Wal-Mart

Established in 1962 by Sam Walton, Wal-Mart is the largest company in the United States (when ranked by revenue) according to the 2008 Forbes 500 list. Wal-Mart runs a chain of large discount department stores, which are located throughout the country. The company is also the largest U.S. employer, employing nearly 2.1 million people as of 2007.

In July 2008, Wal-Mart held meetings with managers to alert them to the presence of legislation that would make it easier for employees to form unions. Though Wal-Mart says its intentions are ethical, many employees feel they are being told how to vote.^{1 2}

Fast Facts

1. Stock symbol: WMT, NYSE
2. Annual revenue (2007): $378.799 billion U.S.
3. Founder: Sam Walton
4. Year Established: 1962
5. Industry: Retail
6. Phone: 1-479-273-4000
7. Fax: 1-479-273-4053
8. HQ: Bentonville, Arkansas
9. President and CEO: H. Lee Scott Jr.
10. CFO: Thomas M. Schoewe
11. Staff: 2.1 million
12. Other key people: S. Robson Walton, Chairman of the Board

Key Dates

• 1962: First store is opened in Rogers, Arkansas
• 1972: Wal-Mart goes public and lists on the NYSE
• 1975: The company expands to nearly 125 stores across the country
• 1979: Sales reach in excess of $1 billion
• 1993: Randy Mott becomes Chief Information Officer
• 1996: Online stores launched
• 2006: Rollin Ford named CIO

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