US, UK |last = Hodal |first = Kate |author2 = Chris Kelly |author3 = Felicity Lawrence |date = June 10, 2014 |publisher = The Guardian |quote = Charoen Pokphand (CP) Foods, buys fishmeal, which it feeds to its farmed prawns, from some suppliers that own, operate or buy from fishing boats manned with slaves. … CP Foods admits that slave labour is part of its supply chain. |accessdate = June 11, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140611032723/http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jun/10/supermarket-prawns-thailand-produced-slave-labour |archivedate = June 11, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart denies doing anything wrong and maintains that low prices are the result of efficiency.<ref>Copeland, Larry. (March 13, 2006). "[https://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/2006-03-15-young-walmart-usat_x.htm Wal-Mart's hired advocate takes flak] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905062401/http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/2006-03-15-young-walmart-usat_x.htm |date=September 5, 2012 }}". ''USA Today''. Retrieved July 31, 2006.</ref><ref>Rodino Associates. (October 28, 2003). "[http://www.lacity.org/council/cd13/houscommecdev/cd13houscommecdev239629107_04262005.pdf Final Report on Research for Big Box Retail/Superstore Ordinance]". Los Angeles City Council. Retrieved July 31, 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326214712/http://www.lacity.org/council/cd13/houscommecdev/cd13houscommecdev239629107_04262005.pdf |date=March 26, 2009 }}</ref><ref>Smith, Hedrick. "[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/secrets/shots.html Who Calls the Shots in the Global Economy?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525050919/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/secrets/shots.html |date=May 25, 2017 }}" PBS. Retrieved July 31, 2006.</ref>
In April 2016, Walmart announced that it plans to eliminate eggs from [[battery cage]]s from its supply chain by 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://time.com/4282952/walmart-eggs-cage-free/|title=Walmart Will Sell Completely Cage-Free Eggs by 2025|author=Chan, Melissa|publisher=TIME|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816220136/http://time.com/4282952/walmart-eggs-cage-free/|archivedate=August 16, 2016|deadurl=no|accessdate=August 4, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The decision was particularly important because of Walmart's large [[market share]] and influence on the rest of the industry.<ref name="FortuneEgg">{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2016/04/05/walmart-vow-cage-free-eggs/|title=Walmart Is the Latest Retailer to Make a Cage-Free Egg Vow|author=Kell, John|publisher=Fortune|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703042107/http://fortune.com/2016/04/05/walmart-vow-cage-free-eggs/|archivedate=July 3, 2016|deadurl=no|accessdate=August 4, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="BloombergEgg">{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-05/wal-mart-will-sell-100-cage-free-eggs-by-2025-in-industry-shift|title=Wal-Mart Will Switch to All Cage-Free Eggs by 2025|last=Turner|first=Nick|date=April 5, 2016|website=Bloomberg.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811172221/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-05/wal-mart-will-sell-100-cage-free-eggs-by-2025-in-industry-shift|archivedate=August 11, 2016|deadurl=no|accessdate=August 11, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The move was praised by major [[animal welfare]] groups<ref name="Modern Farmer">{{cite web|url=http://modernfarmer.com/2016/04/walmart-cage-free-eggs/|title=Walmart Vows to Purchase All Eggs from Cage-Free Sources By 2025|author=Amelinckx, Andrew|publisher=Modern Farmer|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817182424/http://modernfarmer.com/2016/04/walmart-cage-free-eggs/|archivedate=August 17, 2016|deadurl=no|accessdate=August 4, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and heralded as an "end of an era" by [[Humane Society of the United States]] President [[Wayne Pacelle]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alternet.org/food/walmarts-decision-switch-cage-free-eggs-signals-end-era-extreme-confinement-hens|title=Walmart's Decision to Switch to Cage-Free Eggs Signals End of Era of Extreme Confinement for Hens|author=Pacelle, Wayne|publisher=AlterNet|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816055654/http://www.alternet.org/food/walmarts-decision-switch-cage-free-eggs-signals-end-era-extreme-confinement-hens|archivedate=August 16, 2016|deadurl=no|accessdate=August 4, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> but a poultry trade group representative expressed skepticism about the decision's impact.<ref name="Modern Farmer" /> Walmart's cage-free eggs will not come from [[free range]] producers, but rather [[factory farming|industrial-scale farms]] where the birds will be allotted between 1 and 1.5 square feet each, a stressful arrangement which can cause [[cannibalism in poultry|cannibalism]].<ref name="FortuneEgg" /><ref name="Modern Farmer" /> Unlike battery cages, the systems Walmart's suppliers will use allow the hens to move around, but relative to battery cages they have higher hen mortality rates and present distinct environmental and worker health problems.<ref name="NYT Gelles">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/17/business/eggs-that-clear-the-cages-but-maybe-not-the-conscience.html?_r=0|title=Eggs That Clear the Cages, but Maybe Not the Conscience|author=Gelles, David|work=The New York Times|accessdate=August 4, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722092649/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/17/business/eggs-that-clear-the-cages-but-maybe-not-the-conscience.html?_r=0|archivedate=July 22, 2016|deadurl=no|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
In March 2018, Walmart was sued by former Director of Business Development Tri Huynh for claims of reporting misleading e-commerce performance results in favor of the company. Huynh stated the company's move was an attempt to regain lost ground to competitor Amazon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.channelnews.com.au/walmart-sued-for-misleading-e-commerce-results/|title=Walmart Sued For Misleading E-Commerce Results In Fight Against Amazon {{!}} channelnews|website=www.channelnews.com.au|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-20}}</ref>
== See also ==
{{Portal|Arkansas|Business and economics|Companies|United States}}
* [[Lukas Walton]]
* [[Big-box store]]
* [[Criticism of Walmart]]
* "[[Something Wall-Mart This Way Comes]]" – a 2004 episode of [[Comedy Central]]'s ''[[South Park]]''
* [[Wal-Mart camel]] – a bone [[fossil]] of a prehistoric [[camel]] found at a future Wal-Mart store in [[Mesa, Arizona]]
* [[First Tee Open|Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach]] – former name of a golf tournament
* ''[[Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price]]'' – a 2005 documentary film by director [[Robert Greenwald]]
* [[Walmarting]] – a [[neologism]]
* ''[[Why Wal-Mart Works; and Why That Drives Some People C-R-A-Z-Y]]'' – a 2005 rebuttal to the Greenwald documentary
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{coord|36|21|56|N|94|13|03|W|display=title}}
== Further reading ==
* {{cite news |last = Barstow |first = Davie |author-link = David Barstow |date = December 18, 2012 |title = Wal-Mart Abroad |url = https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/business/walmart-bribery-abroad-series.html |newspaper = The New York Times |location = New York |publisher = [[The New York Times Company]] |accessdate = }}
* {{cite book |last = Fishman |first = Charles |year = 2006 |title = The Wal-Mart Effect: How the World's Most Powerful Company Really Works—and How It's Transforming the American Economy |url = http://www.walmarteffectbook.com |location = New York |publisher = [[The Penguin Press]] |isbn = 978-1-59420-076-2 |accessdate = |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150629033142/http://www.walmarteffectbook.com/ |archivedate = June 29, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}
* {{cite journal |last1 = Gereffi |first1 = Gary |last2 = Michelle |first2 = Christian |title = The Impacts of Wal-Mart: The Rise and Consequences of the World's Dominant Retailer |journal = Annual Review of Sociology |date = 2009 |volume = 35 |pages = 573–591 |doi = 10.1146/annurev-soc-070308-115947 |url = http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-soc-070308-115947 }}
* {{cite journal |last1 = Ingram |first1 = Paul |last2 = Yue |first2 = Lori Qingyuan |last3 = Rao |first3 = Hayagreeva |date = July 2010 |title = Trouble in Store: Probes, Protests, and Store Openings by Wal‐Mart, 1998–2007 |jstor = 653596 |journal = [[American Journal of Sociology]] |publisher = [[University of Chicago Press]] |volume = 116 |issue = 1 |pages = 53–92 |doi = 10.1086/653596 |accessdate = }}
* {{cite book |last = Lichtenstein |first = Nelson |year = 2009 |title = The Retail Revolution: How Wal-Mart Created a Brave New World of Business |url = http://us.macmillan.com/theretailrevolution/NelsonLichtenstein |location = New York |publisher = [[Metropolitan Books]] |isbn = 978-0-8050-7966-1 |accessdate = |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131213040851/http://us.macmillan.com/theretailrevolution/NelsonLichtenstein |archive-date = December 13, 2013 |dead-url = yes |df = mdy-all }}
* {{cite book |last1 = Vance |first1 = Sandra Stringer |last2 = Scott |first2 = Roy V. |year = 1997 |title = Wal-Mart: A History of Sam Walton's Retail Phenomenon |url = |location = New York |publisher = [[Twayne Publishers]] |isbn = 978-0-8057-9832-6 |accessdate = }}
* {{cite book |author = Peled, Micha |title = Store Wars: When Wal-Mart Comes to Town |date = 2001 |url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/store-wars-when-walmart-comes-to-town/ }}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Wal-Mart}}
{{Wikinews|Wal-Mart}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://corporate.walmart.com/ Wal-Mart Stores Corporate Site]
{{Finance links
| name = Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
| symbol = WMT
| sec_cik = 104169
| yahoo = WMT
| google = WMT
| stockrow = WMT
}}
* {{OpenCorp|Walmart}}
{{Wal-Mart}}
{{Dow Jones Industrial Average companies}}
{{Supermarkets of the United States}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Walmart| ]]
[[Category:1962 establishments in Arkansas]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1962]]
[[Category:Bentonville, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Companies based in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Discount stores of the United States]]
[[Category:Hypermarkets of the United States]]
[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in the United States]]
[[Category:Online retailers of the United States]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1962]]
[[Category:Supermarkets of China]]
[[Category:Supermarkets of the United States]]
[[Category:Superstores in the United States]]
[[Category:1962 establishments in the United States]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{short description|Multinational retail chain founded in the United States}}
{{about|the retail chain|other uses}}
{{pp-pc1|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Walmart Inc.
| logo = Walmart logo.svg
| logo_caption = Walmart's current logo since 2008
| image = Walmart Home Office.jpg
| image_caption = Walmart's official headquarters in [[Bentonville, Arkansas]]
| trading_name =
| former_name = Wal-Mart, Inc. (1969–70)<br />Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (1970–2018)
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| ISIN = US9311421039
| industry = [[Retail]]
| traded_as = {{Unbulleted list|{{NYSE|WMT}}|[[DJIA]] component|[[S&P 100]] component|[[S&P 500]] component}}
| foundation = {{ubl
| {{Start date and age|1962|7|2}}
| [[Rogers, Arkansas]], U.S.
}}
| founder = [[Sam Walton]]
| location_city = [[Bentonville, Arkansas]], United States
| locations = {{increase}} 11,718 stores worldwide (January 31, 2018)<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage">{{cite web |url = http://stock.walmart.com/investors/financial-information/unit-counts-and-square-footage/default.aspx |title = Information for Walmart Investors: Unit Counts & Square Footage |publisher = |accessdate = February 20, 2018 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170304232629/http://stock.walmart.com/investors/financial-information/unit-counts-and-square-footage/default.aspx |archivedate = March 4, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="Unit Counts by Country">{{cite web |url = http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2018/q4/WMT-Detailed-Unit-Count-FY2018-January.pdf |title = Unit Counts by Country January 31, 2017 |publisher = |accessdate = February 20, 2018 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170222111654/http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_downloads/Unit-Counts/WMT-Detailed-Unit-Count-FY2018-January.pdf |archivedate = February 22, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{plainlist|
* [[Greg Penner]] {{small|(Chairman)}}
* [[Doug McMillon]] {{small|(President & [[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]])}}
}}
| products = {{hlist|Electronics|Movies and music|Home and furniture|Home improvement|Clothing|Footwear|Jewelry|Toys|Health and beauty|Pet supplies|Sporting goods and fitness|Auto|Photo finishing|Craft supplies|Party supplies|Grocery}}
| services = {{hlist|[[Ria Money Transfer|Walmart-2-Walmart]]|Walmart MoneyCard|Pickup Today|Walmart.com|Walmart Pay}}
| revenue = {{increase}} {{US$|500.34 billion|link=yes}} (2018)<ref name="xbrlus_1">{{cite web |url = http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2018/annual/WMT-2018_Annual-Report.pdf |title = Wal Mart Stores Inc 2018 Annual Results |publisher = Walmart |format = PDF |date = February 21, 2018 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| operating_income = {{decrease}} {{US$|20.437 billion}} (2018)<ref name="xbrlus_1" />
| net_income = {{decrease}} {{US$|9.862 billion}} (2018)<ref name="xbrlus_1" />
| assets = {{increase}} {{US$|204.52 billion}} (2018)<ref name="xbrlus_1" />
| equity = {{increase}} {{US$|77.869 billion}} (2018)<ref name="xbrlus_1" />
| owner = [[Walton family]] (51%)
| num_employees = {{plainlist|
* 2.3{{nbsp}}million, Worldwide (2017)
* 1.5{{nbsp}}million, U.S. (2017)<ref name="Walmart">{{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/locations/united-states |title = Walmart Locations Around the World – United States |publisher = |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150926012456/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/locations/united-states |archivedate = September 26, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
}}
| divisions = {{ublist|[[Walmart#Walmart U.S.|Walmart U.S.]]|[[Walmart#Walmart International|Walmart International]]|[[Sam's Club]]|[[Walmart#Global eCommerce|Global eCommerce]]}}
| subsid = {{ublist|[[Walmart Canada]]|[[Walmart Mexico]]|[[Walmart Chile]]|[[Walmart de México y Centroamérica]]|[[@WalmartLabs]]|[[Walmart Neighborhood Market]]|[[Asda]]|[[Amigo Supermarkets]]|[[Flipkart]]|[[Vudu]]|[[Massmart]]|[[Seiyu Group]]|[[Bompreço]]|[[Líder]]|[[Jet.com]]|[[Hayneedle]]|[[Moosejaw]]|[[ModCloth]]}}
| footnotes = <ref name="Form10K" /><ref name="OurBusiness" /><ref name="AsdaUK">{{cite web |title = Walmart Corporate: United Kingdom |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/locations/#/united-kingdom |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140104115055/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/locations/#/united-kingdom |archivedate = January 4, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
| homepage = {{ublist
| {{URL|https://corporate.walmart.com/
| Corporate website}}
| {{URL|https://www.walmart.com/
| Commercial website}}
}}
}}
'''Walmart Inc.''' (formerly '''Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.''') is an American [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] [[retail]] [[corporation]] that operates a [[Chain store|chain]] of [[hypermarket]]s, [[discount department store]]s, and [[grocery store]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000010416918000013/form8-kx212018.htm |title = Form 8K – Walmart Inc. |date = February 1, 2018 |publisher = [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] |accessdate = February 1, 2018 }}</ref> Headquartered in [[Bentonville, Arkansas]], the company was founded by [[Sam Walton]] in 1962 and [[Incorporation (business)|incorporated]] on October 31, 1969. It also owns and operates [[Sam's Club]] [[warehouse club|retail warehouses]].<ref name="2015 Annual Report Page 19">{{cite web |url = http://stock.walmart.com/files/doc_financials/2015/annual/2015-annual-report.pdf |title = Walmart 2015 Annual Report |website = stock.walmart.com |publisher = Walmart |page = 19 |accessdate = October 6, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150709092937/http://stock.walmart.com/files/doc_financials/2015/annual/2015-annual-report.pdf |archivedate = July 9, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="Location_WorldMap">{{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/locations |title = Walmart Corporate: Locations |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140117041555/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/locations |archivedate = January 17, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} Walmart has 11,718 stores and clubs in 28{{nbsp}}countries, operating under 59 different{{nbsp}}names.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /><ref name="2018 10-K">http://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0000104169/a25e7acb-aa07-49f3-8c0c-0c69e5a8d372.pdf</ref> The company operates under the name Walmart in the United States and Canada, as [[Walmart de México y Centroamérica]] in Mexico and Central America, as [[Asda]] in the United Kingdom, as the [[Seiyu Group]] in Japan, and as Best Price in India. It has [[wholly owned]] operations in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Canada.
Walmart is the [[List of companies by revenue|world's largest company by revenue]]—over [[United States dollar|US$]]500 billion, according to [[Fortune Global 500]] list in 2018—as well as the [[List of largest employers|largest private employer]] in the world with 2.3{{nbsp}}million employees. It is a publicly traded [[Family business|family-owned business]], as the company is controlled by the [[Walton family]]. Sam Walton's heirs own over 50{{nbsp}}percent of Walmart through their holding company, Walton Enterprises, and through their individual holdings.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000130817913000238/lwalmart_def14a.htm#_N1576F |work = Wal Mart 2013 Proxy statement |title = Share Ownership |accessdate = April 10, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141012223127/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000130817913000238/lwalmart_def14a.htm#_N1576F |archivedate = October 12, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart was the largest U.S. grocery retailer in 2016, and 62.3{{nbsp}}percent of Walmart's {{US$|478.614{{nbsp}}billion|link=yes}} sales came from U.S. operations.<ref name="2016 Annual Report Page 20" />
The company was listed on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] in 1972. By 1988, Walmart was the most profitable retailer in the U.S.,<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/28/business/company-news-wal-mart-net-jumps-by-31.8.html |work = The New York Times |first = Thomas C. |last = Hayes |title = Company News; Wal-Mart Net Jumps By 31.8% |date = February 28, 1990 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150723112604/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/28/business/company-news-wal-mart-net-jumps-by-31.8.html |archivedate = July 23, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> and by October 1989, it had become the largest in terms of revenue.<ref>[http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-02-15/business/9101080852_1_wal-mart-stores-supercenter-stores-hypermart-usa-units 1990 Sales Lift Wal-mart Into Top Spot – Sun Sentinel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904035126/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-02-15/business/9101080852_1_wal-mart-stores-supercenter-stores-hypermart-usa-units |date=September 4, 2013 }}. Articles.sun-sentinel.com (February 15, 1991). Retrieved on December 6, 2013.</ref> Originally geographically limited to the [[American South|South]] and lower [[American Midwest|Midwest]], by the early 1990s, the company had stores from [[Contiguous United States|coast to coast]]: Sam's Club opened in New Jersey in November 1989 and the first California outlet opened in [[Lancaster, California|Lancaster]] in July 1990. A Walmart in [[York, Pennsylvania]] opened in October 1990: the first main store in the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast]].<ref name="Warner 90">{{cite news |title = A New Battle On The Eastern Front Rivals Are Bracing As Wal-mart Today Opens The First Of Nine Stores Planned For Pennsylvania And New Jersey |last1 = Warner |first1 = Susan |url = http://articles.philly.com/1990-10-01/business/25890945_1_wal-mart-stores-sam-walton-wal-mart-today |newspaper = [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date = October 1, 1990 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160618103947/http://articles.philly.com/1990-10-01/business/25890945_1_wal-mart-stores-sam-walton-wal-mart-today |archivedate = June 18, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Walmart's investments outside North America have seen mixed results: its operations in the United Kingdom, South America, and China are highly successful, whereas ventures in Germany and South Korea failed.
== History ==
{{Main|History of Walmart}}
=== 1945–1969: Early history ===
[[File:09-02-06-OriginalWaltons.jpg|thumb|Sam Walton's original Walton's [[Five and dime|Five and Dime]] store in [[Bentonville, Arkansas|Bentonville]], [[Arkansas]], now serving as The Walmart Museum|alt=Picture of Sam Walton's original Five and Dime store in Bentonville, Arkansas, now serving as The Walmart Museum.]]
In 1945, businessman and former [[J. C. Penney]] employee [[Sam Walton]] bought a branch of the [[Ben Franklin (company)|Ben Franklin]] stores from the [[Butler Brothers]].<ref name="madeinamerica">{{cite book |author = Walton, Sam |author2 = Huey, John |title = Sam Walton: Made in America: My Story |place = [[New York City|New York]] |publisher = [[Bantam Books|Bantam]] |year = 1993 |isbn = 978-0-553-56283-5 }}</ref> His primary focus was selling products at low prices to get higher-volume sales at a lower [[profit margin]], portraying it as a crusade for the consumer. He experienced setbacks because the lease price and branch purchase were unusually high, but he was able to find lower-cost suppliers than those used by other stores and was consequently able to undercut his competitors on pricing.<ref name="a">{{cite web |url = http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/2375.html |title = Sam Walton: Great From the Start – HBS Working Knowledge |author = Richard S. Tedlow |date = July 23, 2001 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606044751/http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/2375.html |archivedate = June 6, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Sales increased 45% in his first year of ownership to {{US$|105,000}} in revenue, which increased to $140,000 the next year and $175,000 the year after that. Within the fifth year, the store was generating $250,000 in revenue. When the lease for the location expired, Walton was unable to reach an agreement for renewal, so he opened up a new store at 105 N. Main Street in Bentonville, naming it "Walton's Five and Dime".<ref name="a" /><ref name="BriefHistory">{{cite news |author = Frank, T.A. |url = http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13796 |title = A Brief History of Wal-Mart |work = [[Washington Monthly]] |date = April 1, 2006 |accessdate = July 24, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060721005501/http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=13796 |archivedate = July 21, 2006 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> That store is now the Walmart Museum.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/history/the-walmart-museum |title = The Walmart Museum |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150204210648/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/history/the-walmart-museum |archivedate = February 4, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
[[File:Walmartlogo1.png|thumbnail|right|Original logo, 1962{{ndash}}1964]]
On July 2, 1962, Walton opened the first Walmart Discount City store at 719{{nbsp}}W. Walnut Street in [[Rogers, Arkansas]]. The building is now occupied by a hardware store and an antique mall, while the company's "Store #1" has since relocated to a larger discount store and now expanded to a Supercenter several blocks west at 2110 W. Walnut Street. Within its first five years, the company expanded to 24{{nbsp}}stores across [[Arkansas]] and reached {{US$|12.6{{nbsp}}million}} in sales.<ref name="discountcity">{{cite web |url = https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/transform/cron.html |title = The Rise of Walmart |work = [[Frontline (U.S. TV series)|Frontline]]: Is Wal-Mart Good for America? |date = November 16, 2004 |accessdate = September 19, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930063957/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/transform/cron.html |archivedate = September 30, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 1968, it opened its first stores outside Arkansas, in [[Sikeston, Missouri]] and [[Claremore, Oklahoma]].<ref name="timeline">{{cite web |url = http://www.walmartfacts.com/content/default.aspx?id=3 |title = The Wal-Mart Timeline |publisher = Wal-Mart |accessdate = July 24, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060719071543/http://www.walmartfacts.com/content/default.aspx?id=3 |archivedate = July 19, 2006 }}</ref>
=== 1969–1990: Incorporation and growth as a regional power ===
[[File:Walmartlogo2.png|thumbnail|right|Logo used 1964{{ndash}}1981]]
[[File:Wal-Mart logo.png|thumb|Logo used 1981{{ndash}}1992]]
The company was [[Incorporation (business)|incorporated]] as '''Wal-Mart, Inc.''' on October 31, 1969, and changed its name to '''Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.''' in 1970. The same year, the company opened a home office and first distribution center in [[Bentonville, Arkansas|Bentonville]], [[Arkansas]]. It had 38{{nbsp}}stores operating with 1,500 employees and sales of $44.2{{nbsp}}million. It began trading stock as a [[Public company|publicly held company]] on October 1, 1970, and was soon listed on the [[New York Stock Exchange]]. The first [[stock split]] occurred in May 1971 at a price of $47 per share. By this time, Walmart was operating in five states: Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma; it entered Tennessee in 1973 and Kentucky and Mississippi in 1974. As the company moved into Texas in 1975, there were 125{{nbsp}}stores with 7,500 employees and total sales of $340.3{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="timeline" />
In the 1980s, Walmart continued to grow rapidly, and by the company's 25th anniversary in 1987, there were 1,198 stores with sales of $15.9{{nbsp}}billion and 200,000 associates.<ref name="timeline" /> This year also marked the completion of the company's satellite network, a $24{{nbsp}}million investment linking all operating units with the Bentonville office via two-way voice and data transmission and one-way video communication. At the time, the company was the largest private satellite network, allowing the corporate office to track inventory and sales and to instantly communicate to stores.<ref name="satellite">{{cite web |author = Ranade, Sudhanshu |url = http://www.blonnet.com/2005/07/17/stories/2005071700141600.htm |title = Satellite Adds Speed to Wal-Mart |work = [[The Hindu Business Line]] |date = July 17, 2005 |accessdate = July 24, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927012640/http://www.blonnet.com/2005/07/17/stories/2005071700141600.htm |archivedate = September 27, 2007 }}</ref> In 1988, Walton stepped down as CEO and was replaced by [[David Glass (businessman)|David Glass]].<ref name="LA Times 88">{{cite news |title = David Glass Named CEO of Wal-Mart Inc. |url = http://articles.latimes.com/1988-02-02/business/fi-40122_1_david-glass |newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]] |date = February 2, 1988 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306204802/http://articles.latimes.com/1988-02-02/business/fi-40122_1_david-glass |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walton remained as Chairman of the Board.
With the contribution of its superstores, the company surpassed [[Toys "R" Us]] in toy sales in the late 1990s.{{Specify|reason=Any specific year?|date=December 2017}}<ref name="Byrnes 04">{{cite news |title = Toys 'R' Us: Beaten at its own game |last1 = Byrnes |first1 = Nanette |last2 = Eidam |first2 = Michael |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2004-03-28/toys-r-us-beaten-at-its-own-game |magazine = [[Bloomberg Businessweek|BusinessWeek]] |date = March 29, 2004 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306074659/http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2004-03-28/toys-r-us-beaten-at-its-own-game |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== 1990–2005: Retail rise to multinational status ===
[[File:Wal-Mart logo.svg|thumbnail|right|Logo used 1992{{ndash}}2008]]
While it was the third-largest retailer in the United States, Walmart was more profitable than rivals [[Kmart]] and [[Sears]] by the late 1980s. By 1990, it became the largest U.S. retailer by revenue.<ref name="Hayes 90">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart Net Jumps By 31.8% |last1 = Hayes |first1 = Thomas C. |last2 = |first2 = |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/28/business/company-news-wal-mart-net-jumps-by-31.8.html |newspaper = [[The New York Times]] |date = February 28, 1990 |accessdate = July 21, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150723112604/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/28/business/company-news-wal-mart-net-jumps-by-31.8.html |archivedate = July 23, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Prior to the summer of 1990, Walmart had no presence on the West Coast or in the Northeast (except for a single Sam's Club in New Jersey which opened in November 1989), but in July and October that year, it opened its first stores in [[California]] and [[Pennsylvania]], respectively. By the mid-1990s, it was far and away the most powerful retailer in the U.S. and expanded into Mexico in 1991 and Canada in 1994.<ref>Jacques, Peter. (January 1, 1970) [https://www.academia.edu/169368/Wal-Mart_or_World-Mart_A_Teaching_Case_Study Wal-Mart or World-Mart? A Teaching Case Study | Peter Jacques] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101212019/http://www.academia.edu/169368/Wal-Mart_or_World-Mart_A_Teaching_Case_Study |date=January 1, 2016 }}. Academia.edu. Retrieved on December 6, 2013.</ref> Walmart stores opened throughout the rest of the U.S., with Vermont being the last state to get a store in 1995.<ref name="PBS04">{{cite news |title = Timeline: An Overview of Wal-Mart |last1 = |first1 = |last2 = |first2 = |url = https://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/business-july-dec04-timeline_08-20/ |agency = [[PBS]] |date = August 20, 2004 |accessdate = July 21, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141226212519/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/business-july-dec04-timeline_08-20/ |archivedate = December 26, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
The company also opened stores outside North America, entering South America in 1995 with stores in Argentina and Brazil; and Europe in July 1999, buying [[Asda]] in the United Kingdom for {{US$|10{{nbsp}}billion}}.<ref name="IHT">{{cite web |author = Buerkle, Tom |url = http://www.iht.com/articles/1999/06/15/walmart.2.t.php |title = $10 Billion Gamble in U.K. Doubles Its International Business: Wal-Mart Takes Big Leap into Europe |work = International Herald Tribune |date = June 15, 1999 |accessdate = April 19, 2007 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080226063515/http://www.iht.com/articles/1999/06/15/walmart.2.t.php |archivedate = February 26, 2008 }}</ref>
In 1998, Walmart introduced the Neighborhood Market concept with three stores in Arkansas.<ref name="grocerybiz">{{cite web |url = http://www.mystore411.com/store/list_state/5/Arkansas/Wal-Mart-Neighborhood-Market-store-locations |title = Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market Locations in Arkansas |accessdate = December 8, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117025424/http://www.mystore411.com/store/list_state/5/Arkansas/Wal-Mart-Neighborhood-Market-store-locations |archivedate = January 17, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> By 2005, estimates indicate that the company controlled about 20 percent of the retail grocery and consumables business.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://grist.org/series/2011-11-07-walmart-greenwash-retail-giant-still-unsustainable/ |title = WALMART'S GREENWASH: WHY THE RETAIL GIANT IS STILL UNSUSTAINABLE |publisher = Grist.org |date = November 7, 2012 |accessdate = December 7, 2012 |author = Mitchell, Stacy |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CkUoUYqU?url=http://grist.org/series/2011-11-07-walmart-greenwash-retail-giant-still-unsustainable/ |archivedate = December 8, 2012 }}</ref>
In 2000, [[Lee Scott (businessman)|H. Lee Scott]] became Walmart's President and CEO as the company's sales increased to $165{{nbsp}}billion.<ref name="2000sales">{{cite web |url = http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/11/112761/ARs/2000_annualreport.pdf |title = Walmart Annual Report 2000 |format = PDF |accessdate = December 8, 2012 |page = 18 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117025419/http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/11/112761/ARs/2000_annualreport.pdf |archivedate = January 17, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2002, it was listed for the first time as America's largest corporation on the [[Fortune 500]] list, with revenues of $219.8{{nbsp}}billion and profits of $6.7{{nbsp}}billion. It has remained there every year except 2006, 2009, and 2012.<ref name="2007-Fortune-500">{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/full_list/index.html |title = Fortune 500 2007 |publisher = ''Fortune'' |date = April 16, 2007 |accessdate = July 15, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070614021659/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/full_list/index.html |archivedate = June 14, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="2006-Fortune-500">{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2006/full_list/index.html |title = Fortune 500 2006 |publisher = ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' |date = April 17, 2006 |accessdate = July 15, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070705171748/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2006/full_list/index.html |archivedate = July 5, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2008/full_list/index.html |title = Fortune 500 2008 |publisher = ''Fortune'' |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140410131336/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2008/full_list/index.html |archivedate = April 10, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2009/full_list/index.html |title = Fortune 500 2009 |publisher = ''Fortune'' |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140410131332/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2009/full_list/index.html |archivedate = April 10, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2010/full_list/index.html |title = Fortune 500 2010 |publisher = ''Fortune'' |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140329131542/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2010/full_list/index.html |archivedate = March 29, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2011/full_list/index.html |title = Fortune 500 2011 |publisher = ''Fortune'' |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140329130655/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2011/full_list/index.html |archivedate = March 29, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url = http://fortune.com/fortune500/2012/ |title = Fortune 500 2012 |date = May 9, 2014 |work = Fortune |access-date = October 25, 2017 |language = en-US |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170909134510/http://fortune.com/fortune500/2012/ |archivedate = September 9, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url = http://fortune.com/fortune500/2013/ |title = Fortune 500 2013 |date = May 22, 2014 |work = Fortune |access-date = October 25, 2017 |language = en-US |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170831000038/http://fortune.com/fortune500/2013/ |archivedate = August 31, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url = http://fortune.com/fortune500/2014/ |title = Fortune 500 2014 |date = June 2, 2014 |work = Fortune |access-date = October 25, 2017 |language = en-US |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170703203948/http://fortune.com/fortune500/2014/ |archivedate = July 3, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://fortune.com/fortune500/2015/ |title = Fortune 500 2015 |website = Fortune |language = en-US |access-date = October 25, 2017 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20171024150735/http://fortune.com/fortune500/2015/ |archivedate = October 24, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://fortune.com/fortune500/2016/ |title = Fortune 500 |website = Fortune |language = en-US |access-date = October 25, 2017 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20171020024947/http://fortune.com/fortune500/2016/ |archivedate = October 20, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In 2005, Walmart reported {{US$|312.4{{nbsp}}billion}} in sales, more than 6,200 facilities around the world—including 3,800 stores in the United States and 2,800 elsewhere, employing more than 1.6{{nbsp}}million associates. Its U.S. presence grew so rapidly that only small pockets of the country remained more than {{convert|60|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} from the nearest store.<ref>{{cite conference |first = Matthew |last = Zook |author2 = Graham, Mark |editor-first = Stanley D. |editor-last = Brunn |title = Wal-Mart Nation: Mapping the Reach of a Retail Colossus |booktitle = Wal-Mart World: The World's Biggest Corporation in the Global Economy |pages = 15–25 |publisher = Routledge |year = 2006 |isbn = 978-0-415-95137-1 }}</ref>
As Walmart rapidly expanded into the world's largest corporation, many critics worried about its effect on local communities, particularly small towns with many "[[Small business|mom and pop]]" stores. There have been several studies on the economic impact of Walmart on small towns and local businesses, jobs, and taxpayers. In one, Kenneth Stone, a professor of economics at [[Iowa State University]], found that some small towns can lose almost half of their retail trade within ten years of a Walmart store opening.<ref name="Rural">Stone, Kenneth E. (1997). "[http://www.econ.iastate.edu/faculty/stone/10yrstudy.pdf Impact of the Wal-Mart Phenomenon on Rural Communities] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120110527/http://www2.econ.iastate.edu/faculty/stone/10yrstudy.pdf |date=January 20, 2016 }}". (Published in ''Proceedings: Increased Understanding of Public Problems and Policies – 1997''. [[Chicago]], Illinois: Farm Foundation). ''[[Iowa State University]]''. Retrieved August 4, 2006.</ref> However, in another study, he compared the changes to what small town shops had faced in the past—including the development of the railroads, the advent of the Sears Roebuck catalog, and the arrival of shopping malls—and concluded that shop owners who adapt to changes in the retail market can thrive after Walmart arrives.<ref name="Rural" /> A later study in collaboration with [[Mississippi State University]] showed that there are "both positive and negative impacts on existing stores in the area where the new supercenter locates."<ref name="Stone Artz Myles">{{cite web |url = http://www2.econ.iastate.edu/faculty/stone/MSsupercenterstudy.pdf |title = The economic impact of Wal-Mart Supercenters on existing businesses in Mississippi |author = Kenneth E. Stone, Georgeanne Artz and Albert Myles |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160618031634/http://www2.econ.iastate.edu/faculty/stone/MSsupercenterstudy.pdf |archivedate = June 18, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In the aftermath of [[Hurricane Katrina]] in September 2005, Walmart used its logistics network to organize a rapid response to the disaster, donating $20{{nbsp}}million, 1,500 truckloads of merchandise, food for 100,000 meals, and the promise of a job for every one of its displaced workers.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/05/AR2005090501598.html |title = Wal-Mart at Forefront of Hurricane Relief |date = September 6, 2005 |work = The Washington Post |accessdate = March 10, 2009 |author = Barbaro, Michael |author2 = Gillis, Justin |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090604185015/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/05/AR2005090501598.html |archivedate = June 4, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> An independent study by Steven Horwitz of [[St. Lawrence University]] found that Walmart, [[The Home Depot]], and [[Lowe's]] made use of their local knowledge about supply chains, infrastructure, decision makers and other resources to provide emergency supplies and reopen stores well before the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) began its response.<ref name="Kouzes 10">{{cite book |last1 = Kouzes |first1 = James |last2 = Posner |first2 = Barry |others = Mark Huffman, ConsumerAffairs.com |date = July 6, 2010 |title = The Challenge Continues, Participant Workbook: Enable Others to Act |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=C2e7_FkKkJgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false |location = |publisher = [[John Wiley & Sons]] |page = 24 |isbn = 978-0-470-40284-9 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160623200304/https://books.google.com/books?id=C2e7_FkKkJgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false |archivedate = June 23, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> While the company was overall lauded for its quick response amidst [[Criticism of government response to Hurricane Katrina|criticism]] of FEMA, several critics were quick to point out that there still remained issues with the company's labor relations.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/09/news/fortune500/walmart_image/index.htm |title = Wal-Mart redeems itself, but what's next |date = September 9, 2005 |publisher = CNN |accessdate = March 10, 2009 |author = Bhatnagar, Parija |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20091112103847/http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/09/news/fortune500/walmart_image/index.htm |archivedate = November 12, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== 2005–2010: Initiatives ===
[[File:Solar Panels on Caguas, Puerto Rico Walmart.jpg|thumb|Solar modules mounted on a Walmart Supercenter in [[Caguas, Puerto Rico]]|alt=Solar modules mounted on a Walmart Supercenter in Caguas, Puerto Rico]]
==== Environmental initiatives ====
In November 2005, Walmart announced several environmental measures to increase [[efficient energy use|energy efficiency]] and improve its overall environmental record, which had previously been lacking.<ref name="GuntherMark">{{cite news|url=http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/25/news/companies/wal-mart-short.fortune/|title=Wal-Mart sees green|author=Gunther, Mark|date=July 27, 2006|accessdate=November 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822072035/http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/25/news/companies/wal-mart-short.fortune/|archive-date=August 22, 2006|publisher=CNN}}</ref> The company's primary goals included spending $500 million a year to increase fuel efficiency in Walmart's truck fleet by 25 percent over three years and double it within ten; reduce [[greenhouse gas]] emissions by 20 percent in seven years; reduce energy use at stores by 30 percent; and cut solid waste from U.S. stores and Sam's Clubs by 25 percent in three years. CEO Lee Scott said that Walmart's goal was to be a "good steward of the environment" and ultimately use only [[renewable energy]] sources and produce zero waste.<ref name="going_green">{{cite news |url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9815727/ |title = Is Wal-Mart Going Green? |publisher = [[MSNBC]] |date = October 25, 2005 |accessdate = November 8, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071117012705/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9815727/ |archivedate = November 17, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The company also designed three new experimental stores with [[wind turbine]]s, [[photovoltaic]] solar panels, [[biofuel]]-capable boilers, water-cooled refrigerators, and [[xeriscaping|xeriscape]] gardens.<ref>{{cite news |author = Berner, Robert |url = http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2005/nf20050922_6448_db016.htm |title = Can Wal-Mart Wear a White Hat? |work = BusinessWeek |date = September 22, 2005 |accessdate = July 24, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060503192520/http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2005/nf20050922_6448_db016.htm |archivedate = May 3, 2006 }}</ref> In this time, Walmart also became the biggest seller of organic milk and the biggest buyer of organic cotton in the world, while reducing packaging and energy costs.<ref name="GuntherMark" /> In 2007, the company worked with outside consultants to discover its total environmental impact and find areas for improvement. Walmart created its own [[electric power industry|electric company]] in Texas, Texas Retail Energy, planned to supply its stores with cheap power purchased at wholesale prices. Through this new venture, the company expected to save $15 million annually and also to lay the groundwork and infrastructure to sell electricity to Texas consumers in the future.<ref name="redorbit_electricity">{{cite web|url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/817594/will_walmart_sell_electricity_one_day/index.html|title=Will Wal-Mart Sell Electricity One Day?|author=Souder, Elizabeth|date=January 28, 2007|publisher=RedOrbit|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623203730/http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/817594/will_walmart_sell_electricity_one_day/index.html|archivedate=June 23, 2008|deadurl=no|accessdate=March 31, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
==== Branding and store design changes ====
In 2006, Walmart announced that it would remodel its U.S. stores to help it appeal to a wider variety of demographics, including more affluent shoppers. As part of the initiative, the company launched a new store in Plano, Texas that included high-end electronics, jewelry, expensive wines and a sushi bar.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/14714027/ns/business-us_business/t/wal-mart-drop-one-size-fits-all-approach/#.W1c9sdhKhTY|title=Wal-Mart to drop one-size-fits-all approach|date=2006-09-07|work=msnbc.com|access-date=2018-07-24|language=en}}</ref>
On September 12, 2007, Walmart introduced new advertising with the [[slogan]], "''Save money. Live better.''", replacing "''Always Low Prices, Always''", which it had used for the previous 19 years. [[Global Insight]], which conducted the research that supported the ads, found that Walmart's [[price level]] reduction resulted in savings for consumers of $287 billion in 2006, which equated to $957 per person or $2,500 per household (up 7.3 percent from the 2004 savings estimate of $2,329).<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/09/12/us-walmart-advertising-idUSWEN091820070912 |title = Wal-Mart rolling out new company slogan |publisher = Reuters |date = September 12, 2007 |accessdate = December 7, 2012 |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CkWuovb7?url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/09/12/us-walmart-advertising-idUSWEN091820070912 |archivedate = December 8, 2012 }}</ref>
On June 30, 2008, Walmart removed the hyphen from its logo and replaced the star with a ''Spark'' symbol that resembles a sunburst, flower, or star. The new logo received mixed reviews from design critics who questioned whether the new logo was as bold as those of competitors, such as the [[Target Corporation|Target]] bullseye, or as instantly recognizable as the previous company logo, which was used for 18 years.<ref>{{cite web |last = Armin |title = Less Hyphen, More Burst for Walmart |url = http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/less_hyphen_more_burst_for_wal.php |work = Brand New |publisher = UnderConsideration LLC |accessdate = August 9, 2010 |date = June 30, 2008 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100211143200/http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/less_hyphen_more_burst_for_wal.php |archivedate = February 11, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The new logo made its debut on the company's website on July 1, 2008, and its U.S. locations updated store logos in the fall of 2008.<ref name="new_logo">{{cite news |url = http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jul2008/id2008072_324653.htm |title = Wal-Mart Gets a Facelift |last = Jana |first = Reena |date = July 2, 2008 |work = BusinessWeek |accessdate = July 7, 2008 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080706161254/http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jul2008/id2008072_324653.htm |archivedate = July 6, 2008 |df = }}</ref> Walmart Canada started to adopt the logo for its stores in early 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.domain-b.com/industry/Retail/20090214_walmart.html |title = Walmart Canada changes logo, slashes prices |accessdate = December 7, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121102005404/http://domain-b.com/industry/Retail/20090214_walmart.html |archivedate = November 2, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
==== Acquisitions and employee benefits ====
On March 20, 2009, Walmart announced that it was paying a combined {{US$|933.6{{nbsp}}million}} in bonuses to every full and part-time hourly worker.<ref>{{cite news |last = |first = |date = March 20, 2009 |title = Wal-Mart gives $933 mn bonus to workers |url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-03-20/news/28454766_1_wal-mart-chief-executive-mike-duke-wal-mart-stores |newspaper = The Economic Times |location = New York City |publisher = Bennett, Coleman & Co. |accessdate = August 14, 2014 }}</ref> This was in addition to $788.8 million in [[profit sharing]], [[401(k)]] pension contributions, hundreds of millions of dollars in merchandise discounts, and contributions to the employees' stock purchase plan.<ref name="Maestri 09">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart awards $2 billion to U.S. hourly employees |last1 = Maestri |first1 = Nicole |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-walmart-bonus-idUSTRE52I4PS20090319 |agency = [[Reuters]] |date = March 19, 2009 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023532/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-walmart-bonus-idUSTRE52I4PS20090319 |archivedate = March 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> While the economy at large was in an ongoing [[recession]], Walmart reported solid financial figures for the most recent fiscal year (ending January 31, 2009), with $401.2{{nbsp}}billion in net sales, a gain of 7.2{{nbsp}}percent from the prior year. Income from continuing operations increased 3{{nbsp}}percent to $13.3{{nbsp}}billion, and earnings per share rose 6{{nbsp}}percent to $3.35.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.marketwatch.com/story/updates-advisories-and-surprises-200512020190 |title = Updates, advisories and surprises |date = January 20, 2005 |work = The Wall Street Journal |accessdate = December 20, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130120075628/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/updates-advisories-and-surprises-200512020190 |archivedate = January 20, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
On February 22, 2010, the company confirmed it was acquiring [[streaming media|video streaming]] company [[Vudu, Inc.]] for an estimated $100{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704454304575082010734950440.html |title = Walmart Re-Enters Digital Downloading of Movies With Purchase of Vudu |publisher = ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' |date = February 22, 2010 |first = Miguel |last = Bustillo |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130511065803/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704454304575082010734950440.html |archivedate = May 11, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== 2011–present: Continued developments ===
[[File:Walmart’s Grease Fuel Truck.jpg|thumb|upright=1.36|Truck converted to run on biofuel|alt=]]
Walmart's truck fleet logs millions of miles each year, and the company planned to double the fleet's efficiency between 2005 and 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last = Nishimoto |first = Alex |title = Walmart Debuts Turbine-Powered WAVE Semi Truck Prototype |publisher = Motor Trend |date = March 10, 2014 |url = http://wot.motortrend.com/1403_walmart_debuts_turbine_powered_wave_semi_truck_prototype.html |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140415043134/http://wot.motortrend.com/1403_walmart_debuts_turbine_powered_wave_semi_truck_prototype.html |archivedate = April 15, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The truck pictured on the right is one of 15 based at Walmart's [[Buckeye, Arizona]], distribution center that was converted to run on [[biofuel]] from reclaimed cooking grease made during food preparation at Walmart stores.<ref>{{cite web |title = Wal-Mart To Test Hybrid Trucks |publisher = Sustainable Business |date = February 3, 2009 |url = https://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/17599 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140508095041/https://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/17599 |archivedate = May 8, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In January 2011, Walmart announced a program to improve the nutritional value of its store brands over five years, gradually reducing the amount of salt and sugar and completely eliminating [[trans fat]]. Walmart also promised to negotiate with suppliers with respect to nutritional issues, reduce prices for whole foods and vegetables, and open stores in low-income areas, so-called "[[food desert]]s", where there are no supermarkets.<ref>{{cite news |title = Walmart Shifts Strategy to Promote Healthy Foods |author = Sheryl Gay Stolberg |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/business/20walmart.html |newspaper = The New York Times |date = January 20, 2011 |accessdate = January 19, 2011 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110120062857/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/business/20walmart.html |archivedate = January 20, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> On April 23, 2011, the company announced that it was testing its new "Walmart To Go" home delivery system where customers will be able to order specific items offered on their website. The initial test was in [[San Jose, California]], and the company has not yet said whether the delivery system will be rolled out nationwide.<ref name="Reuters 11">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart tests online grocery delivery in California |url = http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/23/business/la-fi-walmart-groceries-20110423 |newspaper = Los Angeles Times |date = April 23, 2016 |accessdate = March 7, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160603041248/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/23/business/la-fi-walmart-groceries-20110423 |archivedate = June 3, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
On November 14, 2012, Walmart launched its first mail subscription service called Goodies. Customers pay a $7 monthly subscription for five to eight delivered food samples each month, so they can try new foods.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2012/11/14/wal-mart-food-subscription/1703481/ |title = Wal-Mart launches food subscription service |work = USA Today |accessdate = November 14, 2012 |date = November 14, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121114134458/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2012/11/14/wal-mart-food-subscription/1703481/ |archivedate = November 14, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In August 2013, the firm announced it was in talks to acquire a majority stake in the [[Kenya]]-based supermarket chain, [[Naivas]].<ref>{{Citation |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/13/us-kenya-naivas-idUSBRE97C0UA20130813 |title = Wal-Mart unit seeks stake in Kenyan supermarket Naivas |publisher = Reuters |publication-place = International |date = August 13, 2013 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924183753/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/13/us-kenya-naivas-idUSBRE97C0UA20130813 |archivedate = September 24, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In June 2014, some Walmart employees went on strike in major U.S. cities demanding higher wages.<ref name="CNNMoney Walmart 2014-06-04">{{cite news |url = http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/04/news/companies/walmart-strike-day/ |title = Wal-Mart workers strike in major cities |last = Sheridan |first = Patrick M. |work = CNN Money |publisher = CNN |date = June 4, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6VsWPvLMG?url=http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/04/news/companies/walmart-strike-day/ |archivedate = January 26, 2015 |accessdate = January 26, 2015 |quote = How can you save money if you're not making enough money? }}</ref> In July 2014, American actor and comedian [[Tracy Morgan]] launched a lawsuit against Walmart seeking punitive damages over a multi-car pile-up which the suit alleges was caused by the driver of one of the firm's tractor-trailers who had not slept for 24 hours. Morgan's limousine was apparently hit by the trailer, injuring him and two fellow passengers and killing a fourth, fellow comedian James McNair.<ref name="MorganWalmart">{{cite news |title = Tracy Morgan sues Walmart over New Jersey turnpike crash |url = http://www.newyorkstatesman.com/index.php/sid/223750105/scat/3a8a80d6f705f8cc/ht/Tracy-Morgan-sues-Walmart-over-New-Jersey-turnpike-crash |accessdate = July 13, 2014 |publisher = ''New York Statesman'' |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714234430/http://www.newyorkstatesman.com/index.php/sid/223750105/scat/3a8a80d6f705f8cc/ht/Tracy-Morgan-sues-Walmart-over-New-Jersey-turnpike-crash |archivedate = July 14, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart settled with the McNair family for $10 million, while admitting no liability.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = McCarthy |first1 = Craig |title = Walmart paid out $10M to family of comedian killed in Tracy Morgan crash, reports say |url = http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/03/walmart_paid_out_10m_to_family_of_comedian_killed_in_tracy_morgan_crash_reports_say.html |accessdate = July 18, 2016 |publisher = NJ.com |date = March 20, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160916204553/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/03/walmart_paid_out_10m_to_family_of_comedian_killed_in_tracy_morgan_crash_reports_say.html |archivedate = September 16, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Morgan and Walmart reached a settlement in 2015 for an undisclosed amount,<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Griffith |first1 = Janelle |last2 = Zambito |first2 = Thomas |title = Tracy Morgan, Wal-Mart reach settlement in lawsuit regarding NJ Turnpike accident |url = http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/05/tracy_morgan_walmart_reach_settlement_of_lawsuit.html |accessdate = July 18, 2016 |publisher = NJ.com |date = August 7, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160916204620/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/05/tracy_morgan_walmart_reach_settlement_of_lawsuit.html |archivedate = September 16, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> though Walmart later accused its insurers of "bad faith" in refusing to pay the settlement.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Sherman |first1 = Ted |title = Wal-Mart insurers accused of 'bad faith' in Tracy Morgan case |url = http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/10/wal-mart_insurers_accused_of_bad_faith_in_tracy_mo.html |accessdate = July 18, 2016 |publisher = NJ.com |date = October 14, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160917031209/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/10/wal-mart_insurers_accused_of_bad_faith_in_tracy_mo.html |archivedate = September 17, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In 2015, the company closed five stores on short notice for plumbing repairs.<ref>{{cite web |author = |url = http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/wal-mart-workers-allege-layoffs-store-closings-were-retaliatory/ar-AAbnLyu?ocid=mailsignout |title = Wal-Mart workers allege layoffs, store closings were retaliatory |publisher = Msn.com |date = |accessdate = April 24, 2015 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150422190855/http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/wal-mart-workers-allege-layoffs-store-closings-were-retaliatory/ar-AAbnLyu?ocid=mailsignout |archivedate = April 22, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> However, employees and the [[United Food and Commercial Workers International Union]] (UFCW) alleged some stores were closed in retaliation for strikes aimed at increasing wages and improving working conditions.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Zillman |first1 = Claire |title = Wal-Mart workers: Store closings due to plumbing are 'retaliatory' |url = http://fortune.com/2015/04/20/walmart-store-closings-plumbing/ |accessdate = July 27, 2016 |publisher = Forbes |date = April 20, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160315131607/http://fortune.com/2015/04/20/walmart-store-closings-plumbing/ |archivedate = March 15, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The UFCW filed a complaint with the [[National Labor Relations Board]]. All five stores have since reopened.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Halkias |first1 = Maria |title = Wal-Mart to reopen 5 stores closed for plumbing issues that became a labor dispute |url = http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2015/09/wal-mart-to-reopen-5-stores-closed-for-plumbing-issues-that-became-a-labor-dispute.html/ |accessdate = July 27, 2016 |publisher = Dallas Morning News |date = September 3, 2015 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160811213623/http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2015/09/wal-mart-to-reopen-5-stores-closed-for-plumbing-issues-that-became-a-labor-dispute.html/ |archivedate = August 11, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> On October 14, 2015, Walmart saw its stock fall 10 percent.<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Verhage |first1 = Julie |title = Wal-Mart's Stock Got Crushed and Wall Street Has a Few Things to Say About It |url = https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wal-marts-stock-got-crushed-100949269.html |website = Yahoo! Finance |publisher = Yahoo! |accessdate = October 15, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151015205504/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wal-marts-stock-got-crushed-100949269.html |archive-date = October 15, 2015 }}</ref> In 2015, Walmart was the biggest US commercial producer of [[solar power]] with 142 [[megawatt|MW]] [[nameplate capacity|capacity]], and had 17 [[energy storage]] projects.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/walmart-corporate-solar-deployments-storage-batteries |title = Wal-Mart Leads the Nation in Corporate Solar Deployments. What Will It Do With Storage? |publisher = |accessdate = October 17, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161016061103/http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/walmart-corporate-solar-deployments-storage-batteries |archivedate = October 16, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-means-business-2015-top-us-corporate-solar-users |title = Solar Means Business 2015: Top U.S. Corporate Solar Users |work = SEIA |accessdate = October 17, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161018215019/http://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-means-business-2015-top-us-corporate-solar-users |archivedate = October 18, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> This solar was primarily on rooftops, whereas there is an additional 20,000 m<sup>2</sup> for solar canopies over parking lots.<ref>Krishnan, R., et al. [https://www.academia.edu/33535233/Technical_Solar_Photovoltaic_Potential_of_Scaled_Parking_Lot_Canopies_A_Case_Study_of_Walmart_U.S.A Technical Solar Photovoltaic Potential of Scaled Parking Lot Canopies- A Case Study of Walmart U.S.A.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030055646/http://www.academia.edu/33535233/Technical_Solar_Photovoltaic_Potential_of_Scaled_Parking_Lot_Canopies_A_Case_Study_of_Walmart_U.S.A |date=October 30, 2017 }} ''RISUS – Journal on Innovation and Sustainability'' '''8'''(2) – 2017.</ref>
On January 15, 2016, Walmart announced it would close 269 stores in 2016, affecting 16,000 workers.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/15/news/companies/walmart-store-closings/index.html |title = Walmart will close 269 stores this year, affecting 16,000 workers |publisher = CNN.com |date = January 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160118041646/http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/15/news/companies/walmart-store-closings/index.html |archivedate = January 18, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> One hundred and fifty-four of these stores earmarked for closure were in the U.S. (150 Walmart U.S. stores, 115 Walmart International stores, and 4{{nbsp}}Sam's Clubs). Ninety-five percent of these U.S. stores were located, on average, 10 miles from another Walmart store.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title = Walmart Closing 269 Stores; To Exit Walmart Express – CoStar Group |url = http://www.costar.com/News/Article/Walmart-Closing-269-Stores;-To-Exit-Walmart-Express/178903 |website = www.costar.com |access-date = January 17, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160117035627/http://www.costar.com/News/Article/Walmart-Closing-269-Stores;-To-Exit-Walmart-Express/178903 |archivedate = January 17, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The 269 stores represented less than 1{{nbsp}}percent of global square footage and revenue for the company. All 102 locations of Walmart Express, which had been in a pilot program since 2011, were included in the closures. Walmart planned to focus on "strengthening Supercenters, optimizing Neighborhood Markets, growing the e-commerce business and expanding pickup services for customers". In fiscal 2017, the company plans to open between 50 and 60 Supercenters, 85 to 95 Neighborhood Markets, 7 to 10 Sam's Clubs, and 200 to 240 international locations.<ref name=":0" /> At the end of fiscal 2016, Walmart opened 38 Supercenters and relocated, expanded or converted 21 discount stores into Supercenters, for a total of 59 Supercenters, and opened 69 Neighborhood Markets, 8 Sam's Clubs, and 173 international locations, and relocated, expanded or converted 4 locations for a total of 177 international locations. On August 8, 2016, Walmart announced a deal to acquire e-commerce website Jet.com for US$3.3 billion<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/08/08/walmart-acquires-jetcom-for-3-billion/88386988/ |title = Why Walmart is spending $3B for online seller Jet.com |work = [[USA Today]] |author = Hadley Malcolm |date = August 8, 2016 |accessdate = October 6, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161010053719/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/08/08/walmart-acquires-jetcom-for-3-billion/88386988/ |archivedate = October 10, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.recode.net/2016/8/7/12395114/walmart-jet-acquisition-3-billion-price |title = Walmart is buying Jet.com for $3 billion |last = Rey |first = Jason Del |date = August 8, 2016 |website = Recode |access-date = August 8, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160808221507/http://www.recode.net/2016/8/7/12395114/walmart-jet-acquisition-3-billion-price |archivedate = August 8, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Jet.com co-founder and [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] [[Marc Lore]] stayed on to run Jet.com in addition to Walmart's existing U.S. e-commerce operation. The acquisition was structured as a payout of $3 billion in cash, and an additional $300 million in Walmart stock vested over time as part of an incentive bonus plan for Jet.com executives.<ref name="Walmart-Inc-Aug-2016-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/1267/0000104169-16-000113.pdf |title=Walmart Inc, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Aug 8, 2016 |publisher=secdatabase.com |accessdate =Apr 23, 2018}}</ref> On October 19, 2016, Walmart announced it would partner with IBM and Tsinghua University to track the pork supply chain in China using blockchain.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.yahoo.com/tech/walmart-and-ibm-will-use-blockchain-to-track-pork-from-china-142530691.html |title = Walmart to team with IBM (IBM) and Tsinghua University to track the pork supply chain in China using blockchain |last = Roberts |first = Daniel |date = October 19, 2016 |access-date = October 20, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161021073245/https://www.yahoo.com/tech/walmart-and-ibm-will-use-blockchain-to-track-pork-from-china-142530691.html |archivedate = October 21, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
On February 15, 2017, Walmart announced the acquisition of Moosejaw, a leading online active outdoor retailer, for approximately $51 million. The acquisition closed on February 13, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://news.walmart.com/_news_/2017/02/15/walmart-announces-the-acquisition-of-moosejaw-a-leading-online-outdoor-retailer |title = Walmart Announces the Acquisition of Moosejaw, a Leading Online Outdoor Retailer |access-date = March 12, 2017 }}</ref> On June 16, 2017, Walmart agreed to acquire the men's apparel company [[Bonobos (apparel)|Bonobos]] for $310 million in an effort to expand its fashion holdings.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/06/16/business/walmart-bonobos-merger.html |title = Walmart to Buy Bonobos, Men's Wear Company, for $310 Million |website = mobile.nytimes.com |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170617084010/https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/06/16/business/walmart-bonobos-merger.html |archivedate = June 17, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> As the deal's announcement coincided with [[Amazon.com|Amazon's]] acquisition of [[Whole Foods Market]], the stock market reacted negatively, with Walmart's holdings on the [[New York Stock Exchange|NYSE]] falling by 6%. On September 29, 2017, Walmart acquired Parcel, a technology-based, same-day and last-mile delivery company in [[Brooklyn]].<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://blog.walmart.com/business/20171003/who-is-parcel-what-this-delivery-company-means-to-walmart |title = Who is Parcel? What This Delivery Company Means to Walmart |website = blog.walmart.com |language = en |access-date = November 6, 2017 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20171107055646/https://blog.walmart.com/business/20171003/who-is-parcel-what-this-delivery-company-means-to-walmart |archivedate = November 7, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The acquisition announcement saw Walmart shares rise more than 1%.<ref>{{Cite news |url = http://thestreet.com/video/14328575/walmart-shares-jump-following-acquisition-leading-dow-higher.html |title = Walmart Shares Jump Following Acquisition, Leading Dow Higher |last = Keitz |first = Anders |date = October 3, 2017 |work = TheStreet |access-date = November 6, 2017 |language = en-US |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20171109033231/https://www.thestreet.com/video/14328575/walmart-shares-jump-following-acquisition-leading-dow-higher.html |archivedate = November 9, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> On December 6, 2017, Walmart announced that it will change its corporate name to Walmart Inc. from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. effective February 1, 2018.<ref name="Walmart-Inc-Dec-2017-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/2571/0000104169-17-000084.pdf |title=Walmart Inc, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Dec 6, 2017 |publisher=secdatabase.com |accessdate =Apr 23, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Walmart Inc">{{Cite web |url = https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/wal-marts-new-name-its-not-just-a-store-anymore/ar-BBGjaxa?li=BBnb7Kz |title = Wal-Mart's New Name: It's Not Just a Store Anymore |website = www.msn.com |access-date = December 6, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171207025508/https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/wal-marts-new-name-its-not-just-a-store-anymore/ar-BBGjaxa?li=BBnb7Kz |archive-date = December 7, 2017 |dead-url = yes |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In March 2018, Walmart announced that it is producing its own brand of [[meal kits]] in all of its stores that is priced under [[Blue Apron]] designed to serve two people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/5/17081466/walmart-meal-kit-in-store-blue-apron-amazon|title=Walmart now makes and sells meal kits in stores|publisher=}}</ref>
It was reported that Walmart is now looking at entering the subscription-video space, hoping to compete with Netflix and Amazon. They have enlisted the help of former Epix CEO, Mark Greenberg, to help develop a low-cost subscription video-streaming service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/walmart-mark-greenberg-streaming-video-subscription-netflix-amazon-1202881274/|title=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/walmart-mark-greenberg-streaming-video-subscription-netflix-amazon-1202881274/|publisher=Variety}}</ref>
In September 2018, Walmart partnered with comedian and talk show host [[Ellen DeGeneres]] to launch a new brand of women's apparel and accessories called EV1.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kratofil |first1=Colleen |title=Ellen DeGeneres' New Fashion Line for Walmart Is Here - and It's All Under $30 |url=https://people.com/style/ellen-degeneres-walmart-clothing-line-ev1/ |website=PEOPLE.com |publisher=Meredith Corporation |accessdate=11 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
=== 2000s crime problem ===
According to an August 2016 report by ''[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]'', aggressive cost-cutting decisions that began in 2000 when Lee Scott took over as CEO of the company led to a significant increase in crime in stores across the United States. These included the removal of the store's famed greeters, which are in part seen as a theft deterrent at exits, the replacement of many cashiers with self-checkout stations, and the addition of stores at a rate that exceeded the hiring of new employees which led to a 19% increase in space per employee from a decade previous. While these decisions succeeded in increasing profits 23% in the decade that followed, it led to an increase in both theft and violent crime.<ref name=":1" />
In 2015 under CEO [[Doug McMillon]], Walmart began a company-wide campaign to reduce crime that included spot-checking receipts at exits, stationing employees at self-checkout areas, eye-level security cameras in high-theft areas, use of data analytics to detect credit fraud, hiring off-duty police and private security officers, and reducing calls to police with a program by which first-time offenders caught stealing merchandise below a certain value can avoid arrest if they agree to go through a theft-prevention program.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-walmart-crime/ |title = Walmart's Out-of-Control Crime Problem is Driving Police Crazy |last = Pettypiece |first = Shannon |magazine = Bloomberg Businessweek |date = August 17, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160818000539/https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-walmart-crime/ |archivedate = August 18, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Law enforcement agencies across the United States have noted a burden on resources created by a disproportionate number of calls from Walmart. Experts have criticized the retailer for shifting its security burden onto the taxpayers. They found that 25% of arrests overall in St. Petersburg, Florida are made at just one Walmart. Across three Florida counties, approximately 9,000 police calls were logged to 53 Walmart stores but resulted in only a few hundred arrests.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.tampabay.com/projects/2016/public-safety/walmart-police/|title=Tampa Bay Walmarts get thousands of police calls leaving taxpayers to pay the bill.|access-date=2018-02-12}}</ref> In [[Granite Falls, North Carolina]], 92% of [[larceny]] calls to local police were from the Walmart store there.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wsoctv.com/news/9-investigates/walmart-has-become-crime-magnet-in-many-north-carolina-cities/695879615|title=Walmart has become crime magnet in many North Carolina cities|last=Faherty|first=Dave|date=2018-02-09|work=WSOC|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US}}</ref> The trend is similar in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Police are called to Walmart stores 3 to 4 times as much as similar retailers such as Target.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/news/crime-and-courts/4303214-analysis-police-called-disproportionately-walmart-stores|title=Analysis: Police called disproportionately to Walmart stores|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en}}</ref> Experts say the chain and its razor thin profit margins rely heavily on police to protect its bottom line. Walmart Supercenters top the list of those most visited by police.<ref name=":2" />
In addition to hundreds of thousands of petty crimes, more than 200 violent crimes, including attempted kidnappings, stabbings, shootings, and murders occurred at the 4,500 Walmarts in the U.S. in 2016.<ref name=":1" />
== Operating divisions ==
{{See also|List of assets owned by Walmart}}
[[File:Walmart footprint.png|thumb|Map of Walmart stores in the U.S., {{As of|2010|August|df=US|lc=y}}|alt=]]
Walmart's operations are organized into four divisions: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, [[Sam's Club]] and Global eCommerce.<ref name="annrep">"{{cite web |url = |title = 13.4 MB }}13.4 MB." Walmart. 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2016.</ref> The company offers various retail formats throughout these divisions, including supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash-and-carry stores, home improvement, specialty electronics, restaurants, apparel stores, drugstores, convenience stores, and digital retail.<ref name="2016 Annual Report Page 19">{{cite web |url = http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2016/annual/2016-Annual-Report-PDF.pdf |title = Walmart 2016 Annual Report |website = stock.walmart.com |publisher = Walmart |page = 19 |type = [[PDF]] |access-date = May 9, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160602123325/http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2016/annual/2016-Annual-Report-PDF.pdf |archivedate = June 2, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== Walmart U.S. ===
'''Walmart U.S.''' is the company's largest division, accounting for {{US$|298.38{{nbsp}}billion}}, or 62.3 percent of total sales, for fiscal 2016.<ref name="2016 Annual Report Page 20">{{cite web |url = http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2016/annual/2016-Annual-Report-PDF.pdf |title = Walmart 2016 Annual Report |last = |first = |author = |author-link = |last2 = |first2 = |author2 = |author-link2 = |date = |year = |editor-last = |editor-first = |editor = |editor-link = |editor1-last = |editor1-first = |editor1-link = |editor2-last = |editor2-first = |editor2-link = |editors = |department = |website = stock.walmart.com |series = |publisher = Walmart |location = |page = 20 |pages = |at = |language = |script-title = |trans-title = |type = PDF |arxiv = |asin = |bibcode = |doi = |doi-broken-date = |isbn = |issn = |jfm = |jstor = |lccn = |mr = |oclc = |ol = |osti = |pmc = |pmid = |rfc = |ssrn = |zbl = |id = |access-date = May 9, 2016 |quote = |ref = |postscript = |subscription = |registration = |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160602123325/http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2016/annual/2016-Annual-Report-PDF.pdf |archivedate = June 2, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> It consists of three retail formats that have become commonplace in the United States: [[Hypermarket|Supercenters]], [[Discount store|Discount Stores]], [[Walmart Neighborhood Market|Neighborhood Markets]], and other small formats. The discount stores sell a variety of mostly non-grocery products, though emphasis has now shifted towards supercenters, which include more groceries. {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} there are a total of 4,761 Walmart U.S. stores.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> In the United States, 90 percent of the population resides within 10 miles of a Walmart store.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Robin |url=https://www.therobinreport.com/walmarts-last-ten-miles-quicker-and-cheaper-than-amazon/ |title=Walmart’s “Last Ten Miles” – Quicker and Cheaper Than Amazon |work=The Robin Report |date=2018-02-21 |accessdate=2018-09-13 }}</ref>
The president and CEO of Walmart U.S. is Greg Foran.<ref>Corporate.walmart.com, (2014). Greg Foran. [online] Available at: {{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/leadership/executive-management/greg-foran |title = Archived copy |accessdate = September 27, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141007224918/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/leadership/executive-management/greg-foran |archivedate = October 7, 2014 |df = mdy-all }} [Accessed October 31, 2014].</ref>
==== Walmart Supercenter ====
[[File:Walmart Supercenter, North Windham, CT.jpg|alt=Walmart Supercenter|thumb|A Walmart Supercenter in [[Windham, Connecticut]].]]
'''Walmart Supercenters''', branded simply as "Walmart", are [[hypermarket]]s with sizes varying from {{convert|69000|to|260000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}}, but averaging about {{convert|178000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}}.<ref name="2018 10-K" /> These stock general merchandise and a full-service supermarket, including meat and poultry, [[baking|baked goods]], [[delicatessen]], [[frozen food]]s, dairy products, garden [[produce]], and fresh seafood. Many Walmart Supercenters also have a garden center, [[pet store|pet shop]], [[pharmacy]], Tire & [[Oil change|Lube]] Express, optical center, [[Photographic processing|one-hour photo processing lab]], portrait studio, and numerous alcove shops, such as cellular phone stores, hair and nail salons, video rental stores, local bank branches (such as [[Woodforest National Bank]] branches in newer locations), and fast food outlets.
Many Walmart Supercenters have featured McDonald's restaurants, but in 2007, Walmart announced it would stop opening McDonald's restaurants at most of their newer stores, most likely due to nutrition. Most locations that opened up after the announcement had Subway as their restaurants, and some McDonald's inside the stores were replaced with [[Subway (restaurant)|Subways]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/09/13/walmart-dumps-mcdonalds-f_n_64322.html |work = Huffington Post |first = Michelle |last = Kung |title = Walmart Dumps McDonald's For Subway As In-Store Restaurateur |date = September 13, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160831234228/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/09/13/walmart-dumps-mcdonalds-f_n_64322.html |archivedate = August 31, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In some Canadian locations, Tim Hortons were opened. Recently, in several Supercenters, like the [[Tallahassee, FL]] location, Walmart added [[Burger King]] to their locations.
Some locations also have fuel stations which sell gasoline distributed by [[Murphy USA]] (which spun off from [[Murphy Oil]] in 2013), [[Sunoco, Inc.]] ("Optima"), the [[Tesoro]] Corporation ("Mirastar"), USA Gasoline, and even now Walmart-branded gas stations.<ref name="CSNews_WMGas" />
The first Supercenter opened in Washington, Missouri, in 1988. A similar concept, [[Hypermart USA]], had opened a year earlier in [[Garland, Texas]]. All Hypermart USA stores were later closed or converted into Supercenters.
{{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} there were 3,561 Walmart Supercenters in 49 of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> Hawaii is the only state to not have a Supercenter location. The largest Supercenter in the United States, covering {{convert|260000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}} on two floors, is located in [[Crossgates Commons]] in [[Albany, New York]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.albany.com/news/walmart.cfm |title = Largest Walmart Supercenter In US Finds Home In Albany NY |publisher = Albany.com |accessdate = December 23, 2008 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081012220544/http://www.albany.com/news/walmart.cfm |archivedate = October 12, 2008 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
A typical supercenter sells approximately 120,000 items, compared to the 35 million products sold in Walmart's online store.<ref>{{cite news |last = Boyle |first = Matthew |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-12/wal-mart-to-discount-1-million-online-items-picked-up-in-stores |title = Wal-Mart to Discount One Million Online Items Picked Up in Stores |work = [[Bloomberg News]] |date = April 12, 2017 |accessdate = April 12, 2017 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170412042938/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-12/wal-mart-to-discount-1-million-online-items-picked-up-in-stores |archivedate = April 12, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
The "Supercenter" name has since been phased out, with these stores now simply referred to as "Walmart", since the company introduced the new Walmart logo in 2008. However, the branding is still used in Walmart's Canadian stores (spelled as "Supercentre" in Canadian English).<ref>{{cite web |url = http://walmartcanada.ca/Pages/History/168/170/170 |title = Walmart Canada – Corporate Information |publisher = Walmartcanada.ca |date = |accessdate = April 24, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141204021716/http://walmartcanada.ca/Pages/History/168/170/170 |archive-date = December 4, 2014 }}</ref>
==== Walmart Discount Store ====
[[File:Wal-Mart Albemarle Rd Charlotte, NC (7580001150).jpg|thumb|The exterior of the Walmart Discount Store in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]|alt=The exterior of the Walmart Discount Store in Charlotte, North Carolina]]
'''Walmart Discount Stores''', also branded as simply "Walmart", are discount department stores with sizes varying from {{convert|30000|to|206000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}}, with the average store covering {{convert|105000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}}.<ref name="2018 10-K" /> They carry [[general merchandise]] and limited [[grocery|groceries]]. Some newer and remodeled discount stores have an expanded grocery department, similar to Target's PFresh department. Many of these stores also feature a garden center, pharmacy, Tire & Lube Express, optical center, one-hour photo processing lab, portrait studio, a bank branch, a cell phone store, and a fast food outlet. Some also have gasoline stations.<ref name="CSNews_WMGas">{{cite news |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-29/Walmart-to-offer-customers-discount-gas-as-prices-rise.html |title = Walmart to Offer Customers Discount Gas As Prices Rise |publisher = [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg.com]] |date = August 29, 2012 |accessdate = December 7, 2012 |author = Welch, David |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CkXOibVh?url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-29/wal-mart-to-offer-customers-discount-gas-as-prices-rise.html |archivedate = December 8, 2012 }}</ref> Discount Stores were Walmart's original concept, though they have since been surpassed by Supercenters.
In 1990, Walmart opened its first Bud's Discount City location in Bentonville. Bud's operated as a closeout store, much like [[Big Lots]]. Many locations were opened to fulfill leases in shopping centers as Walmart stores left and moved into newly built Supercenters. All of the Bud's Discount City stores had closed or converted into Walmart Discount Stores by 1997.<ref name="DSN Retailing Today 97">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart shuttering 7-year old Bud's chain |url = http://www.nexis.com/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=5J0R-BSJ1-DYBW-21K0&csi=8399&oc=00240&perma=true |newspaper = DSN Retailing Today |date = August 4, 1997 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307161925/http://www.nexis.com/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=5J0R-BSJ1-DYBW-21K0&csi=8399&oc=00240&perma=true |archivedate = March 7, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
{{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} there were 400 Walmart Discount Stores in 41 states and Puerto Rico.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, District of Columbia, West Virginia, and Wyoming are the only states and territories where a discount store does not operate.
==== Walmart Neighborhood Market ====
[[File:WalMartNeighborhoodMarketHoustonHillcroft.JPG|thumb|Walmart Neighborhood Market in [[Houston]], Texas]]
'''Walmart Neighborhood Market''' sometimes branded as "Neighborhood Market by Walmart" or informally known as "Neighborhood Walmart", is Walmart's chain of smaller [[grocery stores]] ranging from {{convert|28000|to|65000|sqft|abbr=off|sp=us}} and averaging about {{convert|42000|sqft|abbr=off}}, about a fifth of the size of a Walmart Supercenter.<ref name="2018 10-K" /><ref name="Peterson October 15">{{cite news |title = What it's like to shop at Walmart's store of the future, which is becoming a threat to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's |last1 = Peterson |first1 = Hayley |url = http://www.businessinsider.com/walmarts-store-of-the-future-photos-2015-10 |newspaper = [[Business Insider]] |date = October 27, 2015 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160326155516/http://www.businessinsider.com/walmarts-store-of-the-future-photos-2015-10 |archivedate = March 26, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The first Walmart Neighborhood Market opened in 1998, yet Walmart renewed its focus on the smaller grocery store format in the 2010s.<ref name="Loeb 14">{{cite news |title = Why Walmart suddenly thinks smaller is better |last1 = Loeb |first1 = Walter |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/walterloeb/2014/06/16/why-walmart-suddenly-thinks-smaller-is-better/ |magazine = [[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]] |date = June 16, 2014 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923092938/http://www.forbes.com/sites/walterloeb/2014/06/16/why-walmart-suddenly-thinks-smaller-is-better/ |archivedate = September 23, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
The stores focus on three of Walmart's major sales categories: groceries, which account for about 55 percent of the company's revenue,<ref name="Fox 13">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart: The $200 billion grocer |last1 = Fox |first1 = Emily Jane |url = http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/31/news/companies/walmart-grocery/ |newspaper = [[CNNMoney]] |date = January 31, 2013 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170113214317/http://money.cnn.com/2013/01/31/news/companies/walmart-grocery |archivedate = January 13, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Wahba|first=Phil|date=1 February 2018|title=Retailers' Secret Weapon Is ... Food?|url=<!--from print edition-->|journal=Fortune|volume=|pages=15|issn=0015-8259|quote=...U.S. grocery business that makes up 56% of its revenue....|via=}}</ref> pharmacy, and, at some stores, fuel.<ref name="Peterson July 15">{{cite news |title = What it's like inside Wal-Mart's new marketplace that's a threat to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's |last1 = Peterson |first1 = Hayley |last2 = |first2 = |url = http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-walmarts-neighborhood-markets-2015-7 |newspaper = Business Insider |date = July 4, 2015 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081213/http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-walmarts-neighborhood-markets-2015-7 |archivedate = March 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> For groceries and consumables, the stores sell fresh produce, deli and bakery items, prepared foods, meat, dairy, organic, general grocery and frozen foods, in addition to cleaning products and pet supplies.<ref name="Peterson October 15" /><ref name="Mossman 12">{{cite news |title = Walmart unveils five new Neighborhood Markets in Denver area |last1 = Mossman |first1 = John |url = http://www.denverpost.com/ci_20894819/walmart-unveils-five-new-neighborhood-markets-denver-area |newspaper = [[Denver Post]] |date = June 20, 2012 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150702014738/http://www.denverpost.com/ci_20894819/walmart-unveils-five-new-neighborhood-markets-denver-area |archivedate = July 2, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Some stores offer wine and beer sales<ref name="Peterson October 15" /> and drive-through pharmacies.<ref name="Gute 15">{{cite news |title = Neighborhood Market opens in Midtown Center |last1 = Gute |first1 = Melissa |url = http://www.nexis.com/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=5HC4-34K1-DY70-0096&csi=8399&oc=00240&perma=true |newspaper = [[Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]] |date = November 12, 2015 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |quote = While most Neighborhood Markets have a drink bar and a few have a pizza program, this market also has a seating area where people can eat lunch, Kirk said. It's an amenity included because of location. The pizza program allows customers to either select pre-made pizzas or build their own and have them oven-baked there in 5 minutes. The market has 31,000 square feet and includes a deli and bakery. It offers fresh produce, meat and other groceries, according to a news release. It also includes a pharmacy with a drive-thru window. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170905004036/http://www.nexis.com/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=5HC4-34K1-DY70-0096&csi=8399&oc=00240&perma=true |archivedate = September 5, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Some stores, such as one at Midtown Center in Bentonville, Arkansas, offer made-to-order pizza with a seating area for eating.<ref name="Gute 15" /> Customers can also use Walmart's site-to-store operation and pick up online orders at Walmart Neighborhood Market stores.<ref name="Stark 12">{{cite news |title = Walmart Neighborhood Market, first on West Coast, opens Firday in West Linn |last1 = Stark |first1 = Rachel |url = http://www.oregonlive.com/west-linn/index.ssf/2012/05/walmart_neighborhood_market_fi.html |newspaper = [[The Oregonian]] |date = May 21, 2012 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20151123230536/http://www.oregonlive.com/west-linn/index.ssf/2012/05/walmart_neighborhood_market_fi.html |archivedate = November 23, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Products at Walmart Neighborhood Market stores carry the same prices as those at Walmart's larger supercenters. A [[Moody's Investor Services|Moody's]] analyst said the wider company's pricing structure gives the chain of grocery stores a "competitive advantage" over competitors [[Whole Foods]], [[Kroger]] and [[Trader Joe's]].<ref name="Peterson July 15" />
Neighborhood Market stores expanded slowly at first as a way to fill gaps between Walmart Supercenters and Discount Stores in existing markets.<ref name="Birchall 10">{{cite news |title = Walmart takes smaller format path to growth |last1 = Birchall |first1 = Jonathan |url = http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/a7757fe6-d737-11df-9cd5-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3lGGVFr9S |newspaper = [[Financial Times]] |date = October 14, 2010 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 |quote = With about 180 stores, the retailer has focused on using them to fill in between Supercenters in areas such as Dallas, Las Vegas and Orlando, rather than to develop new markets. }}</ref> In its first 12 years, the company opened about 180 Walmart Neighborhood Markets.<ref name="Birchall 10" /> By 2010, Walmart said it was ready to accelerate its expansion plans for the grocery stores.<ref name="Birchall 10" /> {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} there were 701 Walmart Neighborhood Markets,<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> each employing between 90 and 95 full-time and part-time workers.<ref name="Darrow 15">{{cite news |title = Walmart to build Neighborhood Market |last1 = Darrow |first1 = Dennis |url = http://www.chieftain.com/news/top/3896796-120/walmart-neighborhood-pueblo-store |newspaper = [[Pueblo Chieftain]] |date = August 31, 2015 |accessdate = March 16, 2016 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
==== Former stores and concepts ====
[[File:Walmart Neighborhood Market, Alma.JPG|thumb|2015 photo of a Walmart Express branded as a Walmart Neighborhood Market in [[Alma, Georgia]] that closed in 2016|alt=2015 photo of a Walmart Express branded as a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Alma, Georgia that closed in 2016]]
Walmart opened '''Supermercado de Walmart''' locations to appeal to [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]] communities in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5676N820090708 |title = Walmart woos Hispanics with new Supermercado |publisher = ''Reuters'' |accessdate = December 20, 2009 |date = July 8, 2009 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100118093414/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5676N820090708 |archivedate = January 18, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The first one, a {{convert|39000|sqft|sqm|abbr=off|adj=on|sp=us}} store in the [[Spring Branch, Houston|Spring Branch]] area of [[Houston]], opened on April 29, 2009.<ref name="HoustonChron">{{cite news |last = Moreno |first = Jenalia |title = Walmart gives Supermercado concept a local tryout |url = http://www.chron.com/business/article/Wal-Mart-gives-Supermercado-concept-a-local-tryout-1724512.php |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |newspaper = Houston Chronicle |date = April 30, 2009 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131215100003/http://www.chron.com/business/article/Wal-Mart-gives-Supermercado-concept-a-local-tryout-1724512.php |archivedate = December 15, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The store was a conversion of an existing Walmart Neighborhood Market.<ref>{{cite news |author = Wollam, Allison |url = http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/03/23/story1.html |title = Walmart chooses Houston as test market for Supermercado de Walmart |work = [[Houston Business Journal]] |date = March 20, 2009 |accessdate = June 28, 2010 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20101101063338/http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/03/23/story1.html |archivedate = November 1, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2009, another Supermercado de Walmart opened in [[Phoenix, Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web |author = Burwell, Sloane |url = http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/2009/06/viva_el_mercado_supermercado_d.php |title = Viva El Mercado Supermercado De Walmart |work = [[Phoenix New Times]] |date = June 17, 2009 |accessdate = February 1, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604093916/http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/2009/06/viva_el_mercado_supermercado_d.php |archivedate = June 4, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Both locations closed in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://swamplot.com/supermercado-de-walmart-americas-first-and-last-latino-themed-walmart-grocery-store-has-closed-down-for-good/2014-11-06/ |title = Supermercado de Walmart, America's First and Last Latino-Themed Walmart Grocery Store, Has Closed Down for Good |work = Swamplot |date = January 21, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160129043403/http://swamplot.com/supermercado-de-walmart-americas-first-and-last-latino-themed-walmart-grocery-store-has-closed-down-for-good/2014-11-06/ |archivedate = January 29, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2009, Walmart opened "Mas Club", a warehouse retail operation patterned after Sam's Club. Its lone store closed in 2014.<ref name="HoustonChron" />
'''Walmart Express''' was a chain of smaller discount stores with a range of services from groceries to check cashing and gasoline service. The concept was focused on small towns deemed unable to support a larger store, and large cities where space was at a premium. Walmart planned to build 15 to 20 Walmart Express stores, focusing on Arkansas, North Carolina and Chicago, by the end of its fiscal year in January 2012. {{As of|2014|September|df=US|post=,}} Walmart re-branded all of its Express format stores to Neighborhood Markets in an effort to streamline its retail offer. It continued to open new Express stores under the Neighborhood Market name. {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} there were 99 small-format stores in the United States. These include Amigo (17 locations), E-Commerce Acquisition / C-stores (59 locations), and other store formats (23 locations).<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> On January 15, 2016, Walmart announced that it will be closing 269 stores globally, including all 102 U.S. Walmart Express stores, including those branded as Neighborhood Markets.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/wal-mart-to-close-269-stores-globally-1452868122?mod=e2fb |title = Wal-Mart Makes Rare Retreat on Home Turf |author = Sarah Nassauer and Kate Davidson |date = January 16, 2016 |work = WSJ |accessdate = February 17, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160126044434/http://www.wsj.com/articles/wal-mart-to-close-269-stores-globally-1452868122?mod=e2fb |archivedate = January 26, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
==== Initiatives ====
In September 2006, Walmart announced a pilot program to sell [[generic drug]]s at $4{{nbsp}}per prescription. The program was launched at stores in the [[Tampa, Florida]], area, and by January 2007 had been expanded to all stores in Florida. While the average price of generics is{{nbsp}}$29 per prescription, compared to{{nbsp}}$102 for name-brand drugs, Walmart maintains that it is not selling at a loss, or providing them as an act of charity—instead, they are using the same mechanisms of mass distribution that it uses to bring lower prices to other products.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6119292 |title = Walmart to Sell Generic Drugs for $4 |last = Silberner |first = Joanne |date = September 21, 2006 |publisher = [[All Things Considered]] ([[NPR]]) |accessdate = March 10, 2009 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100127064901/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6119292 |archivedate = January 27, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Many of Walmart's low cost generics are imported from India, where they are made by drug makers that include [[Ranbaxy Laboratories|Ranbaxy]] and [[Cipla]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=326184 |title = Pharma firms boost Walmart revenues |publisher = ''[[Business Standard]]'' |date = June 16, 2008 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117025420/http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=326184 |archivedate = January 17, 2013 }}</ref>
On February 6, 2007, the company launched a "beta" version of a movie download service, which sold about 3,000 films and television episodes from all major studios and television networks.<ref name="moviedownload">{{cite news |url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250417,00.html |title = Walmart Launches Online Movie Download Service |publisher = [[Fox News Channel]] |date = February 6, 2007 |accessdate = February 14, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070209182526/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250417,00.html |archivedate = February 9, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The service was discontinued on December 21, 2007 due to low sales.<ref name="moviedownloaddiscontinued">{{cite news |author = Matt Richtel |author2 = Brad Stone |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/technology/01iht-walmart.1.8968826.html |title = Walmart's movie download service passes into ignominy |work = The New York Times |date = January 1, 2008 |accessdate = January 2, 2008 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150904032106/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/technology/01iht-walmart.1.8968826.html |archivedate = September 4, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In 2008, Walmart started a pilot program in the small grocery store concept called Marketside in the metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, area. The four stores closed in 2011.<ref name="Jarman_Max">{{cite news |last = Jarman |first = Max |title = Walmart closes its 4 Marketside stores in the Phoenix area. |url = http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2011/10/16/20111016biz-walmart1016.html |accessdate = July 22, 2012 |newspaper = [[The Arizona Republic]] |date = October 16, 2011 }}</ref>
In 2015, Walmart began testing a free grocery pickup service, allowing customers to select products online and choose their pickup time. At the store, a Walmart employee loads the groceries into the customer's car. {{As of|2017|December|17|df=US|post=,}} the service is available in 39 U.S. states.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://grocery.walmart.com/locations/index.html|title=Online Grocery Shopping {{!}} Free Pickup {{!}} Walmart Grocery|website=grocery.walmart.com|access-date=2017-12-17}}</ref>
In May 2016, Walmart announced a change to ShippingPass, its three-day shipping service, and that it will move from a three-day delivery to two-day delivery to remain competitive with Amazon.<ref>Sarah Perez, TechCrunch. "[https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/12/walmart-begins-testing-2-day-shipping-service-to-take-on-amazon-prime/ Walmart begins testing 2-day shipping service to take on Amazon Prime] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525041834/https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/12/walmart-begins-testing-2-day-shipping-service-to-take-on-amazon-prime/ |date=May 25, 2017 }}." May 12, 2016. May 13, 2016.</ref> Walmart priced it at 49 dollars per year, compared to Amazon Prime's 99 dollar per year price.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2016/06/29/walmart-amps-up-campaign-to-take-on-amazon-prime/ |title = Walmart amps up campaign to take on Amazon Prime |work = [[The Washington Post]] |author = Sarah Halzack |date = June 29, 2016 |accessdate = October 6, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161011192121/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2016/06/29/walmart-amps-up-campaign-to-take-on-amazon-prime/ |archivedate = October 11, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.yahoo.com/tech/amazon-prime-day-deals-not-160751363.html |title = Walmart Competes with Amazon.com |last = Chang |first = Lulu |date = July 11, 2016 |access-date = July 11, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160709211447/https://www.yahoo.com/tech/amazon-prime-day-deals-not-160751363.html |archivedate = July 9, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In June 2016, Walmart and Sam's Club announced that they would begin testing a last-mile grocery delivery that used services including [[Uber (company)|Uber]], [[Lyft]], and [[Deliv]], to bring customers' orders to their homes. Walmart customers would be able to shop using the company's online grocery service at grocery.walmart.com, then request delivery at checkout for a small fee. The first tests were planned to go live in Denver and Phoenix.<ref>Sarah Perez, TechCrunch. "[https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/02/walmart-will-test-last-mile-grocery-delivery-via-uber-lyft-and-deliv/ Walmart will test last-mile grocery delivery via Uber, Lyft and Deliv] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525042145/https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/02/walmart-will-test-last-mile-grocery-delivery-via-uber-lyft-and-deliv/ |date=May 25, 2017 }}." June 2, 2016. June 3, 2016.</ref> Walmart announced on March 14, 2018 that it would expand online delivery to 100 metropolitan regions in the United States, the equivalent of 40 percent of households, by the end of the year of 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/14/business/dealbook/walmart-online-delivery-groceries.html|title=Walmart Expands Online Grocery Delivery to 100 Cities|last=Hsu|first=Tiffany|date=2018-03-14|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-04-03|last2=Wingfield|first2=Nick|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
=== Walmart International ===
[[File:WalMart international locations.svg|right|thumb|Walmart international locations (former locations in red)]]
{{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} Walmart's international operations comprised 6,360 stores<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> and 800,000 workers in 26{{nbsp}}countries outside the United States.<ref name=Walmart_international>{{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/international |title = Walmart International |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140118112937/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/international |archivedate = January 18, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> There are wholly owned operations in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the UK. With 2.2{{nbsp}}million employees worldwide, the company is the largest private employer in the U.S. and Mexico, and one of the largest in Canada.<ref name=OurBusiness>{{cite web |title = Walmart Corporate: Our Business |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/ |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140103075916/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/ |archivedate = January 3, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In fiscal 2016, Walmart's international division sales were {{US$|123.408{{nbsp}}billion}}, or 25.8{{nbsp}}percent of total sales.<ref name="2016 Annual Report Page 20" /> International retail units range from {{convert|8900|to|186000|sqft|abbr=off}}, wholesale units range from {{convert|35000|to|185000|sqft|abbr=off}} and other units (including drugstores and convenience stores) range up to {{convert|2400|sqft|abbr=off}}.<ref name="2018 10-K" /> Judith McKenna is the president and CEO.<ref name="walmart.com">{{cite web|url=https://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/leadership|title=Leadership|website=corporate.walmart.com}}</ref>
==== Argentina ====
Walmart Argentina was founded in 1995 and, {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|lc=y|post=,}} operates 106 stores under the banners Walmart Supercenter (32 locations), Changomas (52 locations), Changomas Express (8 locations), Mi Changomas (8 locations), and Walmart Supermercado (6 locations).<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
==== Brazil ====
[[File:Hiper Bompreço.JPG|thumb|[[Bompreço]] in [[Natal, Brazil]]]]
In 2004, Walmart bought the 118{{nbsp}}stores in the [[Bompreço]] supermarket chain in northeastern Brazil. In late 2005, it took control of the Brazilian operations of Sonae Distribution Group through its new subsidiary, WMS Supermercados do Brasil, thus acquiring control of the Nacional and Mercadorama supermarket chains, the leaders in the [[Rio Grande do Sul]] and [[Paraná (state)|Paraná]] states, respectively. None of these stores were rebranded. {{As of|2014|01|df=US|post=,}} Walmart operated 61 Super-Bompreço stores, 39{{nbsp}}Hiper-Bompreço stores. It also ran 57{{nbsp}}Walmart Supercenters, 27{{nbsp}}Sam's Clubs, and 174 Todo Dia stores. With the acquisition of Bompreço and Sonae, by 2010, Walmart was the third-largest supermarket chain in Brazil, behind [[Carrefour]] and [[GPA (company)|Pão de Açúcar]].<ref name="WalmartBrazil">{{cite web |title = Walmart Corporate: Brazil |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/locations/brazil |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140211004203/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/locations/brazil |archivedate = February 11, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Walmart Brasil, the operating company, has its head office in [[Barueri]], São Paulo State, and regional offices in [[Curitiba]], Paraná; [[Porto Alegre]], Rio Grande do Sul; [[Recife]], Pernambuco; and [[Salvador, Bahia|Salvador]], Bahia.<ref>"[http://www.walmartbrasil.com.br/sobre-o-walmart/no-brasil/ No Brasil] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510133406/http://www.walmartbrasil.com.br/sobre-o-walmart/no-brasil/ |date=May 10, 2015 }}." [[Walmart Brasil]]. Retrieved November 7, 2011.</ref> {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} Walmart Brasil operates 465{{nbsp}}stores under the banners Todo Dia (123 locations), Naconial (Sonae) (51 locations), Supermarket (Bompreço) (57 locations), Walmart Supercenter (68 locations), Maxxi Atacado (Sonae) (43 locations), BIG (Sonae) (34 locations), Hypermarket (Bompreço) (31 locations), Sam's Club (27 locations), Mercadorama (Sonae) (8 locations), Walmart Posto (Gas Station) (15 locations), Supermercado Todo Dia (3 locations), and Hiper Todo Dia (5 locations).<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
==== Central America ====
Walmart also owns 51{{nbsp}}percent of the Central American Retail Holding Company (CARHCO), which, {{as of|2018|1|31|df=US|lc=y|post=,}} consists of 238 stores in Guatemala (under the Paiz [26 locations], Walmart Supercenter [10 locations], Despensa Familiar [164 locations], and Maxi Dispensa [38 locations] banners),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 95 stores in El Salvador (under the Despensa Familiar [63 locations], La Despensa de Don Juan [17 locations], Walmart Supercenter [4 locations], and Maxi Despensa [11 locations] banners),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 103 stores in Honduras (including the Paiz [8 locations], Walmart Supercenter [3 locations], Dispensa Familiar [66 locations], and Maxi Despensa [26 locations] banners),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 95 stores in Nicaragua (including the Pali [67 locations], La Unión [8 locations], Maxi Pali [19 locations], and Walmart Supercenter [1{{nbsp}}location] banners),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> and 247 stores in Costa Rica (including the Maxi Pali [39 locations], Mas X Menos [35 locations], Walmart Supercenter [11{{nbsp}}locations], and Pali [162 locations] banners<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />).<ref name="sec2006">"[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000119312506066792/d10k.htm Walmart SEC Form 10-K] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710094440/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000119312506066792/d10k.htm |date=July 10, 2017 }}." ''[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]''. January 31, 2006. Retrieved July 26, 2006.</ref>
==== Chile ====
In January 2009, the company acquired a controlling interest in the largest grocer in [[Chile]], Distribución y Servicio D&S SA.<ref name="Stanford 13">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart names Chile head Ostale chief of Latin America |last1 = Stanford |first1 = Duane D. |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-01-11/wal-mart-names-chile-head-ostale-chief-of-latin-america |magazine = Bloomberg |date = January 11, 2013 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306075617/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-01-11/wal-mart-names-chile-head-ostale-chief-of-latin-america |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="Bustillo 08">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart offers to acquire Chile's largest grocery chain |last1 = Bustillo |first1 = Miguel |url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122979761002424187 |newspaper = The Wall Street Journal |date = December 22, 2008 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307015629/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122979761002424187 |archivedate = March 7, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2010, the company was renamed [[Walmart Chile]].<ref name="Diario Financiero 10">{{cite news |title = D&S cambia su razón social por Wal Mart Chile |url = https://www.df.cl/noticias/empresas/d-s-cambia-su-razon-social-por-wal-mart-chile/2010-10-28/110300.html |newspaper = Diario Financiero |date = October 28, 2010 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306140633/https://www.df.cl/noticias/empresas/d-s-cambia-su-razon-social-por-wal-mart-chile/2010-10-28/110300.html |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} Walmart Chile operates 378 stores under the banners Lider Hiper (88 locations), Lider Express (85 locations), Superbodega Acuenta (112 locations), Ekono (88 locations), and Central Mayorista (5 locations).<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
==== Mexico ====
{{Main|Walmart de México y Centroamérica}}
{{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} Walmart's Mexico division, the largest outside the U.S., consisted of 2,358 stores.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> Walmart in Mexico operates Walmart Supercenter (270 locations), Sam's Club (162 locations), Bodega Aurrera (503 locations), Mi Bodega Aurrera (343 locations), Bodega Aurrera Express (975 locations), Superama (95 locations), and Medimart Farmacia de Walmart (10 locations).<ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
==== Canada ====
{{Main|Walmart Canada}}
[[File:RichmondHillWalmart.jpg|thumb|Walmart Supercentre in [[Richmond Hill, Ontario|Richmond Hill]], [[Canada]]|alt=Walmart Supercentre in Richmond Hill, Canada]]
Walmart has operated in Canada since it acquired 122{{nbsp}}stores comprising the [[Woolco]] division of [[F. W. Woolworth Company|Woolworth Canada, Inc]] in 1994. {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} it operates 410{{nbsp}}locations (including 334{{nbsp}}supercentres and 76 discount stores)<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> and, {{as of|2015|June|df=US|lc=y|post=,}} it employs 89,358 people, with a local home office in [[Mississauga]], Ontario.<ref name="WalmartCanada">{{cite web |title = Walmart Canada: Corporate Information |url = http://walmartcanada.ca/Pages/About%20Us/168/168/168?lang=en |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121004202059/http://walmartcanada.ca/Pages/About%20Us/168/168/168?lang=en |archive-date = October 4, 2012 }}</ref> [[Walmart Canada]]'s first three Supercentres (spelled in [[Canadian English]]) opened in November 2006 in [[Ancaster, Ontario|Ancaster]], [[London, Ontario|London]], and [[Stouffville, Ontario|Stouffville]], Ontario.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114024143/http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2006/11/07/wawlmart-superstores.html|title=Wal-Mart unveils plans to open up to 14 supercentres in 2007 - CBC News|date=2012-11-14|access-date=2018-04-01}}</ref> The 100th{{nbsp}}Canadian Supercentre opened in July 2010, in [[Victoria, British Columbia]].
In 2010, Walmart Canada Bank was introduced with the launch of the Walmart Rewards MasterCard.<ref name="walmart_canada_bank">{{cite news |title = Walmart Canada Bank launches Walmart Rewards MasterCard |url = http://smr.newswire.ca/en/walmart-canada-bank/walmart-canada-bank-launches-walmart-rewards-mastercard |accessdate = June 29, 2011 |newspaper = newswire.ca |date = June 15, 2010 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100621125620/http://smr.newswire.ca/en/walmart-canada-bank/walmart-canada-bank-launches-walmart-rewards-mastercard |archivedate = June 21, 2010 }}</ref>
==== United Kingdom ====
{{Main|Asda}}
[[File:A big green sign - geograph.org.uk - 781233.jpg|thumb|Walmart's UK subsidiary, [[Asda]]|alt=]]
Walmart's UK subsidiary Asda (which retained its name after being acquired by Walmart) is based in [[Leeds]] and accounted for 42.7{{nbsp}}percent of 2006 sales of Walmart's international division. In contrast to the U.S. operations, Asda was originally and still remains primarily a grocery chain, but with a stronger focus on non-food items than most UK supermarket chains other than [[Tesco]]. {{As of|2018|1|31|df=us|post=,}} Asda had 642 stores,<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> including 147 from the 2010 acquisition of [[Netto UK]]. In addition to small suburban Asda Supermarkets, which has 211 locations,<ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> larger stores are branded Supercentres, which has 32 locations.<ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /><!-- Supercentres is correct; see talk page. --> Other banners include Asda Superstores (341 locations), Asda Living (33 locations), and Asda Petrol Fueling Station (25 locations).<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /><ref>[http://www.asda.jobs/all-about/who-we-are/stores.html ASDA Careers: All about ASDA Stores]. Retrieved August 7, 2011 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110803164941/http://www.asda.jobs/all-about/who-we-are/stores.html |date=August 3, 2011 }}</ref> In July 2015, Asda updated its logo featuring the Walmart Asterisks behind the first 'A' in the Logo. In May 2018, Walmart sold Asda to rival J Sainsbury for $10.1 billion. Under the terms of the deal, Walmart gets a 42% stake in the combined company and about £3 billion in cash.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/walmart-to-merge-british-unit-asda-with-u-k-rival-sainsbury-1525070178|title=Walmart to Sell British Unit Asda to U.K. Rival Sainsbury|last=Chaudhuri|first=Saabira|date=2018-04-30|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=2018-05-02|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>
==== Africa ====
On September 28, 2010, Walmart announced it would buy [[Massmart Holdings Ltd]]. of [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]] in a deal worth over {{US$|4{{nbsp}}billion}} giving the company its first footprint in Africa.<ref name="Wake">{{cite news |url = http://www.journalnow.com/business/head-of-wal-mart-tells-wfu-audience-of-plans-for/article_5ad539d5-d616-55ba-ab27-aeaf45b06074.html |title = Head of Walmart tells WFU audience of plans for growth over next 20 years |last = Daniel |first = Fran |work = [[Winston-Salem Journal]] |date = September 29, 2010 |accessdate = March 7, 2016 }}</ref> {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} it has 382{{nbsp}}stores in South Africa (under the banners Game Foodco [70 locations], CBW [48 locations], Game [49 locations], Builders Express [43 locations], Builders Warehouse [33 locations], Cambridge [42 locations], Dion Wired [24 locations], Rhino [19 locations], Makro [21 locations], Builders Trade Depot [15 locations], Jumbo [7{{nbsp}}locations], and Builders Superstore [11{{nbsp}}locations]),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 11 stores in Botswana (under the banners CBW [7{{nbsp}}locations], Game Foodco [2{{nbsp}}locations], and Builders Warehouse [2{{nbsp}}locations]),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 2{{nbsp}}stores in Ghana under the banners Game (1 location) and Game Foodco (1 location),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 1{{nbsp}}store in Kenya (under the Game Foodco banner),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 3{{nbsp}}stores in Lesotho (under the banners CBW [2{{nbsp}}locations] and Game [1{{nbsp}}location]),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /> 2{{nbsp}}stores in Malawi (under the Game banner),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 5{{nbsp}}stores in Mozambique (under the banners Builders Warehouse [2{{nbsp}}locations], Game Foodco [2{{nbsp}}locations], and CBW [1{{nbsp}}location]),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 4{{nbsp}}stores in Namibia (under the banners Game Foodco [2{{nbsp}}locations], Game [1{{nbsp}}location], and CBW [1{{nbsp}}location]),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 5{{nbsp}}stores in Nigeria (under the banners Game [4{{nbsp}}locations] and Game Foodco [1{{nbsp}}location],<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 1 store in Swaziland (under the CBW banner),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 1{{nbsp}}store in Tanzania (under the Game banner),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> 1{{nbsp}}store in Uganda (under the Game banner),<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> and 6{{nbsp}}stores in Zambia (under the banners CBW [1 location], Game [3{{nbsp}}locations] and Builders Warehouse [2{{nbsp}}location]).<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
==== China ====
[[File:20170212 Bilingual signs in Walmart Hangzhou Toys.jpg|thumb|left|A Walmart in [[Hangzhou]], China|alt=Aisle with products in a Walmart in Hangzhou, China]]
Walmart has joint ventures in China and several majority-owned subsidiaries. {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} Walmart China (沃尔玛 ''Wò'ērmǎ'')<ref>{{cite web |title = Walmart China – Official website |url = http://www.wal-martchina.com/walmart/wminchina_map.htm |website = www.wal-martchina.com |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = March 11, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160314042735/http://wal-martchina.com/walmart/wminchina_map.htm |archivedate = March 14, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> operates 443 stores under the Walmart Supercenter (406 locations), Sam's Club (19 locations) and Hypermarket (18 locations) banners.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
In February 2012, Walmart announced that the company raised its stake to 51 percent in Chinese online supermarket [[Yihaodian]] to tap rising consumer wealth and help the company offer more products. Walmart took full ownership in July 2015.<ref name="Jourdan 15">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart buys out China e-commerce firm Yihaodian in online push |last1 = Jourdan |first1 = Adam |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-wal-mart-stores-china-yihaodian-idUSKCN0PX0D220150723 |agency = Reuters |date = July 23, 2015 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082807/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-wal-mart-stores-china-yihaodian-idUSKCN0PX0D220150723 |archivedate = March 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
==== Japan ====
In Japan, Walmart owns 100 percent of [[Seiyu Group|Seiyu]] (西友 ''Seiyū'') {{as of|2008|df=US|lc=y|post=.}}<ref name="Boyle 09">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart's painful lessons |last1 = Boyle |first1 = Matthew |url = http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/oct2009/ca20091013_227022.htm |magazine = Bloomberg |date = October 13, 2009 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307205619/http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/oct2009/ca20091013_227022.htm |archivedate = March 7, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/locations/#/japan |title = Walmart Corporate – Japan |publisher = Walmart |accessdate = January 19, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140104115055/http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/our-business/locations/#/japan |archivedate = January 4, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> As of January 31, 2018, there are 336 stores under the Seiyu (Hypermarket) (91 locations), Seiyu (Supermarket) (236 locations), Seiyu (General Merchandise) (1{{nbsp}}location), and Livin (8{{nbsp}}locations) banners.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" />
==== India ====
In November 2006, the company announced a joint venture with [[Bharti Enterprises]] to operate in [[India]]. As foreign corporations were not allowed to enter the retail sector directly, Walmart operated through franchises and handled the wholesale end of the business.<ref name="walmartindia">Giridharadas A., Rai S. [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/27/business/worldbusiness/27cnd-walmart.html "Walmart to Open Hundreds of Stores in India"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701110549/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/27/business/worldbusiness/27cnd-walmart.html |date=July 1, 2017 }}. ''The New York Times''. November 27, 2006. Retrieved November 27, 2006.</ref> The partnership involved two joint ventures—Bharti manages the front end, involving opening of retail outlets while Walmart takes care of the back end, such as [[cold chain]]s and logistics. Walmart operates stores in India under the name Best Price Modern Wholesale.<ref name="Mathew 13">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart to run India wholesale business single-handedly |last1 = Mathew |first1 = Jerin |url = http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/wal-mart-bharti-india-retail-fdi-reforms-512464 |newspaper = [[International Business Times]] |date = October 9, 2013 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306222500/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/wal-mart-bharti-india-retail-fdi-reforms-512464 |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The first store opened in [[Amritsar]] on May 30, 2009. On September 14, 2012, the Government of India approved 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retails, subject to approval by individual states, effective September 20, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title = Govt allows FDI in multi-brand retail, aviation |url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Govt-allows-FDI-in-multi-brand-retail-aviation/articleshow/16397960.cms |date = September 14, 2012 |agency = Reuters |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120915090846/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Govt-allows-FDI-in-multi-brand-retail-aviation/articleshow/16397960.cms |archivedate = September 15, 2012 |work = The Times Of India |deadurl = yes |df = }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (FC-I Section), Press Note No.5 (2012 Series) – multi brand retail |publisher = Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India |date = September 20, 2012 |url = http://dipp.nic.in/English/acts_rules/Press_Notes/pn5_2012.pdf |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160222062405/http://dipp.nic.in/english/acts_rules/Press_Notes/pn5_2012.pdf |archivedate = February 22, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Scott Price, Walmart's president and CEO for Asia, told ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' that the company would be able to start opening Walmart stores in India within two years.<ref>{{cite news |author = |url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Walmart-hopes-to-open-first-India-store-in-18-months-Report/articleshow/16488898.cms |title = Walmart hopes to open first India store in 18 months: Report |work = The Times of India |date = September 21, 2012 |accessdate = September 27, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150226212215/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Walmart-hopes-to-open-first-India-store-in-18-months-Report/articleshow/16488898.cms |archivedate = February 26, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Expansion into India faced some significant problems. In November 2012, Walmart admitted to spending {{US$|25{{nbsp}}million}} lobbying the [[Indian National Congress]];<ref name="indiatimes">{{cite news |title = Probe Walmart 'bribe', says opposition |url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-11/india/35748837_1_bharti-walmart-indian-market-fdi |newspaper = The Times of India |date = December 11, 2012 }}</ref> lobbying is conventionally considered bribery in India.<ref name="BBCnewsUS">{{cite news |last = |first = |title = US defends Walmart India lobbying |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-20674717 |accessdate = December 28, 2012 |publisher = BBC News India |date = December 11, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121214073534/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-20674717 |archivedate = December 14, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart is conducting an internal investigation into potential violations of the [[Foreign Corrupt Practices Act]].<ref name="NYTinquiry">{{cite news |last1 = Cilfford |first1 = Stephanie |last2 = Barstow |first2 = David |title = Walmart Inquiry Reflects Alarm on Corruption |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/business/Walmart-expands-foreign-bribery-investigation.html?pagewanted=all |accessdate = December 28, 2012 |work = The New York Times |date = November 15, 2012 }}</ref> Bharti Walmart suspended a number of employees, rumored to include its CFO and legal team, to ensure "a complete and thorough investigation".<ref name="NYTIndianBribery">{{cite news |last = Bajaj |first = Vikas |title = India Unit of Walmart Suspends Employees |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/24/business/global/Walmarts-india-venture-suspends-executives-as-part-of-bribery-inquiry.html |accessdate = December 28, 2012 |newspaper = The New York Times |date = November 23, 2012 }}</ref> {{As of|2018|1|31|df=US|post=,}} there are 20 Best Price locations.<ref name="Unit Counts & Square Footage" /><ref name="Unit Counts by Country" /> In October 2013, Bharti and Walmart separated to pursue business independently.<ref name="Times of India">{{cite news |title = Bharti, Wal-Mart end joint venture |url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Bharti-Wal-Mart-end-joint-venture/articleshow/23848813.cms |date = October 10, 2013 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161210181157/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Bharti-Wal-Mart-end-joint-venture/articleshow/23848813.cms |archivedate = December 10, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
On May 9, 2018, Walmart announced its intent to acquire a 77% majority stake in the Indian e-commerce company [[Flipkart]] for $16 billion, in a deal that was completed on August 18, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/walmart-bets-15-billion-on-an-e-commerce-passage-to-india-1525690804|title=Walmart Bets $15 Billion on an E-Commerce Passage to India|last=Purnell|first=Newley|date=7 May 2018|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=7 May 2018|last2=Bellman|first2=Eric|issn=0099-9660|last3=Abrams|first3=Corinne}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/walmart-expects-to-close-flipkart-deal-by-the-end-of-2018-2583161.html|title=Walmart expects to close Flipkart deal by the end of 2018|website=Moneycontrol|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Walmart completes deal to acquire 77% stake in Flipkart, to invest $2 billion - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/walmart-completes-deal-to-acquire-77-stake-in-flipkart-to-invest-2-billion/articleshow/65454382.cms |website=The Times of India |accessdate=30 August 2018}}</ref>
==== Setbacks ====
In the mid-1990s, Walmart tried with a large financial investment to get a foothold in the German retail market. In 1997, Walmart took over the supermarket chain Wertkauf with its 21 stores for [[Deutsche Mark|DM]] 750 million<ref>[http://www.ka-news.de/wirtschaft/karlsruhe/Karlsruhe;art127,52059 "Metro übernimmt Walmart"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618032055/http://www.ka-news.de/wirtschaft/karlsruhe/Karlsruhe;art127,52059 |date=June 18, 2009 }}. (in German). ka-news. August 3, 2006</ref> and the following year Walmart acquired 74 Interspar stores for DM 1.3 billion.<ref>[http://www.zeit.de/1999/40/Schnitte "Schnitte"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301024822/http://www.zeit.de/1999/40/Schnitte |date=March 1, 2016 }}. (in German). ''[[Die Zeit]]''.</ref><ref>[http://www.stern.de/wirtschaft/news/Walmart-in-deutschland-ein-zwerg-536713.html "In Deutschland ein Zwerg"]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. (in German). ''[[Stern (magazine)|Stern]]''. February 18, 2005.</ref> The German market at this point was an oligopoly with high competition among companies which used a similar low price strategy as Walmart. As a result, Walmart's low price strategy yielded no competitive advantage. Walmart's [[Organizational culture|corporate culture]] was not viewed positively among employees and customers, particularly Walmart's "statement of ethics", which restricted relationships between employees and led to a public discussion in the media, resulting in a bad reputation among customers.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.stern.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/549609.html |title = Auch Walmart-Mitarbeiter dürfen lieben |work = Stern |date = November 15, 2005 |language = German |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080530013145/http://www.stern.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/549609.html |archivedate = May 30, 2008 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article177942/Walmart-Mitarbeiter_duerfen_flirten.html |title = Walmart-Mitarbeiter dürfen flirten |language = German |publisher = ''[[Die Welt]]'' |date = November 15, 2005 }}</ref> In July 2006, Walmart announced its withdrawal from Germany due to sustained losses. The stores were sold to the German company [[Metro AG|Metro]] during Walmart's fiscal third quarter.<ref name="Boyle 09" /><ref name="walmartgermany">{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5223432.stm |title = Walmart Abandons German Venture |publisher = BBC News |date = July 28, 2006 |accessdate = July 31, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090115081000/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5223432.stm |archivedate = January 15, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart did not disclose its losses from its German investment, but they were estimated to be around {{Euro}}3 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,429017,00.html |title = Spiegel: "Warum der US-Titan scheiterte |language = German |publisher = ''[[Der Spiegel]]'' |date = July 28, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120118130337/http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,429017,00.html |archivedate = January 18, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
==== Corruption charges ====
An April 2012 investigation by ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported the allegations of a former executive of Walmart de Mexico that, in September 2005, the company had paid [[bribery|bribes]] via local fixers to officials throughout Mexico in exchange for construction permits, information, and other favors, which gave Walmart a substantial advantage over competitors.<ref name="NYTBribe">{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/business/at-Walmart-in-mexico-a-bribe-inquiry-silenced.html |title = Vast Mexican Bribery Case Hushed Up by Walmart After High-Level Struggle |publisher = ''The New York Times'' |author = David Barstow |date = April 21, 2012 |accessdate = April 22, 2012 }}</ref> Walmart investigators found credible evidence that Mexican and American laws had been broken. Concerns were also raised that Walmart executives in the United States had "hushed up" the allegations. A follow-up investigation by ''The New York Times'', published December 17, 2012, revealed evidence that regulatory permission for siting, construction, and operation of nineteen stores had been obtained through bribery. There was evidence that a bribe of {{US$|52,000}} was paid to change a zoning map, which enabled the opening of a Walmart store a mile from a historical site in [[San Juan Teotihuacán]] in 2004.<ref name="NYT92904">{{cite news |title = No, the Conquistadors Are Not Back. It's Just Walmart. |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/28/international/americas/28mexico.html |accessdate = December 18, 2012 |newspaper = The New York Times |date = September 28, 2004 |author = James C. McKinley, Jr. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121218213105/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/28/international/americas/28mexico.html |archivedate = December 18, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> After the initial article was released, Walmart released a statement denying the allegations and describing its anti-corruption policy. While an official Walmart report states that it had found no evidence of corruption, the article alleges that previous internal reports had indeed turned up such evidence before the story became public.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/lydiadishman/2012/04/22/walmart-in-mexico/ |title = What Walmart Might Do With Allegations of Bribery in Mexico |author = Lydia Dishman |date = April 22, 2012 |accessdate = April 23, 2012 |work = [[Forbes]] |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120423132905/http://www.forbes.com/sites/lydiadishman/2012/04/22/walmart-in-mexico/ |archivedate = April 23, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine contributor Adam Hartung also commented that the bribery scandal was a reflection of Walmart's "serious management and strategy troubles", stating, "[s]candals are now commonplace{{nbsp}}... [e]ach scandal points out that Walmart's strategy is harder to navigate and is running into big problems".<ref>{{cite news |last = Hartung |first = Adam |title = WalMart's Mexican Bribery Scandal Will Sink It Like an Iceberg Sank the Titanic |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2012/04/26/walmarts-mexican-bribery-scandal-will-sink-it-like-the-icerberg-sank-the-titanic/ |work = Forbes |accessdate = July 2, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120703221317/http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2012/04/26/walmarts-mexican-bribery-scandal-will-sink-it-like-the-icerberg-sank-the-titanic/ |archivedate = July 3, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In 2012, there was an incident with CJ's Seafood, a crawfish processing firm in Louisiana that was partnered with Walmart, that eventually gained media attention for the mistreatment of its 40 H-2B visa workers from Mexico. These workers experienced harsh living conditions in tightly packed trailers outside of the work facility, physical threats, verbal abuse and were forced to work day-long shifts. Many of the workers were afraid to take action about the abuse due to the fact that the manager threatened the lives of their family members in the U.S. and Mexico if the abuse were to be reported. Eight of the workers confronted management at CJ's Seafood about the mistreatment; however, the management denied the abuse allegations and the workers went on strike. The workers then took their stories to Walmart due to their partnership with CJ's. While Walmart was investigating the situation, the workers collected 150,000 signatures of supporters who agreed that Walmart should stand by the workers and take action. In June 2012, the visa workers held a protest and day-long hunger strike outside of the apartment building where a Walmart board member resided. Following this protest, Walmart announced its final decision to no longer work with CJ's Seafood. Less than a month later, the Department of Labor fined CJ's Seafood "approximately $460,000 in back-pay, safety violations, wage and hour violations, civil damages and fines for abuses to the H-2B program. The company has since shut down."<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/mexican-guest-workers-gain-walmart-federal-response-louisiana-usa-2012 |title = Mexican guest workers gain Walmart, federal response, Louisiana, USA, 2012 |last = Capron |first = Chistopher |date = November 11, 2012 |website = Global Nonviolent Action Database |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170929000345/https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/mexican-guest-workers-gain-walmart-federal-response-louisiana-usa-2012 |archive-date = September 29, 2017 |dead-url = no |access-date = September 28, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
{{As of|2012|December|df=US|post=,}} internal investigations were ongoing into possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.<ref name="NYT121712">{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/business/walmart-bribes-teotihuacan.html |title = The Bribery Aisle: How Wal-Mart Got Its Way in Mexico |work = The New York Times |date = December 17, 2012 |accessdate = April 29, 2013 |author1 = Barstow, David |author2 = von Bertrab, Alejandra Xanic |authorlink1 = David Barstow |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130322234030/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/business/walmart-bribes-teotihuacan.html |archivedate = March 22, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart has invested {{US$|99{{nbsp}}million}} on internal investigations, which expanded beyond Mexico to implicate operations in China, Brazil, and India.<ref name="Clifford 12">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart inquiry relects alarm on corruption |last1 = Clifford |first1 = Stephanie |last2 = Barnstow |first2 = David |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/business/wal-mart-expands-foreign-bribery-investigation.html |newspaper = The New York Times |date = November 15, 2012 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150925051846/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/business/wal-mart-expands-foreign-bribery-investigation.html |archivedate = September 25, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="Brown 12">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart bribery probe expands past Mexico to Brazil, China and India |last1 = Brown |first1 = Abram |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2012/11/15/probe-into-wal-mart-bribery-past-mexico-to-brazil-china-and-india/#6973d1417561 |magazine = Forbes |date = November 15, 2012 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304132316/http://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2012/11/15/probe-into-wal-mart-bribery-past-mexico-to-brazil-china-and-india/#6973d1417561 |archivedate = March 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The case has added fuel to the debate as to whether foreign investment will result in increased prosperity, or if it merely allows local retail trade and economic policy to be taken over by "foreign financial and corporate interests".<ref name="Sharma 12">{{cite news |title = India government agency probes Wal-Mart investments |last1 = Sharma |first1 = Malavika |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-12-05/india-government-agency-probes-wal-mart-investments |magazine = Bloomberg |date = December 5, 2012 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160314064550/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-12-05/india-government-agency-probes-wal-mart-investments |archivedate = March 14, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="NYTIndia">{{cite news |last1 = Thirani |first1 = Neha |last2 = Kumar |first2 = Hari |title = Fact-Checking the F.D.I. Debates |url = http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/07/fact-checking-the-f-d-i-debates/ |accessdate = December 28, 2012 |newspaper = The New York Times / International Herald Tribune |date = December 7, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121212010207/http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/07/fact-checking-the-f-d-i-debates/ |archivedate = December 12, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== Sam's Club ===
{{Main|Sam's Club}}
[[File:Sam's Club store.jpg|thumb|The Sam's Club store in [[Maplewood, Missouri]]|alt=Store front of a sam's club store in Maplewood, Missouri]]
'''Sam's Club''' is a chain of [[warehouse club]]s that sell groceries and [[general merchandise]], often in bulk. The first Sam's Club was opened by Walmart, Inc. in 1983 in [[Midwest City, Oklahoma]]<ref name="aboutsamsclub">{{cite web|url=http://pressroom.samsclub.com/content/?id=3&atg=524|title=About Sam's Club|publisher=Sam's Club|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328175957/http://pressroom.samsclub.com/content/?id=3&atg=524|archive-date=March 28, 2007|dead-url=yes|accessdate=November 1, 2007}}</ref> under the name "Sam's Wholesale Club". The chain was named after its founder Sam Walton. As of January 2018, Sam's Club operated 597 membership warehouse clubs and accounted for about 13% of Walmart's revenue.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-11/sam-s-club-closes-series-of-locations-on-same-day-as-wage-hike|title=Wal-Mart Closes Multiple Sam's Club Locations on the Same Day It Hiked Wages|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=2018-07-17|language=en}}</ref> John Furner has been the CEO of Sam's Club since early 2017.<ref name="walmart.com" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/wal-mart-names-john-furner-as-sams-club-next-ceo/|title=Wal-Mart names John Furner as Sam's Club next CEO|date=2017-01-06|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=2018-07-17|language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Global eCommerce ===
Based in San Bruno, California, Walmart's Global eCommerce division provides online retailing for Walmart, Sam's Club, Asda, and all other international brands. There are several locations in the United States in California and Oregon: [[San Bruno, California|San Bruno]], [[Sunnyvale, California|Sunnyvale]], [[Brisbane, California|Brisbane]], and [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]. Locations outside of the United States include [[Shanghai]] ([[China]]), [[Leeds]] ([[United Kingdom]]), and [[Bangalore]] (India). Marc Lore is the president and CEO.<ref name="walmart.com"/>
== Subsidiaries ==
=== Vudu ===
[[File:Vudu 2014 logo.svg|thumb|Vudu logo|alt=Blue vudu logo]]
In February 2010, Walmart agreed to buy [[Vudu]], a Silicon Valley start-up whose online movie service is being built into an increasing number of televisions and Blu-ray players. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but a person briefed on the deal said the price for the company, which raised {{US$|60{{nbsp}}million}} in capital, was over {{US$|100{{nbsp}}million}}.<ref name="Stone">{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/technology/23video.html |title = Walmart Buying Vudu Movie Service |date = February 22, 2010 |accessdate = February 23, 2010 |work = The New York Times |first = Brad |last = Stone |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100224130304/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/technology/23video.html |archivedate = February 24, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Vudu is the third-most-popular online movie service, with a market share of 5.3 percent.<ref>{{cite news |last = Bustillo |first = Miguel |title = For Walmart, a Rare Online Success |newspaper = The Wall Street Journal |date = August 29, 2011 |author2 = Talley, Karen |page = B1 }}</ref>
=== Private label brands ===
{{Main|List of Walmart brands}}
About 40 percent of products sold in Walmart are [[private label]] [[store brand]]s, which are produced for the company through contracts with manufacturers. Walmart began offering private label brands in 1991, with the launch of [[Sam's Choice]], a line of drinks produced by [[Cott]] Beverages for Walmart. Sam's Choice quickly became popular and by 1993, was the third-most-popular beverage brand in the United States.<ref name="samschoice">{{cite news |url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n19_v32/ai_14495621 |title = Sam's Choice Climbs Beverage Brand List – Walmart's Sam's American Choice Beverage Brand |work = Discount Store News |date = October 4, 1993 |accessdate = April 20, 2007 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070624152410/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n19_v32/ai_14495621 |archivedate = June 24, 2007 |df = }}</ref> Other Walmart brands include Great Value and Equate in the U.S. and Canada and Smart Price in Britain. A 2006 study talked of "the magnitude of mind-share Walmart appears to hold in the shoppers' minds when it comes to the awareness of private label brands and retailers."<ref>{{cite web |author = Reyes, Sonia |url = http://www.pbmproducts.com/press.aspx?ID=183 |title = Study: Walmart Private Brands Are Catching On |date = August 21, 2006 |accessdate = December 16, 2012 |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6Cwkubv4f?url=http://www.pbmproducts.com/press.aspx?ID=183 |archivedate = December 16, 2012 |deadurl = yes |df = }}</ref>
=== Entertainment ===
In 2010, the company teamed with [[Procter & Gamble]] to produce ''[[Secrets of the Mountain]]'' and ''[[The Jensen Project]]'', two-hour family movies which featured the characters using Walmart and Procter & Gamble-branded products. ''The Jensen Project'' also featured a preview of a product to be released in several months in Walmart stores.<ref>{{cite web |title = Walmart Pushing Limited $199 Kinect Pre-Order Bundle |url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/201049/walmart_pushing_limited_199_kinect_preorder_bundle.html |work = PCWorld |accessdate = July 18, 2010 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100718104454/http://www.pcworld.com/article/201049/walmart_pushing_limited_199_kinect_preorder_bundle.html |archivedate = July 18, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="la times review">{{cite news |title = Television review: 'The Jensen Project' |url = http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/16/entertainment/la-et-jensen-project-20100716 |accessdate = July 16, 2010 |newspaper = Los Angeles Times |date = July 16, 2010 |first1 = Mary |last1 = McNamara |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100719233456/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/16/entertainment/la-et-jensen-project-20100716 |archivedate = July 19, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> A third movie, ''[[A Walk in My Shoes]]'', also aired in 2010 and a fourth is in production.{{When|date=November 2012}}<ref>{{cite web |title = Second P&G Family Friendly Movie Airs July 16 On NBC |last = Kiesewette |first = John |url = http://cincinnati.com/blogs/tv/2010/07/09/second-pg-family-friendly-movie-airs-july-16-on-nbc/ |work = [[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |accessdate = July 9, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100713045542/http://cincinnati.com/blogs/tv/2010/07/09/second-pg-family-friendly-movie-airs-july-16-on-nbc/ |archive-date = July 13, 2010 }}</ref> Walmart's director of brand marketing also serves as co-chair of the [[Association of National Advertisers]]'s Alliance for Family Entertainment.<ref>{{cite news |last = Stanley |first = T.L. |title = Advertisers earmark $10 million for family-friendly TV |url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/06/advertisers-earmark-10-million-for-familyfriendly-tv.html |newspaper = Los Angeles Times |date = June 22, 2010 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202175736/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/06/advertisers-earmark-10-million-for-familyfriendly-tv.html |archivedate = February 2, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== Online commerce acquisitions and plans ===
In September 2016, Walmart purchased [[e-commerce]] company [[Jet.com]], founded in 2014 by [[Marc Lore]], to start competing with Amazon.com. Jet.com has acquired its own share of online retailers such as [[Hayneedle]] in March 2016, Shoebuy.com in December 2016, and [[ModCloth]] in March 2017. In New York where, as of 2018, Jet operates, Parcel, a delivery service,<ref name="NYT12514">{{cite news |author1=Jonah Engel Bromwich |title=By Text, a Package Deal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/nyregion/an-app-that-collects-and-delivers-packages.html |accessdate=September 17, 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=December 5, 2014}}</ref> was acquired September 29, 2017.<ref name="NYT9162018">{{cite news |author1=Michael Corkery |title=Walmart Finally Makes It to the Big Apple |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/16/business/walmart-jet-nyc.html |accessdate=September 17, 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=September 16, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Walmart91718">{{cite web |title=Walmart Announces the Acquisition of Parcel, a Technology-Based, Same-Day and Last-Mile Delivery Company |url=https://corporate.walmart.com/article/walmart-announces-the-acquisition-of-parcel-a-technology-based-same-day-and-last-mile-delivery-company |website=corporate.walmart.com |publisher=Walmart |accessdate=September 17, 2018}}</ref>
On February 15, 2017, Walmart acquired [[Moosejaw]], an online active outdoor retailer, for approximately $51 million. Moosejaw brought with it partnerships with more than 400 brands, including [[Patagonia (clothing)|Patagonia]], [[The North Face]], [[Marmot (company)|Marmot]], and [[Arc'teryx]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/lauraheller/2017/02/15/take-that-amazon-walmart-buys-moosejaw-for-51-million/ |title = Take That Amazon: Walmart Buys Moosejaw For $51 Million |last = Heller |first = Laura |accessdate = February 22, 2017 |date = February 15, 2017 |publisher = Forbes |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170223051021/http://www.forbes.com/sites/lauraheller/2017/02/15/take-that-amazon-walmart-buys-moosejaw-for-51-million/ |archivedate = February 23, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
[[Marc Lore]], Walmart's U.S. e-commerce CEO, said that Walmart's existing physical infrastructure of almost 5,000 stores around the U.S. will enhance their digital expansion by doubling as warehouses for e-commerce without increasing overhead.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nusca|first1=Andrew|title=5 Moves Walmart Is Making to Compete With Amazon and Target|url=http://fortune.com/2017/09/27/5-moves-walmart-is-making-to-compete-with-amazon-and-target/|accessdate=December 8, 2017|work=Fortune|date=September 27, 2017}}</ref> {{As of|2017|post=,}} Walmart offers in-store pickup for online orders at 1,000 stores with plans to eventually expand the service to all of its stores.<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/wal-mart-takes-aim-at-amazon-1508811540 Wal-Mart Takes Aim at Amazon] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024235435/https://www.wsj.com/articles/wal-mart-takes-aim-at-amazon-1508811540 |date=October 24, 2017 }}, WSJ, published October 23, 2017</ref>
On May 9, 2018, Walmart announced its intent to acquire a 77% controlling stake in the Indian e-commerce website [[Flipkart]] for $16 billion<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/09/walmart-agrees-deal-to-buy-a-majority-stake-in-indias-flipkart.html|title=Walmart agrees to a $16 billion deal to buy a majority stake in India's Flipkart|last=Browne|first=Ryan|date=2018-05-09|work=CNBC|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> (beating bids by Amazon.com), subject to regulatory approval. Following its completion, the website's management will report to Marc Lore.<ref name="Walmart-Inc-May-2018-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/859/10416918000038/filing-main.htm |title=Walmart Inc, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date May 9, 2018 |publisher=secdatabase.com |accessdate =May 10, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44050180|title=Walmart wins battle for India's Flipkart|date=2018-05-09|work=BBC News|access-date=2018-05-09|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/walmart-acquires-flipkart-for-16-bn-worlds-largest-ecommerce-deal/articleshow/64095145.cms|title=Walmart acquires Flipkart for $16 bn, world's largest ecommerce deal|date=2018-05-09|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-05-09}}</ref> Completion of the deal was announced on August 18, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/walmart-completes-deal-to-acquire-77-stake-in-flipkart-to-invest-2-billion/articleshow/65454382.cms|title=Walmart completes deal to acquire 77% stake in Flipkart, to invest $2 billion - Times of India|publisher=|accessdate=18 August 2018}}</ref>
== Corporate affairs ==
[[File:Walmart Home Office sign.jpg|thumb|Home office in [[Bentonville, Arkansas|Bentonville]], [[Arkansas]]|alt=Home office with American flag in Bentonville, Arkansas]]
Walmart is headquartered in the Walmart Home Office complex in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company's [[business model]] is based on selling a wide variety of general merchandise at low prices.<ref name="2015 Annual Report Page 19" /> Doug McMillon became Walmart's CEO on February 1, 2014. He has also worked as the head of Sam's Club and Walmart International.<ref name="O'Keefe 15">{{cite news |title = The man who's reinventing Walmart |last1 = O'Keefe |first1 = Brian |last2 = |first2 = |url = http://fortune.com/2015/06/04/walmart-ceo-doug-mcmillon/ |magazine = Fortune magazine |date = June 4, 2015 |accessdate = July 21, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150717074806/http://fortune.com/2015/06/04/walmart-ceo-doug-mcmillon/ |archivedate = July 17, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The company refers to its employees as "associates". All Walmart stores in the U.S. and Canada also have designated "greeters" at the entrance, a practice pioneered by Sam Walton and later imitated by other retailers. Greeters are trained to help shoppers find what they want and answer their questions.<ref name="Kendall_Gerald_I">{{cite book |last = Kendall |first = Gerald I. |title = Securing the future: strategies for exponential growth using the theory of constraints. |year = 1998 |publisher = [[CRC Press]] |location = Boca Raton, Florida |isbn = 1-57444-197-3 |page = 106 |url = https://books.google.com/?id=KgjTUtVixroC&pg=PA106&dq=walmart+greeter#v=onepage&q&f=false |accessdate = March 3, 2016 }}</ref>
For many years, associates were identified in the store by their signature blue vest, but this practice was discontinued in June 2007 and replaced with khaki pants and polo shirts. The wardrobe change was part of a larger corporate overhaul to increase sales and rejuvenate the company's stock price.<ref name="replace_blue_vests">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart Replaces Blue Vests |url = http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3288829 |accessdate = June 28, 2011 |publisher = [[ABC News]] |date = June 18, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120124055431/http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3288829 |archivedate = January 24, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In September 2014, the uniform was again updated to bring back a vest (paid for by the company) for store employees over the same polos and khaki or black pants paid for by the employee. The vest is navy blue for Walmart employees at Supercenters and discount stores, lime green for Walmart Neighborhood Market employees and yellow for self check out associates; door greeters and customer service managers. Both state "Proud Walmart Associate" on the left breast and the "Spark" logo covering the back.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = SANCHEZ |first1 = KARIZZA |title = Walmart Employees Are Pissed About the Company's Swagless New Dress Code |url = http://www.complex.com/style/2014/09/walmart-employees-not-happy-with-new-dress-code |accessdate = March 29, 2015 |work = Complex |date = September 2, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150408004424/http://www.complex.com/style/2014/09/walmart-employees-not-happy-with-new-dress-code |archivedate = April 8, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Reportedly one of the main reasons the vest was reintroduced was that some customers had trouble identifying employees.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Lanning |first1 = Curt |title = Walmart Changes Up Dress Code For Employees |url = http://5newsonline.com/2014/09/05/walmart-changes-up-dress-code-for-employees/ |accessdate = March 29, 2015 |work = 5 News Online |agency = KFSM |date = September 5, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150111233733/http://5newsonline.com/2014/09/05/walmart-changes-up-dress-code-for-employees/ |archivedate = January 11, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2016, self-checkout associates, door greeters and customer service managers began wearing a yellow vest to be better seen by customers. By requiring employees to wear uniforms that are made up of standard "street wear", Walmart is not required to purchase or reimbursement employees which is required in some states, as long as that clothing can be worn elsewhere. Businesses are only legally required to pay for branded shirts and pants or clothes that would be difficult to wear outside of work.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Berman |first1 = Jillian |title = Walmart Workers Complain They Can't Afford New Dress Code |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/09/walmart-dress-code_n_5792224.html |accessdate = March 29, 2015 |work = The Huffington Post |publisher = TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. |date = September 10, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150403092448/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/09/walmart-dress-code_n_5792224.html |archivedate = April 3, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Unlike many other retailers, Walmart does not charge [[slotting fee]]s to suppliers for their products to appear in the store.<ref name="nelson">{{cite web |author = Nelson, Emily |url = http://www.columbia.edu/~ss957/media_ref_pages/TooManyChoices.html |title = Too Many Choices – Nine Kinds of Kleenex Tissue, Eggo Waffles in 16 Flavors: Blame Brand Managers |work = The Wall Street Journal |date = April 20, 2001 |accessdate = August 1, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060503002041/http://www.columbia.edu/~ss957/media_ref_pages/TooManyChoices.html |archivedate = May 3, 2006 |df = }}</ref> Instead, it focuses on selling more-popular products and provides incentives for store managers to drop unpopular products.<ref name="nelson" />
On September 14, 2006, the company announced that it would phase out its [[layaway]] program, citing declining use and increased costs.<ref>Staff Writer. [http://www.walmartfacts.com/articles/4438.aspx Wal-Mart Will Phase Out Layaway Program"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061130162309/http://www.walmartfacts.com/articles/4438.aspx |date=November 30, 2006 }}, Wal-Mart. September 14, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2006.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://corporate.walmart.com/_news_/news-archive/2006/11/29/minnesota-based-mississippi-valley-fruit-company-teams-with-wal-mart-to-celebrate-americas-farmers |title = Minnesota-Based Mississippi Valley Fruit Company Teams with Wal-Mart to Celebrate America's Farmers |accessdate = June 16, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160625014851/http://corporate.walmart.com/_news_/news-archive/2006/11/29/minnesota-based-mississippi-valley-fruit-company-teams-with-wal-mart-to-celebrate-americas-farmers |archivedate = June 25, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Layaway ceased on November 19, 2006, and required merchandise pickup by December 8, 2006. Walmart now focuses on other payment options, such as increased use of six- and twelve-month, zero-interest financing. The layaway location in most stores is now used for Walmart's Site-To-Store program, which was introduced in March 2007. This enables ''walmart.com'' customers to buy goods online with a free shipping option, and have goods shipped to the nearest store for pickup.<ref name="site-to-store">{{cite web |author = McCarthy, Caroline |url = http://www.news.com/2110-1030_3-6164619.html |title = Free Shipping from Walmart.com ... with Store Pickup |publisher = [[CNET]] |date = March 6, 2007 |accessdate = November 1, 2007 }}</ref> Walmart continues to offer seasonal Layaway on select categories from late summer through early Christmas and year-round in their jewelry department.
On September 15, 2017, Walmart announced that it would build a new headquarters in Bentonville to replace its current 1971 building and consolidate operations that have spread out to 20 different buildings throughout Bentonville.<ref>{{cite web |title = Wal-Mart reveals new headquarter plans |url = http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2017/sep/15/wal-mart-reveals-new-headquarter-plans/ |website = Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette |accessdate = September 15, 2017 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170915232820/http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2017/sep/15/wal-mart-reveals-new-headquarter-plans/ |archivedate = September 15, 2017 |date = September 15, 2017 }}</ref>
=== Finance and governance ===
For the [[fiscal year]] ending January 31, 2015, Walmart reported [[net income]] of {{US$|17{{nbsp}}billion}} on $485.7{{nbsp}}billion of revenue. The company's international operations accounted for $197.7{{nbsp}}billion, or 40.7 percent, of sales.<ref name="Form10K">{{cite web |title = Wal-Mart Form 10K: Portions of Annual Report to Shareholders |url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000010416915000011/wmtform10-kx13115.htm |publisher = United States Securities and Exchange Commission |accessdate = December 25, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20151025155844/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000010416915000011/wmtform10-kx13115.htm |archivedate = October 25, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart is the world's 18th-largest public corporation, according to the [[Forbes Global 2000]] list, and the largest public corporation when ranked by revenue.<ref name="forbes_global_2000">{{cite news |title = The World's Biggest Public Companies |url = https://www.forbes.com/global2000/list |accessdate = June 28, 2011 |newspaper = Forbes |date = April 2011 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110630031717/http://www.forbes.com/global2000/list |archivedate = June 30, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Walmart is governed by a fifteen-member board of directors elected annually by [[shareholder]]s. [[Gregory B. Penner]], son-in-law of [[S. Robson Walton]] and the grandson-in-law of Sam Walton, serves as [[chairman]] of the board. Doug McMillon serves as president and chief executive officer. Members of the board include [[Aída Álvarez]], [[Jim Breyer]], [[M. Michele Burns]], [[James Cash, Jr.|James Cash]], [[Roger Corbett]], [[Douglas Daft]], [[David Glass (businessman)|David Glass]], [[Marissa Mayer]], Allen Questrom, Arne M. Sorenson, [[Jim Walton]], S. Robson Walton, Christopher J. Williams, and Linda S. Wolf.<ref name="Form10K" /><ref name="Sorkin_Rusli">{{cite news |last = Sorkin, Andrew R. |author2 = Rusli, Evelyn M. |title = A Yahoo Search Calls Up a Chief From Google. |url = https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/07/16/googles-marissa-mayer-tapped-as-yahoos-chief/ |accessdate = July 20, 2012 |newspaper = The New York Times |date = July 16, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120720011353/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/07/16/googles-marissa-mayer-tapped-as-yahoos-chief/ |archivedate = July 20, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Notable former members of the board include [[Hillary Clinton]] (1985–1992)<ref>{{cite web |author = Harkavy, Ward |url = http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0021,harkavy,15052,5.html |title = Wal-Mart's First Lady |work = [[The Village Voice]] |date = May 24, 2000 |accessdate = August 3, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050301202725/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0021%2Charkavy%2C15052%2C5.html |archive-date = March 1, 2005 |deadurl = yes |df = }}</ref> and [[Tom Coughlin (Walmart executive)|Tom Coughlin]] (2003–2004), the latter having served as vice chairman. Clinton left the board before the [[United States presidential election, 1992|1992 U.S. presidential election]], and Coughlin left in December 2005 after pleading guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Walmart.<ref>{{cite news |author = Boulden, Jennifer |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=a574eQ1zemuk&refer=top_world_news |title = Wal-Mart Former Vice Chairman Coughlin Admits Fraud |magazine = Bloomberg |date = January 31, 2006 |accessdate = August 3, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080712173022/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=a574eQ1zemuk&refer=top_world_news |archivedate = July 12, 2008 }}</ref> On August 11, 2006, he was sentenced to 27 months' home confinement and five years of probation, and ordered to pay $411,000 in restitution.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://batterys.over-blog.com/article-wal-mart-stores-inc-85031463.html |title = Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. |accessdate = December 19, 2012 |author = Samedi |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117025424/http://batterys.over-blog.com/article-wal-mart-stores-inc-85031463.html |archivedate = January 17, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
After Sam Walton's death in 1992, Don Soderquist, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice Chairman, became known as the "Keeper of the Culture".<ref name="Soderquist_Donald">{{Cite journal |title = The Wal-mart Way: The Inside Story of the Success of the World's Largest Company |author = Soderquist, Donald |edition = 2nd |date = April 19, 2005 |isbn = 978-0-7852-6119-3 |publisher = [[Thomas Nelson (publisher)|Thomas Nelson]] }}</ref>
=== Ownership ===
Walmart Inc. is a [[joint-stock company]] registered with the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]. {{As of|2017|March|df=US|post=,}}<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/217476/999999999717001550/9999999997-17-001550-index.htm |title = No Action Letter 2017 |last = WALMART STORES |first = |date = |website = SEC Edgar |access-date = |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170305115038/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/217476/999999999717001550/9999999997-17-001550-index.htm |archivedate = March 5, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> it has 3,292,377,090 outstanding shares. These are held mainly by the [[Walton family]], a number of [[Institutional investor|institutions]] and [[Mutual fund|funds]].<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000130817913000238/lwalmart_def14a.htm#_N1576F |title = WALMART – DEF 14A |website = www.sec.gov |access-date = March 4, 2017 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170305115146/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000130817913000238/lwalmart_def14a.htm#_N1576F |archivedate = March 5, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/WMT/holders?p=WMT|title=WMT Major Holders {{!}} Insider Transactions {{!}} Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Stock – Yahoo Finance|website=finance.yahoo.com|language=en-US|access-date=March 4, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305115223/https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/WMT/holders?p=WMT|archivedate=March 5, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* 43.00% (1,415,891,131): [[Walton family|Walton Enterprises]] LLC
* 5.30% (174,563,205): [[Walton family|Walton Family]] Holdings Trust<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2016/annual/Proxy-Statement.pdf?p=75 |title = 2016 Notice of Annual Shareholders' Meeting and Proxy Statement |last = Walmart |first = |date = June 3, 2016 |website = |page = 75 |access-date = March 5, 2017 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170306131032/http://s2.q4cdn.com/056532643/files/doc_financials/2016/annual/Proxy-Statement.pdf?p=75 |archivedate = March 6, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
* 3.32% (102,036,399): [[The Vanguard Group]], Inc
* 2.37% (72,714,226): [[State Street Corporation]]
* 1.37% (42,171,892): [[BlackRock]] Institutional Trust Company
* 0.94% (28,831,721): [[The Vanguard Group|Vanguard]] Total Stock Market Index Fund
* 0.77% (23,614,578): [[BlackRock]] Fund Advisors
* 0.71% (21,769,126): [[Dodge & Cox]] Inc
* 0.68% (20,978,727): [[The Vanguard Group|Vanguard]] 500 Index Fund
* 0.65% (20,125,838): [[Bank of America]] Corporation
* 0.57% (17,571,058): [[The Bank of New York Mellon|Bank of New York Mellon]] Corporation
* 0.57% (17,556,128): [[Northern Trust]] Corporation
* 0.55% (16,818,165): [[The Vanguard Group|Vanguard]] Institutional Index Fund-Institutional Index Fund
* 0.55% (16,800,850): [[State Farm Insurance|State Farm]] Mutual Automobile Insurance Co
* 0.52% (15,989,827): [[SPDR]] S&P 500 ETF Trust
=== Competition ===
In North America, Walmart's primary competitors include [[grocery store]]s and [[department store]]s like [[Aldi]], [[Kmart]], [[Kroger]], [[Ingles]], [[Publix]], [[Target Corporation|Target]], [[Harris Teeter]], [[Shopko]], and [[Meijer]], and [[Winn Dixie]], Canada's The [[Real Canadian Superstore]], [[Sobeys]] and [[Giant Tiger]], and Mexico's [[Comercial Mexicana]] and [[Soriana]]. Competitors of Walmart's Sam's Club division are [[Costco]] and the smaller [[BJ's Wholesale Club]] chain. Walmart's move into the grocery business in the late 1990s set it against major supermarket chains in both the United States and Canada. Several smaller retailers, primarily [[Variety store|dollar stores]], such as [[Family Dollar]] and [[Dollar General]], have been able to find a small niche market and compete successfully against Walmart.<ref>{{cite news |author = Stilgoe, John |url = http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2003/11/23/wal_mart_giant_can_be_tamed |title = Wal-Mart Giant Can Be Tamed |work = The Boston Globe |date = November 23, 2003 |accessdate = January 11, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070328010529/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2003/11/23/wal_mart_giant_can_be_tamed/ |archivedate = March 28, 2007 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2004, Walmart responded by testing its own dollar store concept, a subsection of some stores called "Pennies-n-Cents."<ref>{{cite web |author = Berner, Robert |url = http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_19/b3882086.htm |title = Out-Discounting the Discounter |work = BusinessWeek |date = May 10, 2004 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120629083316/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_19/b3882086.htm |archivedate = June 29, 2012 }}</ref>
Walmart also had to face fierce competition in some foreign markets. For example, in Germany it had captured just 2{{nbsp}}percent of the German food market following its entry into the market in 1997 and remained "a secondary player" behind [[Aldi]] with 19{{nbsp}}percent.<ref name="Struggling In Germany">{{cite web |author = Ewing, Jack |url = http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_15/b3928086_mz054.htm |title = Wal-Mart: Struggling in Germany |work = BusinessWeek |date = April 11, 2005 |accessdate = July 27, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060813111855/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_15/b3928086_mz054.htm |archivedate = August 13, 2006 }}</ref> Walmart continues to do well in the UK, where its Asda subsidiary is the second-largest retailer.<ref name="A Bumpy Ride in Europe">{{cite news |author = Fairlamb, David |author2 = Laura Cohn |url = http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_40/b3852011_mz001.htm |title = A Bumpy Ride in Europe = |work = BusinessWeek |date = October 6, 2003 |accessdate = July 27, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060829135641/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_40/b3852011_mz001.htm |archivedate = August 29, 2006 }}</ref>
In May 2006, after entering the South Korean market in 1998, Walmart sold all 16{{nbsp}}of its South Korean outlets to [[Shinsegae]], a local retailer, for {{US$|882{{nbsp}}million}}. Shinsegae re-branded the Walmarts as [[E-mart]] stores.<ref name="NYT_wmt_skorea">{{cite news |author = Sang-Hun, Choe |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/23/business/worldbusiness/23shop.html |title = Wal-Mart Selling Stores and Leaving South Korea |work = The New York Times |date = May 23, 2006 |accessdate = December 2, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090424182423/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/23/business/worldbusiness/23shop.html |archivedate = April 24, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Walmart struggled to export its brand elsewhere as it rigidly tried to reproduce its model overseas. In China, Walmart hopes to succeed by adapting and doing things preferable to Chinese citizens. For example, it found that Chinese consumers preferred to select their own live fish and seafood; stores began displaying the meat uncovered and installed fish tanks, leading to higher sales.<ref name="China_reinvent">{{cite web |url = http://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/walmart-low-prices-big-numbers/ |title = Walmart: Low Prices, Big Numbers |publisher = IndustryLeaders |accessdate = December 16, 2012 |author = Ann, Carrie |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CwmGVwgZ?url=http://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/walmart-low-prices-big-numbers/ |archivedate = December 16, 2012 |deadurl = no }}</ref>
=== Customer base ===
Walmart customers cite low prices as the most important reason for shopping there.<ref name="nytmorethanprice">{{cite news |author = Barbaro, Michael |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/02/business/02walmart.html |title = It's Not Only about Price at Wal-Mart |work = The New York Times |date = March 2, 2007 |accessdate = April 3, 2007 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080307092045/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/02/business/02walmart.html |archivedate = March 7, 2008 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The average U.S. Walmart customer's income is below the national average.<ref name="walmart2006" /> A 2006 Walmart report also indicated that Walmart customers are sensitive to higher utility costs and gas prices.<ref name="walmart2006">{{cite web |url = http://companies.jrank.org/pages/4721/Wal-Mart-De-Mexico-S-De-C-V.html |title = Wal Mart De Mexico, S.A. De C.V. Business Information, Profile, and History |publisher = Jrank |accessdate = December 19, 2012 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121224235631/http://companies.jrank.org/pages/4721/Wal-Mart-De-Mexico-S-De-C-V.html |archivedate = December 24, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> A poll indicated that after the [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004 US presidential election]], 76{{nbsp}}percent of voters who shopped at Walmart once a week voted for [[George W. Bush]] while only 23 percent supported senator [[John Kerry]].<ref name="zogbypoll">{{cite web |url = http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2012-11-23-4#.UM1ok-Oe9uo |title = Group protests at local Walmart |accessdate = December 16, 2012 |author = Gardner, Sheldon |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121201145953/http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2012-11-23-4#.UM1ok-Oe9uo |archivedate = December 1, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> When measured against similar retailers in the U.S., frequent Walmart shoppers were rated the most politically [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]].<ref>{{cite news |author = Birchall, Jonathan |author2 = Yeager, Holly |title = A Purchase on Psephology |publisher = ''Financial Times'' |date = August 17, 2006 |page = 9 |edition = US }}</ref> Thus, {{as of|2014|lc=y|post=,}} the "majority (54{{nbsp}}percent) [of] Americans who prefer shopping at Walmart report that they oppose [[same-sex marriage]], while 40 percent are in favor of it."<ref>{{cite web |url = http://publicreligion.org/2014/08/targets-support-for-same-sex-marriage-mirrors-customers-views/ |title = Target's Support for Same-sex Marriage Mirrors Customers' Views |last = Cox |first = Daniel |date = August 7, 2014 |publisher = Public Religion Research Institute |accessdate = August 15, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140812090145/http://publicreligion.org/2014/08/targets-support-for-same-sex-marriage-mirrors-customers-views/ |archivedate = August 12, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
Due to its prominence in the [[Bible Belt]], Walmart is known for its "tradition of tailoring its service to churchgoing customers".<ref name="Gilgoff">{{cite news |url = http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/24/7-religious-companies-besides-chick-fil-a/ |title = 9 religious companies (besides Chick-fil-A) |last = Gilgoff |first = Dan |date = July 24, 2012 |publisher = CNN |accessdate = April 13, 2014 |quote = And the company's Arkansas roots helped sensitize it to the shopping habits of churchgoers. It helps explain why Walmart long carries the kind of Christian books that were once the exclusive province of Christian bookstores. "You don't find those kinds of things in J.C. Penney," Lambert says. But Walmart has been so successful with such material that it's now become a business threat to Christian booksellers. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140205051508/http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/24/7-religious-companies-besides-chick-fil-a/ |archivedate = February 5, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="Sellers">{{cite web |url = http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/may/17.40.html |title = Deliver Us from Wal-Mart? |last = Sellers |first = Jeff M. |date = April 22, 2005 |publisher = [[Christianity Today]] |accessdate = April 13, 2014 |quote = Indeed, based in the Bible Belt town of Bentonville, Arkansas, Wal-Mart has a tradition of tailoring its service to churchgoing customers. It sells only the sanitized versions of hip-hop cds bearing warnings of objectionable content. Responding to a campaign by the largest evangelical mutual fund group, The Timothy Plan, to keep Cosmopolitan magazine covers out of view of Wal-Mart customers, the company slapped plastic sheathes over suggestive women's periodicals and banned "lad mags" such as Maxim. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140107233259/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/may/17.40.html |archivedate = January 7, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart only carries [[Censorship of music|clean versions]] of hip-hop [[Compact Disc|audio CDs]] and in cooperation with [[The Timothy Plan]], places "plastic sheathes over suggestive women's periodicals and banned 'lad mags' such as [[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]" magazine.<ref name="Gilgoff" /><ref name="Sellers" /> In addition, Walmart also caters to its Christian customer base by selling [[Christian media|Christian books and media]],<ref name="Gilgoff" /><ref name="Collidge">{{cite news |url = https://www.forbes.com/2003/09/15/cz_cc_0915wmt.html |title = David Vs. Goliath |last = Coolidge |first = Carrie |date = September 15, 2012 |publisher = Forbes |accessdate = April 13, 2014 |quote = Wal-Mart Stores has seen the light. The world's biggest retailer has discovered Christian-themed merchandise is one of the fastest-growing categories around. With offerings ranging from best-selling books and videos including The Purpose Driven Life and Veggie Tales, Wal-Mart's annual sales from Christian-themed merchandise, which is estimated to already exceed $1 billion annually, is growing at a rapid pace. On a company-wide basis, Wal-Mart now offers 550 different Christian music titles and more than 1,200 Christian book titles. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140413140729/http://www.forbes.com/2003/09/15/cz_cc_0915wmt.html |archivedate = April 13, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> "such as [[VeggieTales]] videos and [[The Purpose-Driven Life]]", which earns the company over {{US$|1{{nbsp}}billion}} annually.<ref name="Collidge" /><ref name="Sellers2">{{cite web |url = http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/may/17.40.html |title = Deliver Us from Wal-Mart? |last = Sellers |first = Jeff M. |date = April 22, 2005 |publisher = Christianity Today |accessdate = April 13, 2014 |quote = In addition, according to Forbes magazine, Wal-Mart has become the largest retailer of Christian-themed merchandise, with well over $1 billion in sales of such items as VeggieTales videos and The Purpose-Driven Life books. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140107233259/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/may/17.40.html |archivedate = January 7, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
In 2006, Walmart took steps to expand its U.S. customer base, announcing a modification in its U.S. stores from a "one-size-fits-all" merchandising strategy to one designed to "reflect each of six demographic groups—African-Americans, the affluent, empty-nesters, Hispanics, suburbanites, and rural residents."<ref name="Reuters 06">{{cite news |title = Report: Wal-Mart to adopt new custom-fit retail approach |url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/2006/09/07/report-wal-mart-to-adopt-new-custom-fit-retail-approach.html |agency = Reuters |date = September 7, 2006 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307033321/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2006/09/07/report-wal-mart-to-adopt-new-custom-fit-retail-approach.html |archivedate = March 7, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Around six months later, it unveiled a new slogan:'' "Saving people money so they can live better lives"''. This reflects the three main groups into which Walmart categorizes its 200{{nbsp}}million customers: "brand aspirationals" (people with low incomes who are obsessed with big name brands), "price-sensitive affluents" (wealthier shoppers who love deals), and "value-price shoppers" (people who like low prices and cannot afford much more).<ref name="nytmorethanprice" /> Walmart has also made steps to appeal to more [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]] customers, for example, by rejecting the [[American Family Association]]'s recommendations and carrying the DVD ''[[Brokeback Mountain]]'', a love story between two gay cowboys in Wyoming.<ref name="brokeback">{{cite web |url = https://www.imdb.com/news/sb/2006-04-04/ |title = Wal-Mart Hit by 'Brokeback' Protest |publisher = Imdb |accessdate = December 8, 2012 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070321212405/http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/2006-04-04 |archivedate = March 21, 2007 }}</ref>
=== Technology ===
==== Open source software ====
Many Walmart technology projects are coded in the open and available through the Walmart Labs [[GitHub]] repository<ref>{{cite web |author1 = Alex Grigoryan |url = https://github.com/walmartlabs |website = Github |accessdate = November 4, 2016 |title = Walmart Labs – Github |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170104074304/https://github.com/walmartlabs |archivedate = January 4, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> as [[Open Source]] software under the [[Open Source Initiative|OSI approved]] [[Apache License|Apache V2.0 license]]. {{As of|2016|November|post=,}} 141 public Github projects are listed.
During a migration of the walmart.com retail platform to [[React (JavaScript library)|Facebook React]] and [[Node.js]], the Electrode<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.electrode.io/ |accessdate = November 4, 2016 |title = Introducing Electrode, an open source release from @WalmartLabs |quote = Electrode is a platform for building universal React/Node.js applications with standardized structure, best practices, and modern technologies baked in. Electrode focuses on performance, component reusability, and simple deployment to multiple cloud providers—so you can focus on what makes your app unique. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161104204315/http://www.electrode.io/ |archivedate = November 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> project was created to power the e-commerce platform which serves 80 million visitors per month and 15 million items.
Electrode provides various developer enhancements and tools for the developer including Node.js configuration and feature management.
Alex Grigoryan<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Grigoryan |first1 = Alex |url = https://medium.com/@lexgrigoryan |accessdate = November 4, 2016 |title = Alex Grigoryan – Medium |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161104205902/https://medium.com/@lexgrigoryan |archivedate = November 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> of Walmart Labs released a statement<ref>{{cite web |url = https://medium.com/walmartlabs/introducing-electrode-an-open-source-release-from-walmartlabs-14b836135319#.uvbvyrc0s |website = Medium |accessdate = November 4, 2016 |title = Introducing Electrode, an open source release from @WalmartLabs |quote = In less than one year, Walmart.com has completed its migration to React/Node.js and we are proud of that accomplishment! The goal was to build a new application platform to help @WalmartLabs and its engineers scale for the future. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161104205900/https://medium.com/walmartlabs/introducing-electrode-an-open-source-release-from-walmartlabs-14b836135319#.uvbvyrc0s |archivedate = November 4, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> on Medium.com on October 3, 2016 explaining the details of the applications and the scale that they operate at Walmart.
==== Big data analytics ====
As the largest retailer in the U.S., Walmart collects and analyzes a large amount of consumer data. The [[big data]] sets are [[Data mining|mined]] for use in [[predictive analytics]], which allow the company to optimize operations by predicting customer's habits. Walmart's [[datacenter]] is unofficially referred to as [[Area 71]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}}
In April 2011, Walmart acquired [[Kosmix]] to develop software for analyzing real-time data streams.<ref>Chris V. Nicholson, ''The New York Times''. "[https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/04/19/wal-mart-buys-social-media-site-kosmix/?_r=0 Wal-Mart Buys Social Media Firm Kosmix] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525042852/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/04/19/wal-mart-buys-social-media-site-kosmix/?_r=0 |date=May 25, 2017 }}." April 19, 2011. Retrieved December 7, 2016.</ref> In August 2012, Walmart announced its Polaris search engine.<ref>Sarah Perez, TechCrunch. "[https://techcrunch.com/2012/08/30/in-battle-with-amazon-walmart-unveils-polaris-a-semantic-search-engine-for-products/ In Battle With Amazon, Walmart Unveils Polaris, A Semantic Search Engine For Products] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308134741/https://techcrunch.com/2012/08/30/in-battle-with-amazon-walmart-unveils-polaris-a-semantic-search-engine-for-products/ |date=March 8, 2017 }}." August 30, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2017.</ref>
The amount of data gathered by Walmart has raised privacy concerns.<ref name="nyt1">{{cite news |last = HAYS |first = CONSTANCE L. |title = What Wal-Mart Knows About Customers' Habits |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/14/business/yourmoney/14wal.html |accessdate = November 27, 2013 |newspaper = The New York Times |date = November 14, 2004 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131220044349/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/14/business/yourmoney/14wal.html |archivedate = December 20, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = A CASE STUDY OF WALMART |url = http://centerformediajustice.org/wp-content/files/WALMART_PRIVACY_MR.pdf |publisher = [[Center for Media Justice]] |accessdate = November 27, 2013 |date = November 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005506/http://centerformediajustice.org/wp-content/files/WALMART_PRIVACY_MR.pdf |archive-date = December 3, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Berman |first = Jillian |title = Walmart Now Possesses Info On An Estimated 145 Million Americans: Analysis |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/26/walmart-data_n_4344879.html |publisher = Huffington Post |accessdate = November 27, 2013 |date = November 26, 2013 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131127161035/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/26/walmart-data_n_4344879.html |archivedate = November 27, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
== Charity ==
Sam Walton believed that the company's contribution to society was the fact that it operated efficiently, thereby lowering the [[cost of living]] for customers, and, therefore, in that sense was a "powerful force for good", despite his refusal to contribute cash to philanthropic causes.<ref>{{cite book |last = Lichtenstein |first = Nelson |title = The Retail Revolution: How Wal-Mart Created a Brave New World of Business |url = https://books.google.com/?id=ot0-dSuyF8wC&pg=PA279&lpg=PA279&dq=%E2%80%9CWe+feel+very+strongly,%E2%80%9D+he+wrote,+%E2%80%9Cthat+Wal-Mart+really%C2%A0is+not,+and%C2%A0should+not%C2%A0be,+in+the+charity+business.%E2%80%9D#v=onepage&q=%E2%80%9CWe%20feel%20very%20strongly%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20wrote%2C%20%E2%80%9Cthat%20Wal-Mart%20really%C2%A0is%20not%2C%20and%C2%A0should%20not%C2%A0be%2C%20in%20the%20charity%20business.%E2%80%9D&f=false |publisher = Macmillan |accessdate = August 1, 2013 |page = 279 |date = July 21, 2009 |isbn = 978-1-4299-8971-8 }}</ref> Having begun to feel that his wealth attracted people who wanted nothing more than a "handout", he explained that while he believed his family had been fortunate and wished to use his wealth to aid worthy causes like education, they could not be expected to "solve every personal problem that comes to [their] attention". He explained later in his autobiography, "We feel very strongly that Wal-Mart really is ''not'', and ''should not'' be, in the charity business," stating "any debit has to be passed along to somebody—either shareholders or our customers."<ref>{{cite book |last = Walton |first = Sam |title = Sam Walton: Made In America |url = https://books.google.com/?id=ggN9Kp8UVfwC&pg=PA299&dq=%E2%80%9Cany+undeserving+stranger+a+free+ride%E2%80%9D#v=onepage&q=%E2%80%9Cany%20undeserving%20stranger%20a%20free%20ride%E2%80%9D&f=false |publisher = Random House LLC |accessdate = July 30, 2013 |pages = 299–306 |date = September 12, 2012 |isbn = 978-0-307-76369-3 }}</ref> Since Sam Walton's death in 1992, however, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation dramatically increased charitable giving. For example, in 2005, Walmart donated {{US$|20{{nbsp}}million}} in cash and merchandise for Hurricane Katrina relief. Today, Walmart's charitable donations approach {{US$|1{{nbsp}}billion}} each year.<ref name="Charity Evaluated">{{cite web |last = Featherstone |first = Liza |title = Wal-Mart Charity Evaluated: Critics question company's motives |url = http://reclaimdemocracy.org/walmart-charity/ |publisher = The Nation |accessdate = August 1, 2013 |date = November 21, 2005 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202240/http://reclaimdemocracy.org/walmart-charity/ |archivedate = October 29, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
== Economic impact ==
Kenneth Stone, Professor of Economics at Iowa State University, in a paper published in ''Farm Foundation'' in 1997, found that some small towns can lose almost half of their retail trade within ten years of a Walmart store opening. He compared the changes to previous competitors small town shops have faced in the past—from the development of the railroads and the Sears Roebuck catalog to shopping malls. He concludes that small towns are more affected by "discount mass merchandiser stores" than larger towns and that shop owners who adapt to the ever-changing retail market can "co-exist and even thrive in this type of environment."<ref name="Rural" />
One study found Walmart's entry into a new market has a profound impact on its competition. When a Walmart opens in a new market, median sales drop 40 percent at similar high-volume stores, 17 percent at supermarkets and 6 percent at drugstores, according to a June 2009 study by researchers at several universities and led by the Tuck School of Business at [[Dartmouth College]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0704-soda-wars-20100703,0,5230113.story |title = Wal-Mart Impact: Pop Price War Warns of Wal-Mart Impact for Chicago |author = Julie Wernau |publisher = Chicago Tribune |date = July 4, 2010 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100723082249/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0704-soda-wars-20100703,0,5230113.story |archivedate = July 23, 2010 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> A [[Loyola University Chicago]] study suggested that the impact a Walmart store has on a local business is correlated to its distance from that store. The leader of that study admits that this factor is stronger in smaller towns and doesn't apply to more urban areas saying "It'd be so tough to nail down what's up with Wal-Mart".<ref name="wpost">{{cite news |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/22/AR2008062201717.html |title = When Wal-Mart Moves In, Neighborhood Businesses Suffer. Right? |last = Mui |first = Ylan Q. |date = June 23, 2008 |work = The Washington Post |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170525061526/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/22/AR2008062201717.html |archivedate = May 25, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> These findings are underscored by another study conducted in 2009 by the National Bureau of Economics that showed "large, negative effects" for competing businesses within {{convert|5|to|10|mi|0}} of the newly opening big-box retailer. This same study also found that the local retailers experience virtually no benefit.<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Haltiwanger |first1 = John |title = Mom-And-Pop Meet Big Box: Compliments or Substitutes? |url = http://www.nber.org/papers/w15348.pdf |website = National Bureau of Economics |publisher = National Bureau of Economics |accessdate = November 26, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141204173757/http://www.nber.org/papers/w15348.pdf |archivedate = December 4, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart's negative effects on local retailers may be partially explained by studies that find that local firms re-invest nearly 63 percent more of profits in other local businesses compared to chain retailers, as found by the Maine Center of Economic Policy in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Patel |first1 = Amar |title = Going Local |url = http://www.mecep.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MECEP_Report_-_Buying_Local-12-5-2011.pdf |website = Maine Center for Economic Policy |publisher = Maine Center for Economic Policy |accessdate = November 26, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141205164242/http://www.mecep.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/MECEP_Report_-_Buying_Local-12-5-2011.pdf |archivedate = December 5, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
David Merriman, Joseph Persky, Julie Davis and Ron Baiman did a study in ''[[Economic Development Quarterly]]'' outlining the impacts of Walmart in [[Chicago]]. The study draws from three annual surveys of enterprises within a four-mile radius of a new Chicago Walmart and it "shows that the probability of going out of business was significantly higher for establishments close to that store". The study illustrated how approximately 300 jobs were lost due to the opening of the store, which is about equivalent to Walmart's employment in the area. The overall findings of this study reinforce the "contention that large-city Walmarts, like those in small towns, absorb retail sales from nearby stores without significantly expanding the market" as this is one of the first studies of Walmarts economic impacts on local economies.<ref>Economic Development Quarterly Vol 26, Issue 4, pp. 321 – 333 First Published September 3, 2012</ref>
* A 2001 [[McKinsey & Company|McKinsey]] Global Institute study of U.S. labor productivity growth between 1995 and 2000 concluded that "Wal-Mart directly and indirectly caused the bulk of the productivity acceleration" in the retail sector.<ref>{{cite web |title = US productivity growth, 1995–2000 |url = http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/mgi/research/productivity_competitiveness_and_growth/us_productivity_growth_1995-2000 |publisher = [[McKinsey & Company|McKinsey]] Global Institute |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CQoZDHTb?url=http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/mgi/research/productivity_competitiveness_and_growth/us_productivity_growth_1995-2000 |archivedate = November 25, 2012 |date = October 2001 }}</ref> [[Robert Solow]], a Nobel laureate in economics and an adviser to the study, stated that "[b]y far the most important factor in that [growth] is Wal-Mart."<ref>{{cite web |last = Ghemawat |first = Pankaj |title = The Real Wal-Mart Effect |url = http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5474.html |publisher = [[Harvard Business School]] |author2 = Ken A. Mark |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CQoha02g?url=http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5474.html |archivedate = November 25, 2012 |date = August 23, 2006 }}</ref>
* The [[Economic Policy Institute]] estimates that between 2001 and 2006, Wal-Mart's trade deficit with China alone eliminated nearly 200,000 U.S. jobs.<ref>{{cite web |author = Clark, Robert E. |date = June 26, 2007 |url = http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/ib235 |title = The Wal-Mart effect: Its Chinese imports have displaced nearly 200,000 U.S. jobs |accessdate = August 2, 2008 }}</ref> Another study at the [[University of Missouri]] found that a new store increases net retail employment in the county by 100 jobs in the short term, half of which disappear over five years as other retail establishments close.<ref>{{cite web |author = Basker, Emek |year = 2002 |url = http://econwpa.wustl.edu/eps/lab/papers/0303/0303002.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050430063233/http://econwpa.wustl.edu/eps/lab/papers/0303/0303002.pdf |dead-url = yes |archive-date = April 30, 2005 |title = Job Creation or Destruction? Labor-Market Effects of Wal-Mart Expansion |format = PDF |publisher = [[University of Missouri]] |accessdate = August 4, 2006 }}</ref>
* A 2004 paper by two professors at [[Pennsylvania State University]] found that U.S. counties with Walmart stores suffered increased poverty compared with counties without Wal-Marts.<ref name="PSUstudy">{{cite web |author = Goetz, Stephan J. |author2 = Hema Swaminathan |date = October 18, 2004 |url = http://aers.psu.edu/research/centers/cecd/research/wal-mart-and-county-wide-poverty/full-study/at_download/file |title = Wal-Mart and County-Wide Poverty |publisher = [[Pennsylvania State University]] |accessdate = August 4, 2006 }}</ref> They hypothesized that this could be due to the displacement of workers from higher-paid jobs in the retailers customers no longer choose to patronize, Wal-Mart providing less local charity than the replaced businesses, or a shrinking pool of local leadership and reduced [[social capital]] due to a reduced number of local independent businesses.<ref name="PSUstudy" /> Dr [[Raj Patel]], author of "[[Stuffed and Starved]]: Markets, Power and the Hidden Battle for the World Food System", said in a lecture at the [[University of Melbourne]] on September 18, 2007, that a study in Nebraska looked at two different Wal-Marts, the first of which had just arrived and "was in the process of driving everyone else out of business but, to do that, they cut their prices to the bone, very, very low prices". In the other Wal-Mart, "they had successfully destroyed the local economy, there was a sort of economic crater with Wal-Mart in the middle; and, in that community, the prices were 17{{nbsp}}percent higher".<ref name="RNBigIdeas">{{cite news |author = Patel, R. |date = September 18, 2007 |url = http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bigideas/stories/2009/2534576.htm |title = Food Glorious Food |publisher = [[Radio National]] |accessdate = April 10, 2009 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090415143023/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bigideas/stories/2009/2534576.htm |archivedate = April 15, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
* A 2005 story in ''The Washington Post'' reported that "Wal-Mart's discounting on food alone boosts the welfare of American shoppers by at least {{US$|50{{nbsp}}billion}} per year."<ref>{{cite news |author = Mallaby, Sebastian |date = November 28, 2005 |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/27/AR2005112700687.html |title = Progressive Wal-Mart. Really |publisher = ''The Washington Post'' |accessdate = August 4, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080516202924/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/27/AR2005112700687.html |archivedate = May 16, 2008 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> A study in 2005 at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] (MIT) measured the effect on [[Welfare economics|consumer welfare]] and found that the poorest segment of the population benefits the most from the existence of discount retailers.<ref>{{cite web |author = Hausman, Jerry |author2 = Ephraim Leibtag |date = October 2005 |url = http://economics.mit.edu/files/1765 |title = Consumer Benefits from Increased Competition in Shopping Outlets: Measuring the Effect of Wal-Mart |publisher = [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]]/[[United States Department of Agriculture]] |accessdate = August 4, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120816233917/http://economics.mit.edu/files/1765 |archivedate = August 16, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
* A June 2006 article published by the [[Libertarianism|libertarian]] [[Ludwig von Mises Institute]] suggested that Wal-Mart has a positive impact on small business.<ref name="ultimate">Kirklin, Paul. (June 28, 2006). "[https://www.mises.org/story/2219/ The Ultimate pro-WalMart Article] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524063213/http://mises.org/story/2219 |date=May 24, 2009 }}". Ludwig von Mises Institute. Retrieved August 17, 2006.</ref> It argued that while Wal-Mart's low prices caused some existing businesses to close, the chain also created new opportunities for other small business, and so "the process of [[creative destruction]] unleashed by Wal-Mart has no statistically significant impact on the overall size of the small business sector in the United States."<ref name="sobel_dean">Sobel, Russell S.; Andrea M. Dean. "[http://be.wvu.edu/Div/econ/work/pdf_files/06-05.pdf Has Wal-Mart Buried Mom and Pop?: The Impact of Wal-Mart on Self Employment and Small Establishments in the United States] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618004041/http://be.wvu.edu/Div/econ/work/pdf_files/06-05.pdf |date=June 18, 2016 }}." [[West Virginia University]]. Retrieved August 4, 2006. {{SSRN|986362}}</ref>
* In 2006, American newspaper columnist [[George Will]] named Wal-Mart "the most prodigious job-creator in the history of the private sector in this galaxy" and that "[b]y lowering consumer prices, Wal-Mart costs about 50 retail jobs among competitors ''for every 100 jobs Wal-Mart creates''". In terms of economic effects, Will states that "Wal-Mart and its effects save shoppers more than {{US$|200{{nbsp}}billion}} a year, dwarfing such government programs as [[Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program|food stamps]] ({{US$|28.6{{nbsp}}billion}}) and the [[earned income tax credit]] {{US$|34.6{{nbsp}}billion}})".<ref>{{cite news |last = Will |first = George |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/13/AR2006091301573.html |title = Democrats Vs. Wal-Mart |work = The Washington Post |date = September 14, 2006 |authorlink = George Will |archivedate = November 25, 2012 |archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/6CQnqR0lz?url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/13/AR2006091301573.html }}</ref>
* A 2014 story in ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that the Wal-Mart Foundation was boosting its efforts to work with U.S. manufacturers. In February 2014, the Walmart Foundation pledged {{US$|10{{nbsp}}billion}} to support domestic manufacturers and announced plans to buy {{US$|250{{nbsp}}billion}} worth of American-made products in the next decade.<ref>{{cite news |author = D G McCullough |url = https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/made-in-the-usa-sustainable-manufacture |title = Is 'made in the USA' really the most sustainable way to manufacture? |work = The Guardian |date = |accessdate = April 24, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150626214945/http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/made-in-the-usa-sustainable-manufacture |archivedate = June 26, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
== Labor relations ==
[[File:Wal-Mart Workers and Wal-Mart-Free NYC at Occupy Wall Street.vorb.oga|thumb|right|Workers speak during [[Occupy Wall Street]]]]
With over 2.3 Million employees worldwide, Walmart has faced a torrent of lawsuits and issues with regards to its workforce. These issues involve [[wage|low wages]], [[Occupational safety and health|poor working conditions]], inadequate [[health care]], and issues involving the company's strong [[trade union|anti-union]] policies. In November 2013, the [[National Labor Relations Board]] (NLRB) announced that it had found that in 13{{nbsp}}U.S. states Wal-Mart had pressured employees not to engage in strikes on Black Friday, and had illegally disciplined workers who had engaged in strikes.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-nlrb-walmart-20131119,0,1499317.story#axzz2lfbzVSap |title = Fully staffed NLRB investigates complaints against Wal-Mart |first = Alana |last = Semuels |work = |publisher = latimes.com |accessdate = November 26, 2013 |date = November 19, 2013 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131126221724/http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-nlrb-walmart-20131119,0,1499317.story#axzz2lfbzVSap |archivedate = November 26, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Critics point to Walmart's high [[Turnover (employment)|turnover]] rate as evidence of an unhappy workforce, although other factors may be involved. Approximately 70{{nbsp}}percent of its employees leave within the first year.<ref name="Store Wars">{{cite web |url = https://www.pbs.org/itvs/storewars/stores3.html |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070219083544/http://www.pbs.org/itvs/storewars/stores3.html |archivedate = February 19, 2007 |title = Store Wars: When Wal-Mart Comes to Town |publisher = PBS |accessdate = February 28, 2016 }}</ref> Despite this turnover rate, the company is still able to affect unemployment rates. This was found in a study by Oklahoma State University which states, "Walmart is found to have substantially lowered the relative unemployment rates of blacks in those counties where it is present, but to have had only a limited impact on relative incomes after the influences of other socio-economic variables were taken into account."<ref>Keil, Stanley R., Spector, Lee C. ''The Impact of Walmart on Income and Unemployment Differentials in Alabama.'' Review of Regional Studies; Winter 2005, Vol. 35 Issue 3, p336-355, 20p.</ref>
Walmart is the largest private employer in the United States, employing almost five times as many people as [[IBM]], the second-largest employer.<ref>[http://www.statisticbrain.com/u-s-largest-employers/ U.S. Largest Employers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210023938/http://www.statisticbrain.com/u-s-largest-employers |date=February 10, 2016 }}. Retrieved: August 5, 2013.</ref> Walmart employs more [[African Americans]] than any other private employer in the United States.<ref name=NYT4115>{{cite news |author1 = Hiroko Tabuchi and Michael Barbaro |title = Walmart Emerges as Unlikely Social Force |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/02/business/walmart-emerges-as-unlikely-social-force.html |accessdate = April 2, 2015 |work = The New York Times |date = April 1, 2015 |quote = the nation's largest private sector employer of African-American workers. |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155327/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/02/business/walmart-emerges-as-unlikely-social-force.html |archivedate = April 2, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
=== Gender ===
In 2007, a [[Discrimination|gender discrimination]] lawsuit, ''[[Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.]]'', was filed against Walmart, alleging that female employees were discriminated against in matters regarding pay and promotions. A [[class action]] suit was sought, which would have been the nation's largest in history, covering 1.5{{nbsp}}million past and current employees.<ref name="Greenhouse 07">{{cite news |title = Court approves class-action suit against Wal-Mart |last1 = Greenhouse |first1 = Steven |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/business/07bias.html |newspaper = The New York Times |date = February 7, 2007 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150605041701/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/business/07bias.html |archivedate = June 5, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> On June 20, 2011, the [[Supreme Court of the United States|United States Supreme Court]] ruled in Wal-Mart's favor, stating that the plaintiffs did not have enough in common to constitute a class.<ref name="SCOTUS_Walmart">{{cite news |title = Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Petitioner v. Betty Dukes et al. |url = https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/10-277.pdf |accessdate = June 21, 2011 |newspaper = [[Supreme Court of the United States|United States Supreme Court]] |date = June 20, 2011 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110621230523/http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/10-277.pdf |archivedate = June 21, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The court ruled unanimously that because of the variability of the plaintiffs' circumstances, the class action could not proceed as presented, and furthermore, in a 5{{ndash}}4 decision that it could not proceed as any kind of class action suit.<ref name="Lennard_Natasha">{{cite news |last = Lennard |first = Natasha |title = The Supreme Court sides with Wal-Mart |url = http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2011/06/20/supreme_court_sides_with_wal_mart/ |accessdate = June 21, 2011 |newspaper = [[Salon (website)|Salon]] |date = June 20, 2011 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110621171105/http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2011/06/20/supreme_court_sides_with_wal_mart |archivedate = June 21, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Several plaintiffs, including the lead plaintiff, Betty Dukes, expressed their intent to file individual discrimination lawsuits separately.<ref name="Clifford_Stephanie">{{cite news |last = Clifford |first = Stephanie |title = Despite Setback, Plaintiffs to Pursue Wal-Mart Cases |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/21/business/21walmart.html |accessdate = June 21, 2011 |newspaper = The New York Times |date = June 20, 2011 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110624070249/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/21/business/21walmart.html |archivedate = June 24, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref>
According to a consultant hired by plaintiffs in a sex discrimination lawsuit, in 2001, Wal-Mart's [[Equal Employment Opportunity Commission]] filings showed that female employees made up 65 percent of Wal-Mart's hourly paid workforce, but only 33{{nbsp}}percent of its management.<ref name="Conlin 01">{{cite news |title = Is Wal-Mart hostile to women? |last1 = Conlin |first1 = Michelle |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2001-07-15/is-wal-mart-hostile-to-women |magazine = Bloomberg |date = July 16, 2001 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306080220/http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2001-07-15/is-wal-mart-hostile-to-women |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="zellner">{{cite news |title = No way to treat a lady? |last1 = Zellner |first1 = Wendy |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2003-02-20/no-way-to-treat-a-lady |magazine = Bloomberg |date = March 3, 2003 |accessdate = February 28, 2016 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306075839/http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2003-02-20/no-way-to-treat-a-lady |archivedate = March 6, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Just 35{{nbsp}}percent of its store managers were women, compared to 57 percent at similar retailers.<ref name="zellner" /> Wal-Mart says comparisons with other retailers are unfair, because it classifies employees differently; if department managers were included in the totals, women would make up 60{{nbsp}}percent of the managerial ranks.<ref name="zellner" /> Others have criticized the lawsuit as without basis in the law and as an abuse of the class action mechanism.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.city-journal.org/html/eon_06_24_04sm.html |title = The Tort Plague Hits Wal-Mart |last = Malanga |first = Steven |work = [[City Journal (New York)|City Journal]] |accessdate = February 23, 2009 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090421075052/http://www.city-journal.org/html/eon_06_24_04sm.html |archivedate = April 21, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/regv30n2/v30n2-6.pdf |title = The Anti- Constitutional Culture of Class Action Law |last = Moller |first = Mark |date = Summer 2007 |work = [[Regulation (magazine)|Regulation]] |format = PDF |pages = 50–58 |accessdate = March 12, 2009 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090312233035/http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/regv30n2/v30n2-6.pdf |archivedate = March 12, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113659795209840464.html?mod=opinion&ojcontent=otep |title = Willie Sutton Was a Piker |last = Dreiband |first = Eric S. |date = January 7, 2006 |work = The Wall Street Journal |accessdate = March 12, 2009 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090623111355/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113659795209840464.html?mod=opinion&ojcontent=otep |archivedate = June 23, 2009 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2007, Wal-Mart was named by the National Association for Female Executives as one of the top{{nbsp}}35 companies for executive women.<ref>{{cite press release |title = Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Recognized As Top Company For Executive Women by the National Association For Female Executives |date = April 3, 2007 |publisher = Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. }}</ref>
=== Sexual orientation and gender identity ===
In the [[Human Rights Campaign]]'s (HRC) 2002 [[Corporate Equality Index]], a measure of how companies treat [[LGBT]] employees and customers, gave Walmart Stores Inc. a score of 14%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/CorporateEqualityIndex_2002.pdf?_ga=2.49340005.2131199168.1520940955-1798760037.1512127430|title=2002 Corporate Equality Index|publisher=}}</ref> By 2017, HRC's 2017 Corporate Equality Index gave Walmart Stores Inc. a score of a 100%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/CEI-2017-Final.pdf?_ga=2.11745527.2131199168.1520940955-1798760037.1512127430|title=2017 Corporate Equality Index|publisher=}}</ref> In 2003, Walmart added sexual orientation to their antidiscrimination policy.<ref>{{cite news |author = Kershaw, Sarah |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/02/us/wal-mart-sets-a-new-policy-that-protects-gay-workers.html |title = Wal-Mart Sets a New Policy That Protects Gay Workers |work = The New York Times |date = July 2, 2003 |accessdate = October 1, 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120617024456/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/02/us/wal-mart-sets-a-new-policy-that-protects-gay-workers.html |archivedate = June 17, 2012 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2005, Walmart's definition of family began including [[Same-sex marriage|same-sex partners]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Press_Room&CONTENTID=24994&TEMPLATE=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm |title = HRC Applauds Wal-Mart's Inclusive Family Policy (press release) |publisher = ''[[Human Rights Campaign]]'' |date = January 27, 2005 |accessdate = October 1, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015532/http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Press_Room&CONTENTID=24994&TEMPLATE=%2FContentManagement%2FContentDisplay.cfm |archivedate = September 30, 2007 |df = }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Get_Informed2&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=33909 |title = Corporate Equality Index |publisher = Human Rights Campaign |year = 2006 |accessdate = November 2, 2006 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20061006104644/http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Get_Informed2&Template=%2FContentManagement%2FContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=33909 |archivedate = October 6, 2006 |df = }}</ref><ref name=EqualityIndex16>{{cite web |url = http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com//files/assets/resources/CEI-2016-FullReport.pdf |title = Corporate Equality Index 2016: Rating American Workplaces on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality |publisher = Human Rights Campaign |location = |page = 69 |type = PDF |access-date = December 25, 2015 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20151227150010/http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com//files/assets/resources/CEI-2016-FullReport.pdf |archivedate = December 27, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2006, Walmart announced that "diversity efforts include new groups of minority, female and [[gay]] employees that meet at Walmart headquarters in Bentonville to advise the company on marketing and internal promotion. There are seven business resource groups: women, [[African Americans]], [[Hispanic]]s, [[Asian people|Asians]], [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]], gays and [[lesbian]]s, and a [[Disability|disabled]] group."<ref>{{cite web |url = http://nlpc.org/sites/default/files/Walmart_SR.pdf |title = Wal-Mart Embraces Controversial Causes |publisher = [[National Legal and Policy Center]] |accessdate = December 7, 2012 |author = Carlisle, John |page = 23 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130117025431/http://nlpc.org/sites/default/files/Walmart_SR.pdf |archivedate = January 17, 2013 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> From 2006 to 2008, Walmart was member of the [[National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce]].<ref name="Walmart's remarkable gay rights journey" /> In 2011, Walmart added [[gender identity]] to their antidiscrimination policy.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.advocate.com/politics/2016/8/31/why-walmart-became-lgbt-friendly |title = Why Walmart Became LGBT-Friendly |date = August 31, 2016 |publisher = |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160903001537/http://www.advocate.com/politics/2016/8/31/why-walmart-became-lgbt-friendly |archivedate = September 3, 2016 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart's anti-discrimination policies allow associates to use restroom facilities that corresponds with their gender identity and [[gender expression]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yourstephenvilletx.com/article/20120717/News/307179884|title=Company bathroom policy causes stink|first=AMANDA KIMBLE|last=amanda.kimble@empiretribune.com|publisher=}}</ref> In 2013, Walmart began offering [[health insurance]] benefits to [[Domestic partnership|domestic partners]].<ref name="Walmart's remarkable gay rights journey">{{cite web|url=https://qz.com/374896/walmarts-remarkable-gay-rights-journey/|title=Walmart's remarkable gay rights journey|first=Matt|last=Phillips|publisher=}}</ref> In 2015, [[Doug McMillon]], CEO of Walmart, issued a statement opposing [[Arkansas HB 1228|House Bill 1228]] and asked Governor [[Asa Hutchinson]] to veto the bill.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.walmart.com/_news_/news-archive/2015/03/31/walmart-statement-on-arkansas-house-bill-1228|title=Walmart Statement on Arkansas House Bill 1228|website=corporate.walmart.com}}</ref> In 2016, Walmart added full healthcare benefits to its transgender employees.<ref>[http://www.gayrva.com/news-views/wal-mart-adds-full-healthcare-benefits-for-transgender-employees/ Walmart adds full healthcare benefits for transgender employees]</ref>
== Criticism and controversies ==
{{Main|Criticism of Walmart}}
Walmart has been subject to criticism from various groups and individuals, including [[labor union]]s, community groups, [[grassroots]] organizations, religious organizations, environmental groups, and the company's own customers and employees. They have protested against the company's policies and business practices, including charges of racial and gender discrimination.<ref name="mkabel">Kabel, Marcus. "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/18/AR2006071800981.html Wal-Mart, Critics Slam Each Other on Web] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525061530/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/18/AR2006071800981.html |date=May 25, 2017 }}". ''The Washington Post''. July 18, 2006. Retrieved July 31, 2006.</ref><ref>Sellers, Jeff M. (April 22, 2005). "[http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/116/52.0.html Women Against Wal-Mart] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121092201/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/116/52.0.html |date=November 21, 2008 }}". ''Christianity Today''. Retrieved July 31, 2006.</ref><ref>Sellers, Jeff M. (April 22, 2005). "[http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/005/17.40.html Deliver Us from Wal-Mart?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013214512/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/005/17.40.html |date=October 13, 2008 }}". ''Christianity Today''. Retrieved July 31, 2006.</ref> Other areas of criticism include the company's foreign product sourcing, treatment of suppliers, employee compensation and working conditions, environmental practices, [[corporate welfare|the use of public subsidies]], [[Labor spies#Wal-Mart surveillance of employees|the company's security policies]], and [[slavery]].<ref>[[Al Norman|Norman, Al]] (2004). ''The Case Against Wal-Mart''. Raphel Marketing, p. 7. {{ISBN|0-9711542-3-6}}.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jun/10/supermarket-prawns-thailand-produced-slave-labour |title = Revealed: Asian slave labour producing prawns for supermarkets in US, UK |last = Hodal |first = Kate |author2 = Chris Kelly |author3 = Felicity Lawrence |date = June 10, 2014 |publisher = The Guardian |quote = Charoen Pokphand (CP) Foods, buys fishmeal, which it feeds to its farmed prawns, from some suppliers that own, operate or buy from fishing boats manned with slaves. … CP Foods admits that slave labour is part of its supply chain. |accessdate = June 11, 2014 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140611032723/http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jun/10/supermarket-prawns-thailand-produced-slave-labour |archivedate = June 11, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Walmart denies doing anything wrong and maintains that low prices are the result of efficiency.<ref>Copeland, Larry. (March 13, 2006). "[https://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/2006-03-15-young-walmart-usat_x.htm Wal-Mart's hired advocate takes flak] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905062401/http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/2006-03-15-young-walmart-usat_x.htm |date=September 5, 2012 }}". ''USA Today''. Retrieved July 31, 2006.</ref><ref>Rodino Associates. (October 28, 2003). "[http://www.lacity.org/council/cd13/houscommecdev/cd13houscommecdev239629107_04262005.pdf Final Report on Research for Big Box Retail/Superstore Ordinance]". Los Angeles City Council. Retrieved July 31, 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326214712/http://www.lacity.org/council/cd13/houscommecdev/cd13houscommecdev239629107_04262005.pdf |date=March 26, 2009 }}</ref><ref>Smith, Hedrick. "[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/secrets/shots.html Who Calls the Shots in the Global Economy?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525050919/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/secrets/shots.html |date=May 25, 2017 }}" PBS. Retrieved July 31, 2006.</ref>
In April 2016, Walmart announced that it plans to eliminate eggs from [[battery cage]]s from its supply chain by 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://time.com/4282952/walmart-eggs-cage-free/|title=Walmart Will Sell Completely Cage-Free Eggs by 2025|author=Chan, Melissa|publisher=TIME|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816220136/http://time.com/4282952/walmart-eggs-cage-free/|archivedate=August 16, 2016|deadurl=no|accessdate=August 4, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The decision was particularly important because of Walmart's large [[market share]] and influence on the rest of the industry.<ref name="FortuneEgg">{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2016/04/05/walmart-vow-cage-free-eggs/|title=Walmart Is the Latest Retailer to Make a Cage-Free Egg Vow|author=Kell, John|publisher=Fortune|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703042107/http://fortune.com/2016/04/05/walmart-vow-cage-free-eggs/|archivedate=July 3, 2016|deadurl=no|accessdate=August 4, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="BloombergEgg">{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-05/wal-mart-will-sell-100-cage-free-eggs-by-2025-in-industry-shift|title=Wal-Mart Will Switch to All Cage-Free Eggs by 2025|last=Turner|first=Nick|date=April 5, 2016|website=Bloomberg.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811172221/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-05/wal-mart-will-sell-100-cage-free-eggs-by-2025-in-industry-shift|archivedate=August 11, 2016|deadurl=no|accessdate=August 11, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The move was praised by major [[animal welfare]] groups<ref name="Modern Farmer">{{cite web|url=http://modernfarmer.com/2016/04/walmart-cage-free-eggs/|title=Walmart Vows to Purchase All Eggs from Cage-Free Sources By 2025|author=Amelinckx, Andrew|publisher=Modern Farmer|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817182424/http://modernfarmer.com/2016/04/walmart-cage-free-eggs/|archivedate=August 17, 2016|deadurl=no|accessdate=August 4, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and heralded as an "end of an era" by [[Humane Society of the United States]] President [[Wayne Pacelle]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alternet.org/food/walmarts-decision-switch-cage-free-eggs-signals-end-era-extreme-confinement-hens|title=Walmart's Decision to Switch to Cage-Free Eggs Signals End of Era of Extreme Confinement for Hens|author=Pacelle, Wayne|publisher=AlterNet|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816055654/http://www.alternet.org/food/walmarts-decision-switch-cage-free-eggs-signals-end-era-extreme-confinement-hens|archivedate=August 16, 2016|deadurl=no|accessdate=August 4, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> but a poultry trade group representative expressed skepticism about the decision's impact.<ref name="Modern Farmer" /> Walmart's cage-free eggs will not come from [[free range]] producers, but rather [[factory farming|industrial-scale farms]] where the birds will be allotted between 1 and 1.5 square feet each, a stressful arrangement which can cause [[cannibalism in poultry|cannibalism]].<ref name="FortuneEgg" /><ref name="Modern Farmer" /> Unlike battery cages, the systems Walmart's suppliers will use allow the hens to move around, but relative to battery cages they have higher hen mortality rates and present distinct environmental and worker health problems.<ref name="NYT Gelles">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/17/business/eggs-that-clear-the-cages-but-maybe-not-the-conscience.html?_r=0|title=Eggs That Clear the Cages, but Maybe Not the Conscience|author=Gelles, David|work=The New York Times|accessdate=August 4, 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722092649/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/17/business/eggs-that-clear-the-cages-but-maybe-not-the-conscience.html?_r=0|archivedate=July 22, 2016|deadurl=no|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
In March 2018, Walmart was sued by former Director of Business Development Tri Huynh for claims of reporting misleading e-commerce performance results in favor of the company. Huynh stated the company's move was an attempt to regain lost ground to competitor Amazon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.channelnews.com.au/walmart-sued-for-misleading-e-commerce-results/|title=Walmart Sued For Misleading E-Commerce Results In Fight Against Amazon {{!}} channelnews|website=www.channelnews.com.au|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-20}}</ref>
== See also ==
{{Portal|Arkansas|Business and economics|Companies|United States}}
* [[Lukas Walton]]
* [[Big-box store]]
* [[Criticism of Walmart]]
* "[[Something Wall-Mart This Way Comes]]" – a 2004 episode of [[Comedy Central]]'s ''[[South Park]]''
* [[Wal-Mart camel]] – a bone [[fossil]] of a prehistoric [[camel]] found at a future Wal-Mart store in [[Mesa, Arizona]]
* [[First Tee Open|Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach]] – former name of a golf tournament
* ''[[Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price]]'' – a 2005 documentary film by director [[Robert Greenwald]]
* [[Walmarting]] – a [[neologism]]
* ''[[Why Wal-Mart Works; and Why That Drives Some People C-R-A-Z-Y]]'' – a 2005 rebuttal to the Greenwald documentary
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
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== Further reading ==
* {{cite news |last = Barstow |first = Davie |author-link = David Barstow |date = December 18, 2012 |title = Wal-Mart Abroad |url = https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/business/walmart-bribery-abroad-series.html |newspaper = The New York Times |location = New York |publisher = [[The New York Times Company]] |accessdate = }}
* {{cite book |last = Fishman |first = Charles |year = 2006 |title = The Wal-Mart Effect: How the World's Most Powerful Company Really Works—and How It's Transforming the American Economy |url = http://www.walmarteffectbook.com |location = New York |publisher = [[The Penguin Press]] |isbn = 978-1-59420-076-2 |accessdate = |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150629033142/http://www.walmarteffectbook.com/ |archivedate = June 29, 2015 |df = mdy-all }}
* {{cite journal |last1 = Gereffi |first1 = Gary |last2 = Michelle |first2 = Christian |title = The Impacts of Wal-Mart: The Rise and Consequences of the World's Dominant Retailer |journal = Annual Review of Sociology |date = 2009 |volume = 35 |pages = 573–591 |doi = 10.1146/annurev-soc-070308-115947 |url = http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-soc-070308-115947 }}
* {{cite journal |last1 = Ingram |first1 = Paul |last2 = Yue |first2 = Lori Qingyuan |last3 = Rao |first3 = Hayagreeva |date = July 2010 |title = Trouble in Store: Probes, Protests, and Store Openings by Wal‐Mart, 1998–2007 |jstor = 653596 |journal = [[American Journal of Sociology]] |publisher = [[University of Chicago Press]] |volume = 116 |issue = 1 |pages = 53–92 |doi = 10.1086/653596 |accessdate = }}
* {{cite book |last = Lichtenstein |first = Nelson |year = 2009 |title = The Retail Revolution: How Wal-Mart Created a Brave New World of Business |url = http://us.macmillan.com/theretailrevolution/NelsonLichtenstein |location = New York |publisher = [[Metropolitan Books]] |isbn = 978-0-8050-7966-1 |accessdate = |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131213040851/http://us.macmillan.com/theretailrevolution/NelsonLichtenstein |archive-date = December 13, 2013 |dead-url = yes |df = mdy-all }}
* {{cite book |last1 = Vance |first1 = Sandra Stringer |last2 = Scott |first2 = Roy V. |year = 1997 |title = Wal-Mart: A History of Sam Walton's Retail Phenomenon |url = |location = New York |publisher = [[Twayne Publishers]] |isbn = 978-0-8057-9832-6 |accessdate = }}
* {{cite book |author = Peled, Micha |title = Store Wars: When Wal-Mart Comes to Town |date = 2001 |url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/store-wars-when-walmart-comes-to-town/ }}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|Wal-Mart}}
{{Wikinews|Wal-Mart}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://corporate.walmart.com/ Wal-Mart Stores Corporate Site]
{{Finance links
| name = Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
| symbol = WMT
| sec_cik = 104169
| yahoo = WMT
| google = WMT
| stockrow = WMT
}}
* {{OpenCorp|Walmart}}
{{Wal-Mart}}
{{Dow Jones Industrial Average companies}}
{{Supermarkets of the United States}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Walmart| ]]
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[[Category:American companies established in 1962]]
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[[Category:Companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Discount stores of the United States]]
[[Category:Hypermarkets of the United States]]
[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in the United States]]
[[Category:Online retailers of the United States]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1962]]
[[Category:Supermarkets of China]]
[[Category:Supermarkets of the United States]]
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[[Category:1962 establishments in the United States]]
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