Walmart Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Walmart - Research Paper Example Sam had a vision, and together with his wife Helen, they used up almost all of their life savings to put up the first Walmart store. During the early part of the 70’s, Walmart was only able to expand to 15 stores because of lack of capital. So in 1972, Walmart stock was offered on the New York Stock Exchange, this gave the company the capital for expansion. By the end of the decade, the company opened 276 new stores in 11 states. The 80’s was also an eventful decade; it was in 1983 that Walmart introduced Sam’s Club members-warehouse store. Its first Supercenter however did not open until 1988 which already features a complete line of merchandise from grocery to assortments of general merchandise. The 80’s was also a decade of growth. The company continues to steadily grow with 1,402 Walmart stores in total and 123 Sam’s Club locations by 1989. Sales have skyrocketed from $1 billion in 1980 to $26 billion by the end of the decade. Currently, there a re 8,986 Walmart stores in 15 countries around the globe. They employ 2.1 people and are estimate to serve on average, 176 million customers per year. Walmart is a retail company that has not lost sight of its purpose, ad it is this purpose, this vision that have guided them towards their success.