Who Is Sam Walton?

It all began with Sam Walton. In summary, envisioned with the ideas “of offering lower prices and great service” Sam opened Walton’s nickel-and-dime variety store in rural Bentonville, Arkansas in 1950; by 1960, he owned 15 stores (“Our History”). Seeking more profits, Walton then took up a new strategy: build big stores in small towns, discount everything, and sell in high volume (“Sam Walton”); thereafter, he opened his first Wal-Mart store in 1962 (“Our History”). By 1992 – after taking the company public in 1970 – Wal-mart achieved one of its missions: it became the number one retailer in the U.S., operating in 1,928 stores.