“Save Money, Live Better.” A greeter welcomes you into the phenomenal discount store we Americans call Wal-Mart. A one stop shop for just about anything and everything you need, Wal-Mart is a major investment to America: 1) Wal-Mart is one of Americas most leading discount stores 2) Wal-Mart employs many people 3) Wal-Mart sells its products for a lower price, making it more favorable to consumers. In 1962, the first Wal-Mart was founded in Rogers, Arkansas. Its growth and succession has lead to its spread around the world. One man, one vision; Sam Walton’s mission was to save people money to help them live a better quality lifestyle. With its earnings and its improvements, Wal-Mart has played a major role in America’s economy. …show more content…
The first Wal-Mart was found in 1962.
The year the birth of discount retailing began. The chain of variety stores that Sam Walton owned during the 1950’s faced stiff competition from the many regional discount stores. Before the opening of Wal-Mart, Mr. Walton traveled the country studying just about everything about discount retailing. He noticed that American consumers wanted a fresh new type of store. Acting on instinct, Sam and his wife Helen invested about 95 percent of their income into their first Wal-Mart store in Rogers, Arkansas. In 1972, many other discounters expanded, yet Wal-Mart only opened 15 stores. Later, Wal-Mart stock was offered to the New York Stock Exchange. With the infusion of capital, the company then grew to 216 stores in 11 states by the end of the decade. By the year of 1981, there were 1402 Wal-Mart stores. Employment had increased tenfold; sales had grown from 1 billion in 1980, to 26 billion. Today, 8416 stores and club locations have been opened. Wal-Mart employs more than 2.1 million associates, serving more than 176 million customers a year. Wal-Mart is a perfect example of how to manage growth without losing sight of your
values.
America’s most popular discount store, Wally’s World beats all saving stores that promise you some sort of discount. Sam Walton quotes “If we work together, we’ll lower the cost of living for everyone…we’ll give the world an opportunity to see what it’s like to save and have a better life.” In the past 40 years, Wal-Mart has opened 16 markets worldwide. Wal-Mart works with their suppliers to introduce more energy efficient products that can save money for customers’ money for years to come. Wal-Mart saves us as consumers’ money, to improve our way of living. Wal-Mart has teamed up with Mercy Corps and USAID to help small farmers in Guatemala, that’s why you see the Fair Trade Coffee on shelves at Sam’s Club. By collaborating with their communities and suppliers, Wal-Mart helps improve the lives of others.
Wal-Mart has a major impact on America’s economy. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity, Wal-Mart has ranked number one among retailers in Fortune Magazine’s 2009 Most Admired Companies. Since 2005, Wal-Mart stores have averaged a net sale of 342.14 billion dollars. Wal-Mart Stores cash flow gas increased 5943 million dollars from Jan, 31 2008- Jan, 31 2009. For the past five years, Wal-Mart has been excelling in their business. Now, more than ever, Wal-Mart is there for their customers. There has been a strong growth; net sales have increased 6.8 percent to 255.7 billion. Segment operating income has also increased 7.1 percent to 18.8 billion. Wal-Mart has introduced the Project Impact store remodeling plan, under this plan, Wal-Mart expects to update 700 new and existing stores this year, with over 3600 stores in the United States. Walmarts main goal is to save consumers money to improve the quality of their lives. I can definitely say that Wal-Mart is a positive for America. A discount store opened up in Arkansas, now only 40 years later, a major corporation. Wal-Mart helps people, its philanthropic ways have encouraged the store to help others outside the circle of consumers. Economically, Wal-Mart has increased and improved. Who knew one man with a vision could encourage so much growth. Wal-Mart is indeed, good for America.