The Business Structure of

Walmart

Lisa Herr,
Sarah Gottfried,
Ryan Strickler,
Jen Byrne,
Rachael Stine

Wal-Mart History

Founder: Sam Walton

Sam

Walton was born in Kingfish, Oklahoma

on March 29, 1918.
In 1940, he started his business career by
opening the first Ben Franklin franchises in
Arkansas.

Wal-Mart History Timeline

1960-1970
In

1962, Sam Walton opened the first WalMart in Rogers, Arkansas

1969, company became an incorporated
company

Wal-Mart Timeline
1970-1980

In 1970, Wal-Mart opened its first distribution center

and home office in Bentonville, Arkansas
In 1972, Wal-Mart was approved and listed on the
New York Stock Exchange
In 1978, the first pharmacy, auto service, and jewelry
divisions were introduced in the Wal-Mart stores
In 1979, Wal-Mart had its first billion dollar year in
sales totaling $1,248,000,000

Wal-Mart History Timeline

1980-1990
In

1983, the first photo lab was introduced in

Tulsa, Oklahoma
In 1985, Wal-Mart received stock on the
Pacific Stock Exchange
In 1988, the first Supercenter opened in
Washington, Missouri

Wal-Mart Timeline
1990-1995
In

1990, Wal-Mart became the number 1

retailer in the nation
In 1991, Wal-Mart entered the international
market opening a Club Aurrera in Mexico City
In 1992, the first Wal-Mart store opened in
Puerto Rico
In December on 1993, Wal-Mart reached its
first billion dollar sales in one week

Wal-Mart History Timeline

1995-2000

In 1996, Wal-Mart was listed on the Toronto Stock

Exchange
Also, Through joint venture agreements, Wal-Marts were
established in Korea and China
In 1997, Wal-Mart became the number one employer with
680,000 associates
Also, Wal-Mart had its first $100 billion dollar sales in one
year with total sales of $105,000,000,000
In 1998, Wal-Mart moved into Germany
Also, over $100 million dollars was given in annual
charitable contributions totaling $102,000,000

Stock Splits

Wal-Mart has had 11 100% stock splits, which has help their
economics manically

First split was in 1971 at $47

Second in 1972 at &47.50
Third in 1975 at $23
Fourth in 1980 at $50
Fifth in 1982 at $49.875
Sixth in 1983 at $81.625
Seventh in 1985 at $49.75
Eighth in 1987 at $66.625
Ninth in 1990 at $62.50
Tenth in 1993 at $63.625
Eleventh in 1999 at $95

Walmarts Mission Statement

A National Mission Statement

The

founder, Sam Walton, believed in

servant-leadership.
Their mission is to serve our Associates and
customers with compassion and integrity.
Our emphasis is on our Associates, children,
families, the local community and other local
programs that improve the quality of life in
our communities.

Walmarts Philosophy
The

Wal-Mart Good. Works. community

involvement program is based on the
philosophy of operating globally and giving
back locally.
In our experience, we can make a the
greatest impact on communities by
supporting issues and causes that are
important to our customers and associates in
their own neighborhoods.

Walmarts Philosophy Cont.

Walmart

relies on its associates to know

which organizations are the most important
in their home-town; therefore having say in
where Wal-Mart Foundation dollars will be
spent
Consequently, our funding initiatives are
channeled directly into local communities by
associates who live there.

Programs Walmart Funds

Community

Grants*

Education
Military

Support
Disaster Relief
Literacy
The World of Medicine
Child Safety and Missing Children
Volunteerism Always Pays

A Global Missions Statement

Wal-Mart

released a revised Global Ethics to

communicate their ethical standards to all WalMart facilities and stakeholders:
Following the law at all times
Be honest and fair
Never manipulate, misrepresent, abuse or
conceal information
Avoid conflicts of interest between work and
personal affairs

Global Missions continued

Never discriminate against anyone

Never act unethically
Never ask someone to act unethically
Seek assistance if you have questions about the
Statement of Ethics or if you face dilemma
Cooperate with any investigation of a possible ethics
violation
Report ethics violations or suspected violations

Research: The effect Walmart has

on small businesses

Interview for Small Businesses

1. How long have you been in business?
2. How close are you to Walmart?
3. What is your mission statement?
4. Has your mission statement changed since Walmart came in?
5. Has your yearly profit increased or decreased since Walmart
has moved in?
% of increase or decrease (3 years before & 3 years after)
6. Did you have to change your layout, product, or advertising?
7. Did you have to lower your prices in order to stay competitive
in the market?
8. Did you have to cut back on the number of employees,
wages, and benefits?
9. Did your product change at all (quality, supplier)?

What Would We Change

Interview

businesses at further distance from

Walmart

Even in cities/towns where a Walmart is not

present

Interview

businesses that have failed

How our research connects to CVGC

Walmart

resembles a capitalistic structure.

Discourages the simple life by encouraging a
life of consumerism.
Doesnt function as a member of a global
community by isolating itself.