Overview
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is an American multinational retailer corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company founded by Sam Walton in 1962, incorporated on October 31, 1969, and publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 1972 is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. Wal-Mart is also the largest grocery retailer in the United States.
Wal-Mart has 8,500 stores in 15 countries, under 55 different names. The company operates under its own name in the United States, including the 50 states and Puerto Rico. It operates in Mexico as Walmex, in the United Kingdom as Asda, in Japan as Seiyu, and in India as Best Price. It has wholly owned operations in Argentina, Brazil, and Canada. Wal-Mart's investments outside North America have had mixed results: its operations in the United Kingdom, South America and China are highly successful, whereas ventures in Germany and South Korea were unsuccessful (Zimmerman, 2010).
Wal-Mart's operations are organized into three divisions: Wal-Mart Stores U.S., Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart International. Wal-Mart stores come in one of three traditional formats: Supercenters average about 185,000 square feet in size and carry general merchandise and include a supermarket. Discount stores average approximately 108,000 square feet in size and carry a wide assortment of general. Neighborhood stores are usually about 42,000 square feet in size and carry a limited assortment of general merchandise, but have a full supermarket. Sam’s Club provides goods for stores, restaurants, offices, daycares and schools, and motels. Sam’s Club management remains focused on a growing foundation and improving its relationships with small business owners. To this end, the company has expanded its offerings of office furniture and restaurant supplies. Wal-Mart operates international