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. Sam Walton's strategy was built on an unshakeable foundation: The Lowest Prices Anytime, Anywhere.
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On July 2, 1962, Sam Walton opened the first Walmart store in Rogers, Ark.
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The Walton family owned 24 stores, ringing up $12.7 million in sales.
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The company officially incorporated as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
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In the 1970s, a decade of incredible growth, "Mr. Sam" began to take Walmart national, proving his vision's widespread appeal.
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The first distribution center and Home Office opened in Bentonville, Ark.
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1972
Walmart was listed on the New York Stock Exchange with 51 stores Walmart recorded sales of $78 million. -
1975
Inspired by a visit to a Korean manufacturing facility, Sam Walton introduced the Walmart cheer. -
Decade of Firsts
In the 1980s, the first Sam's Club opened, serving small businesses and individuals, and the first Walmart Supercenter opened, combining a supermarket with general merchandise. -
1980
Walmart reached $1 billion in annual sales, faster than any other company at that time. -
1988
The first Walmart Supercenter opened in Washington, Mo., combining general merchandise and a full-scale supermarket to provide one-stop shopping convenience. -
2000s New Millennium
Walmart entered the new millennium dedicated to offering customers a seamless shopping experience, whether they are online, in a store or on a mobile device. -
2005
Walmart took a leading role in disaster relief, contributing $18 million and 2,450 truckloads of supplies to victims of hurricanes Katrina -
Doug McMillon succeeded Mike Duke as CEO. The company employs 2.2 million associates worldwide and serves more than 200 million customers each week at more than 11,000 stores in 27 countries.
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2009
Mike Duke became CEO.
Walmart entered Chile with the acquisition of a majority stake in D&S S.A.
For the first time, Walmart exceeded $400 billion in annual sales