Walmart Inc.
Walmart Inc. is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. Headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, the company was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 and incorporated on October 31, 1969. It operates under the name Walmart in the United States and Canada, with stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and in all 10 Canadian provinces. In international markets, Walmart operates under several other names, including Asda in the United Kingdom, Walmex in Mexico, Seiyu in Japan, and Best Price in India.
The company operates in four business segments, Walmart U.S., Walmart International, Sam’s Club, and Global eCommerce. The Walmart U.S. segment includes the company’s operations in the United States, including Puerto Rico and U.S. military bases, with more than 5,300 stores and clubs. The Walmart International segment includes operations in countries outside the U.S., such as Mexico, Canada, India, the UK, and Japan. The Sam’s Club segment includes the company’s membership-only warehouse clubs, with 658 clubs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The Global eCommerce segment includes online retail operations and digital capabilities such as mobile applications and Walmart.com.
Walmart is the world’s largest brick-and-mortar retailer. As of 2021, the Fortune Global 500 company has more than 11,360 stores and clubs in 28 countries, under 77 different banners. It is the largest private employer in the world, with 2.3 million employees. Walmart also operates ecommerce websites in 11 countries, with annual revenue in 2018 of $515.4 billion.
Walmart is committed to helping people save money so they can live better. As a result, the company has initiatives to reduce environmental impact and empower women, promote diversity and inclusion through talent development and hiring, attract top talent, and support the communities in which its stores operate. The company supports efforts to fight hunger, create economic opportunity, and build strong communities. Additionally, it encourages suppliers and associates to join its journey towards sustainability, and is setting a goal to be supplied 100% by renewable energy by 2035. Walmart is also striving to be a company of the future, with a focus on digital transformation.
Through its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, Walmart strives to be a leader in corporate responsibility. It has invested in major renewable energy projects and initiatives, such as the launch of Walmart’s Project Gigaton, which is an initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chain. It has also invested in several green initiatives to reduce waste, save energy, and support local communities. Other efforts include the company’s commitment to reduce U.S. waste by 25% by 2025 and its focus on organic, Fair Trade, and shade-grown coffee. In addition, Walmart has worked to increase diversity on its board of directors and in its management ranks.
Walmart is an example of a successful business that is committed to making a positive impact on the world. The company’s values, commitments, and dedication to social responsibility and sustainability position it as a leader in corporate responsibility and a model for other companies.
