Full History Of Walmart In Timeline From 1945

1945: Sam Walton Buys Ben Franklin Store

In 1945, Sam Walton purchased a Ben Franklin store branch from the Butler Brothers, focusing on low prices and high-volume sales. This marked the beginning of his retail career.

1954: Inspiration from FedMart

In 1954, Sol Price founded FedMart, a chain of discount department stores. Walton admired Sol Price and stated that he liked the idea of calling his discount chain "Wal-Mart" because he "really liked Sol's FedMart name".

1961: Inspiration from Ann & Hope

In 1961, Sam Walton visited Ann & Hope, which inspired the design of the first Wal-Mart Discount City store.

July 2, 1962: Opening of the First Wal-Mart Discount City

On July 2, 1962, Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart Discount City store at 719 W. Walnut Street in Rogers, Arkansas. This marked the official beginning of the Wal-Mart retail chain.

1962: Walmart Founded

In 1962, brothers Sam and James "Bud" Walton founded Walmart Inc. in Rogers, Arkansas. The company operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores.

1968: First Stores Outside Arkansas

In 1968, Walmart expanded beyond Arkansas and opened its first stores in Sikeston, Missouri and Claremore, Oklahoma.

October 31, 1969: Incorporation as Wal-Mart, Inc.

On October 31, 1969, the company was incorporated under Delaware General Corporation Law as Wal-Mart, Inc.

October 1, 1970: Publicly Held Company and Stock Trading

On October 1, 1970, Wal-Mart began trading stock as a publicly held company. The company was soon listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

1970: Home Office and First Distribution Center Opened

In 1970, Walmart opened a home office and its first distribution center in Bentonville, Arkansas.

May 1971: First Stock Split

In May 1971, Wal-Mart had its first stock split for $47 per share.

1971: Existing headquarters building completed

In 1971, Walmart's existing headquarters building was completed and would be replaced.

1972: Walmart Listed on the New York Stock Exchange

Walmart was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1972, marking a significant milestone in its corporate history.

1973: Expansion into Tennessee

In 1973, Wal-Mart expanded its operations into the state of Tennessee.

1974: Expansion into Kentucky and Mississippi

In 1974, Wal-Mart continued its expansion by entering Kentucky and Mississippi.

1975: Wal-Mart Moves into Texas

In 1975, Wal-Mart expanded into Texas, reaching 125 stores with 7,500 employees and $340.3 million in total sales.

1980: Experimentation with Hyper-Mart

In the 1980s, Wal-Mart briefly experimented with Hyper-Mart, a precursor to the Supercenter, combining features of discount stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, video arcades, and other amenities.

1983: First Sam's Club Opens

In 1983, the first Sam's Club, named "Sam's Wholesale Club", was opened by Walmart, Inc. in Midwest City, Oklahoma. The chain was named after its founder Sam Walton.

1984: Sourcing Products from China

By 1984, Sam Walton had started sourcing between 6% and 40% of his company's products from China.

1985: Hillary Clinton joins Walmart's board

In 1985, Hillary Clinton joined Walmart's board of directors.

1987: 25th Anniversary and Expansion

By the company's 25th anniversary in 1987, Walmart had grown to include 1,198 stores with $15.9 billion in sales and 200,000 associates.

1987: Completion of Satellite Network

In 1987, Walmart completed its $24 million satellite network, connecting all stores with two-way voice and data transmissions and one-way video communications with the Bentonville office.

1988: Walmart Becomes Most Profitable Retailer in the U.S.

By 1988, Walmart had risen to become the most profitable retailer in the United States.

1988: Walton Steps Down as CEO

In 1988, Sam Walton stepped down as CEO and was replaced by David Glass. However, Walton remained as chairman of the board. The first Wal-Mart Supercenter also opened in Washington, Missouri, during this year.

1988: Advertising Slogan Since 1988

The advertising slogan "Always Low Prices, Always" had been used since 1988, and was replaced on September 12, 2007 with the new slogan "Save money. Live better.".

1988: First Supercenter Opened

The first Walmart Supercenter opened in Washington, Missouri, in 1988.

October 1989: Walmart Becomes Largest Retailer by Revenue

By October 1989, Walmart had achieved the position of the largest retailer in the U.S. in terms of revenue.

November 1989: Sam's Club Opens in New Jersey

In November 1989, Sam's Club expanded its reach by opening a location in New Jersey.

1989: Net increase in employment in a study of West Virginia counties

A net increase in employment (55 jobs) was found in a study of West Virginia counties between 1989 and 1998.

July 1990: First California Outlet Opens in Lancaster

In July 1990, Walmart opened its first California outlet in Lancaster, expanding its presence to the West Coast.

October 1990: First Main Store Opens in the Northeast

In October 1990, Walmart opened its first main store in the Northeast, located in York, Pennsylvania.

1990: Largest U.S. Retailer by Revenue

By 1990, Walmart became the largest U.S. retailer by revenue, surpassing competitors like Kmart and Sears.

1990: First Bud's Discount City Location Opened

In 1990, Walmart opened its first Bud's Discount City location in Bentonville, operating as a closeout store similar to Big Lots.

1990: First Stores in California and Pennsylvania

In 1990, Walmart opened its first stores in California and Pennsylvania, expanding its presence to the West Coast and Northeast.

1991: Launch of Sam's Choice

In 1991, Walmart began offering private label brands with the launch of Sam's Choice, a line of drinks produced by Primo Water for Walmart.

1991: Expansion into Mexico

In 1991, Walmart expanded its operations internationally by opening stores in Mexico.

1991: First International Store Opened

Walmart opened its first international store in Mexico in 1991.

1992: Don Soderquist becomes "Keeper of the Culture"

After Sam Walton's death in 1992, Don Soderquist, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice Chairman, became known as the "Keeper of the Culture".

1992: Hillary Clinton leaves Walmart's board

Before the 1992 U.S. presidential election, Hillary Clinton left Walmart's board of directors.

1992: Sam Walton's Death

Since Sam Walton's death in 1992, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation dramatically increased charitable giving.

1993: Sam's Choice becomes third-most-popular beverage brand

By 1993, Sam's Choice quickly became popular and became the third-most-popular beverage brand in the United States.

1993: Walmart Stopped Selling Handguns

In 1993, Walmart stopped selling handguns in all U.S. states, except for Alaska.

January 14, 1994: Walmart Acquisition of Woolco Division

On January 14, 1994, Walmart expanded into Canada by acquiring 122 stores from the Woolco division of Woolworth Canada, Inc.

1994: Expansion into Canada

In 1994, Walmart continued its international expansion by opening stores in Canada.

1995: Expansion into South America

In 1995, Walmart expanded into South America with stores in Argentina and Brazil.

1995: Store Opens in Vermont

In 1995, Walmart stores opened throughout the rest of the U.S., with Vermont being the last state to get a store.

1995: Start of Period Analyzed in McKinsey Productivity Study

The McKinsey Global Institute study analyzed U.S. labor productivity growth between 1995 and 2000, noting Walmart's significant impact during this period.

1996: Peak Number of Walmart Discount Stores

In 1996, there were 1,995 Walmart Discount Stores at its peak.

1997: Bud's Discount City Stores Closed or Converted

By 1997, all of the Bud's Discount City stores had closed or been converted into Walmart Discount Stores.

1997: Walmart enters the German food market

In 1997, Walmart entered the German food market.

1997: Walmart Acquires Wertkauf

In 1997, Walmart expanded into Germany by acquiring supermarket chain Wertkauf with its 21 stores for DM750 million.

1997: Walmart Enters Indonesia

In 1997, Walmart expanded into Indonesia by opening stores in Lippo Supermall and Megamall Pluit through a joint venture with Lippo Group, but these stores later closed due to the Asian financial crisis.

1997: Added to Dow Jones Industrial Average

In 1997, Walmart was added to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, a significant recognition of its market influence.

1997: Walmart store opening and the effect on small towns.

Kenneth Stone, Professor of Economics at Iowa State University, in a paper published in Farm Foundation in 1997, found that some small towns can lose almost half of their retail trade within ten years of a Walmart store opening.

1998: Net increase in employment in a study of West Virginia counties

A net increase in employment (55 jobs) was found in a study of West Virginia counties between 1989 and 1998.

1998: Walmart enters the South Korean market

In 1998, Walmart entered the South Korean market.

1998: Introduction of Neighborhood Market Concept

In 1998, Walmart introduced the Neighborhood Market concept with three stores in Arkansas, diversifying its retail formats.

1998: Surpassing Toys "R" Us in Toy Sales

In 1998, Walmart surpassed Toys "R" Us in toy sales, largely due to the contribution of its superstores.

July 1999: Entry into Europe

In July 1999, Walmart entered the European market by buying Asda in the United Kingdom for US$10 billion.

2000: Walmart listed on Forbes Global 2000

According to the Forbes Global 2000 list, Walmart is the world's 23rd-largest public corporation as of 2000, and the largest public corporation when ranked by revenue.

2000: Walmart's entry into new areas lowers local food prices

Between 2000 and 2010, Walmart's entry into new areas often lowered local food prices at other stores.

2000: H. Lee Scott Becomes President and CEO

In 2000, H. Lee Scott became Walmart's president and CEO, coinciding with an increase in sales to $165 billion.

2000: Lee Scott Becomes CEO and Initiates Cost-Cutting

In 2000, Lee Scott became CEO of Walmart and began implementing aggressive cost-cutting measures that would eventually lead to an increase in crime at the stores. These measures included the removal of store greeters and replacement of cashiers with self-checkout stations.

2000: Expansion Success

One reason for Wal-Mart's success between 1980 and 2000 is believed to be its contiguous pattern of expansion over time, building new distribution centers in a hub and spoke framework within driving distance of existing Supercenters.

2000: End of Period Analyzed in McKinsey Productivity Study

The McKinsey Global Institute study analyzed U.S. labor productivity growth between 1995 and 2000, highlighting Walmart's transformative use of information technology and supply-chain management during this time.

2001: Disparity in Female Representation in Management at Wal-Mart

According to a consultant hired by plaintiffs in a sex discrimination lawsuit, in 2001, Wal-Mart's filings showed that female employees made up 65 percent of Wal-Mart's hourly paid workforce, but only 33 percent of its management.

2001: McKinsey Study on Walmart's Impact on U.S. Labor Productivity

In 2001, a McKinsey Global Institute study concluded that Walmart directly and indirectly caused the bulk of the productivity acceleration in general merchandise between 1995 and 2000, representing 16 percent of total productivity growth in the retail sector.

2001: Wal-Mart's Trade Deficit with China

In 2001, according to the Economic Policy Institute, Wal-Mart's trade deficit with China began to contribute to a loss of U.S. jobs.

2002: Walmart Acquired Amigo Supermarkets Chain

In 2002, Walmart acquired the Amigo supermarkets chain in Puerto Rico.

2002: America's Largest Corporation

In 2002, Walmart was listed as America's largest corporation on the Fortune 500 list for the first time, with significant revenues and profits. It maintained this position for most years afterward.

2002: Wal-Mart's Low Score on HRC's Corporate Equality Index

In 2002, the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) Corporate Equality Index gave Wal-Mart Stores Inc. a score of 14%, reflecting concerns about how the company treated LGBT employees and customers.

2003: Tom Coughlin becomes vice chairman

In 2003, Tom Coughlin became vice chairman of Walmart.

2003: Wal-Mart Added Sexual Orientation to Anti-Discrimination Policy

In 2003, Walmart added sexual orientation to their anti-discrimination policy.

2004: Tom Coughlin serves as vice chairman

In 2004, Tom Coughlin served as vice chairman of Walmart.

2004: Walmart Buys Bompreço Supermarket Chain

In 2004, Walmart acquired the 118 stores in the Bompreço supermarket chain in northeastern Brazil, expanding its presence in the country.

2004: Walmart tests dollar store concept

In 2004, Walmart responded to dollar stores by testing its own dollar store concept, a subsection of some stores called "Pennies-n-Cents".

2004: Study Suggests Increased Poverty in Counties with Walmart Stores

In 2004, a paper by Goetz and Swaminathan suggested that U.S. counties with Walmart stores suffered increased poverty compared with counties without Wal-Marts, raising questions about the economic impact of Walmart on local communities.

2004: Political Preference of Walmart Shoppers in 2004

In 2004, a poll indicated that 76 percent of voters who shopped at Walmart weekly reported voting for George W. Bush, while 23 percent supported John Kerry.

2004: Alleged Bribe Paid to Change Zoning Map

In 2004, an alleged bribe of US$52,000 was paid to change a zoning map, enabling the opening of a Walmart store near a historical site in San Juan Teotihuacán, as revealed in a New York Times follow up investigation on December 17, 2012.

2004: Savings Estimate for 2004

The consumer savings estimate from Walmart's price level reduction was $2,329 per household in 2004.

2004: Site-To-Store program testing

Walmart began testing the Site-To-Store program in 2004 on a limited basis.

September 2005: Alleged Bribes Paid by Walmart de Mexico

In September 2005, Walmart de Mexico allegedly paid bribes for construction permits and other favors, as later reported by The New York Times.

September 2005: Response to Hurricane Katrina

In September 2005, following Hurricane Katrina, Walmart utilized its logistics network to provide disaster relief, donating $20 million, 1,500 truckloads of merchandise, and food for 100,000 meals. The company also promised a job for every one of its displaced workers.

November 2005: Environmental Measures Announced

In November 2005, Walmart announced several environmental measures, including increased fuel efficiency in its truck fleet, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced energy use at stores. It also aimed to reduce solid waste and become a "good steward of the environment."

December 2005: Tom Coughlin leaves Walmart after pleading guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion

In December 2005, Tom Coughlin left Walmart after pleading guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Walmart.

2005: Wal-Mart's discounting on food alone boosts the welfare of American shoppers

A 2005 story in The Washington Post reported that "Wal-Mart's discounting on food alone boosts the welfare of American shoppers by at least US$50 billion per year."

2005: Control of Retail Grocery and Consumables Business

By 2005, it was estimated that Walmart controlled approximately 20 percent of the retail grocery and consumables business, highlighting its dominance in the market.

2005: Walmart Donates to Hurricane Katrina Relief

In 2005, Walmart donated US$20 million in cash and merchandise for Hurricane Katrina relief.

2005: Walmart's Global Presence in 2005

In 2005, Walmart reported US$312.4 billion in sales and operated more than 6,200 facilities worldwide, including 3,800 stores in the United States and 2,800 elsewhere. The company employed more than 1.6 million associates.

2005: Wal-Mart's Definition of Family Included Same-Sex Partners

In 2005, Walmart's definition of family began including same-sex partners.

2005: Walmart Takes Control of Sonae Distribution Group

In late 2005, Walmart, through its subsidiary WMS Supermercados do Brasil, took control of the Brazilian operations of Sonae Distribution Group, acquiring the Nacional and Mercadorama supermarket chains.

May 2006: Walmart sells South Korean outlets to Shinsegae

In May 2006, after entering the South Korean market in 1998, Walmart sold all 16 of its South Korean outlets to Shinsegae, a local retailer, for US$882 million.

July 2006: Walmart Announces Withdrawal from Germany

In July 2006, Walmart announced its withdrawal from Germany due to sustained losses, selling its stores to Metro, after facing challenges including intense competition and cultural incompatibility.

September 2006: Pilot Program to Sell Generic Drugs

In September 2006, Walmart announced a pilot program to sell generic drugs at $4 per prescription in the Tampa, Florida area.

November 2006: Joint Venture with Bharti Enterprises

In November 2006, Walmart announced a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises to operate in India, focusing on wholesale and backend operations due to restrictions on foreign corporations in the retail sector.

2006: Walmart's mind-share in shoppers' minds regarding private label brands and retailers

A 2006 study discussed "the magnitude of mind-share Walmart appears to hold in the shoppers' minds when it comes to the awareness of private label brands and retailers".

2006: The impact of opening a Walmart on existing retailers in rural communities

Artz and Stone reported in 2006 that in Mississippi the impact of opening a Walmart was much larger on existing retailers in rural communities (17%) than more urban ones (4%).

2006: Wal-Mart's Trade Deficit with China Estimated Job Loss

By 2006, the Economic Policy Institute estimated that Wal-Mart's trade deficit with China alone represented a loss of nearly 200,000 U.S. jobs, with Wal-Mart responsible for 9.3% of total U.S. imports from China, increasing the U.S. trade deficit by an estimated $17.1 billion.

2006: Consumer Savings in 2006

Global Insight's research found that Walmart's price level reduction resulted in savings for consumers of $287 billion in 2006, which equated to $957 per person or $2,500 per household.

2006: Walmart economic effects in 2006

In 2006, American newspaper columnist George Will stated that In terms of economic effects, "Wal-Mart and its effects save shoppers more than US$200 billion a year, dwarfing such government programs as food stamps (US$28.6 billion) and the earned income tax credit (US$34.6 billion)".

2006: Publication of "The Wal-Mart Effect"

In 2006, Charles Fishman published "The Wal-Mart Effect," which examined Walmart's supply chain operations and their impact, leading to public attention and further research.

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2006: Remodeling U.S. Stores for Wider Appeal

In 2006, Walmart announced plans to remodel its U.S. stores to appeal to a broader range of demographics, including more affluent shoppers, including the launch of a store in Plano, Texas, that included high-end electronics, jewelry, expensive wines and a sushi bar.

2006: Wal-Mart Announced Diversity Efforts

In 2006, Walmart announced that diversity efforts include new groups of minority, female and gay employees that meet at Walmart headquarters in Bentonville to advise the company on marketing and internal promotion.

2006: Elimination of layaway program

In 2006, Walmart eliminated its layaway program.

2006: Walmart Modifies Merchandising Strategy

In 2006, Walmart modified its U.S. merchandising strategy to cater to six demographic groups: African-Americans, the affluent, empty-nesters, Hispanics, suburbanites, and rural residents, and unveiled a new slogan: "Saving people money so they can live better lives".

2006: Not America's Largest Corporation

In 2006, Walmart wasn't listed as America's largest corporation on the Fortune 500 list.

2006: Asda Accounted for 42.7 Percent of 2006 International Sales

In 2006, Walmart's UK subsidiary Asda accounted for 42.7 percent of the company's international division sales.

2006: Political ratings of Walmart Shoppers in 2006

In 2006, frequent Walmart shoppers were rated as the most politically conservative when measured against shoppers of similar retailers in the U.S.

January 2007: Expansion of Generic Drug Program

By January 2007, Walmart had expanded its generic drug program to all stores in Florida.

February 6, 2007: Launch of Movie Download Service

On February 6, 2007, Walmart launched a "beta" version of a movie download service, selling about 3,000 films and television episodes.

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June 2007: Discontinuation of blue vests

In June 2007, Walmart discontinued the practice of associates wearing signature blue vests and replaced them with khaki pants and polo shirts as part of a corporate overhaul.

September 12, 2007: New Advertising Slogan Introduced

On September 12, 2007, Walmart introduced the new advertising slogan, "Save money. Live better.", replacing "Always Low Prices, Always".

December 21, 2007: Movie Download Service Discontinued

On December 21, 2007, Walmart discontinued its movie download service due to low sales.

2007: Total Environmental Impact Research

In 2007, Walmart collaborated with external consultants to assess its total environmental impact and pinpoint areas for improvement. The company also established Texas Retail Energy to provide cheap power to its stores.

2007: Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Filed Against Walmart

In 2007, a gender discrimination lawsuit, Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., was filed against Walmart, alleging that female employees were discriminated against in matters regarding pay and promotions.

2007: Introduction of Site-To-Store program

Walmart introduced its Site-To-Store program in 2007. The program allows walmart.com customers to buy goods online with a free shipping option, and have goods shipped to the nearest store for pickup.

June 30, 2008: Logo Update and Rebranding

On June 30, 2008, Walmart removed the hyphen from its logo and replaced the star with a Spark symbol, rebranding from "Wal-Mart" to "Walmart" for store branding.

July 1, 2008: New Logo Debuts Online

On July 1, 2008, the new Walmart logo made its debut on the company's website.

2008: Economic Analysis Published in Economic Inquiry in 2008

A 2008 economic analysis published in the journal Economic Inquiry suggested that "the process of creative destruction unleashed by Wal‐Mart has had no statistically significant long‐run impact on the overall size and profitability of the small business sector in the United States".

2008: Walmart Owned 100 Percent of Seiyu

As of 2008, Walmart owned 100 percent of Seiyu in Japan, operating under various banners including Seiyu and Livin.

2008: Wal-Mart was a Member of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

From 2006 to 2008, Walmart was a member of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

2008: New Walmart Logo Introduced

In 2008, Walmart introduced a new logo, and the "Supercenter" name was phased out, with stores simply referred to as "Walmart" in the US. The branding is still used in Walmart's Canadian stores (spelled as "Supercentre" in Canadian English).

2008: Pilot Program for Marketside Grocery Stores

In 2008, Walmart started a pilot program for the small grocery store concept called Marketside in the metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona area.

2008: Previous Logo Redesign

Walmart's last logo redesign occurred in 2008, prior to the redesign in January 2025.

January 2009: Acquisition of Distribución y Servicio D&S SA

In January 2009, Walmart acquired a controlling interest in Distribución y Servicio D&S SA, the largest grocer in Chile.

March 20, 2009: Walmart Announces Bonuses to Hourly Workers

On March 20, 2009, Walmart announced it was paying US$933.6 million in bonuses to all full and part-time hourly workers in addition to other contributions and discounts.

April 29, 2009: First Supermercado de Walmart Opened

On April 29, 2009, Walmart opened the first Supermercado de Walmart in the Spring Branch area of Houston, Texas, converting an existing Walmart Neighborhood Market.

May 30, 2009: First Best Price Modern Wholesale Store Opens in India

On May 30, 2009, the first Best Price Modern Wholesale store, operated by Walmart in partnership with Bharti Enterprises, opened in Amritsar, India.

2009: Not America's Largest Corporation

In 2009, Walmart wasn't listed as America's largest corporation on the Fortune 500 list.

2009: Logo Adoption by Walmart Canada

In early 2009, Walmart Canada began adopting the updated logo for its stores.

2009: Walmart's Marketplace launched

Walmart's Marketplace was launched in 2009.

February 22, 2010: Walmart Acquires Vudu, Inc.

On February 22, 2010, Walmart confirmed its acquisition of video streaming company Vudu, Inc. for approximately $100 million.

September 28, 2010: Walmart to Buy Massmart Holdings Ltd.

On September 28, 2010, Walmart announced its intent to acquire Massmart Holdings Ltd. of Johannesburg, South Africa for over US$4 billion, marking its entry into the African market.

2010: Impact of New Walmarts

A study by Ailawadi and others in 2010 examined the impact of new Walmarts in detail. She reported that median sales dropped 40 percent at similar high-volume stores, 17 percent at supermarkets and 6 percent at drugstores.

2010: Walmart's entry into new areas lowers local food prices

Between 2000 and 2010, Walmart's entry into new areas often lowered local food prices at other stores.

2010: Walmart to Accelerate Expansion Plans for Grocery Stores

By 2010, Walmart announced plans to accelerate its expansion for its grocery stores.

2010: Walmart Third-Largest Supermarket Chain in Brazil

By 2010, with the acquisitions of Bompreço and Sonae, Walmart became the third-largest supermarket chain in Brazil, trailing only Carrefour and Pão de Açúcar.

2010: Asda Acquired Stores from Netto UK

In 2010, Asda, Walmart's UK subsidiary, acquired stores from Netto UK, expanding its presence in the market.

2010: Distribución y Servicio D&S SA Renamed Walmart Chile

In 2010, Distribución y Servicio D&S SA was renamed Walmart Chile.

2010: Elimination of layaway program

In 2010, Walmart eliminated its layaway program.

2010: Walmart teams with Procter & Gamble to produce family movies

In 2010, Walmart teamed with Procter & Gamble to produce Secrets of the Mountain and The Jensen Project, two-hour family movies which featured the characters using Walmart and Procter & Gamble–branded products. The Jensen Project also featured a preview of a product to be released in several months in Walmart stores. A Walk in My Shoes, also aired in 2010 and a fourth is in production.

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April 2011: Walmart acquired Kosmix

In April 2011, Walmart acquired Kosmix to develop software for analyzing real-time data streams.

June 20, 2011: Supreme Court Rules in Wal-Mart's Favor in Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

On June 20, 2011, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Wal-Mart's favor in Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., stating that the plaintiffs did not have enough in common to constitute a class.

2011: Walmart expansion in California and New Jersey

In 2011, California and New Jersey were among the ten states with the largest increases in Supercenters between 2011 and 2020.

2011: Wal-Mart Added Gender Identity to Anti-Discrimination Policy

In 2011, Walmart added gender identity to their anti-discrimination policy.

2011: Revival of layaway program

In 2011, Walmart revived its layaway program.

2011: Marketside Stores Closed

In 2011, the four Marketside stores in the Phoenix, Arizona area closed.

January 2012: Walmart Express Expansion Plans

By the end of January 2012, Walmart planned to build 15 to 20 Walmart Express stores.

February 2012: Walmart Increases Stake in Yihaodian

In February 2012, Walmart increased its stake to 51% in the Chinese online supermarket Yihaodian to capitalize on growing consumer wealth and broaden its product offerings.

April 2012: Allegations of Bribery in Mexico

In April 2012, The New York Times reported allegations that Walmart de Mexico paid bribes to officials for construction permits and other favors, leading to an internal investigation.

June 2012: Walmart visa workers protest mistreatment

In June 2012, visa workers partnered with Walmart held a protest and day-long hunger strike outside of the apartment building where a Walmart board member resided due to mistreatment. Following this protest, Walmart announced its final decision to no longer work with CJ's Seafood.

August 2012: Walmart announced its Polaris search engine

In August 2012, Walmart announced its Polaris search engine.

September 14, 2012: Government of India Approves FDI

On September 14, 2012, the Government of India approved 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail, effective September 20, 2012, subject to individual state approval, potentially allowing Walmart to open its own stores in India.

September 20, 2012: Government of India Approves FDI

On September 20, 2012, the Government of India's approval of 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail became effective, although subject to approval by individual states.

November 14, 2012: Walmart Launches Goodies Subscription Service

On November 14, 2012, Walmart launched its first mail subscription service called Goodies, where customers paid $7 monthly for food samples.

November 2012: Walmart Investigates Lobbying Practices in India

In November 2012, Walmart faced scrutiny and initiated an internal investigation into potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, following allegations of spending US$25 million lobbying the Indian National Congress.

December 2012: Internal investigations into Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations ongoing

As of December 2012, Walmart had internal investigations ongoing into possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. These investigations expanded beyond Mexico to operations in China, Brazil, and India.

December 17, 2012: Bribery Allegations

On December 17, 2012, The New York Times published a follow-up investigation revealing evidence that regulatory permission for nineteen stores had been obtained through bribery.

2012: Impact of Walmart in Chicago

David Merriman, Joseph Persky, Julie Davis and Ron Baiman in 2012 outlined the impacts of Walmart in Chicago. The study found that the probability of going out of business was significantly higher for establishments close to the Walmart store.

2012: Not America's Largest Corporation

In 2012, Walmart wasn't listed as America's largest corporation on the Fortune 500 list.

2012: Walmart's Pork and Mango Supply Chain Contamination

In 2012, Walmart’s pork and mango supply chain was contaminated, resulting in a large number of customers suffering from severe food poisoning. Walmart recalled all contaminated pork and mangoes and emptied its inventory to prevent further sales.

August 2013: Walmart in Talks to Acquire Naivas

In August 2013, Walmart announced it was in talks to acquire a majority stake in the Kenya-based supermarket chain, Naivas.

October 2013: Bharti and Walmart Separate Businesses

In October 2013, Bharti and Walmart decided to separate their businesses to pursue independent strategies in the Indian market.

November 2013: NLRB Findings on Walmart's Anti-Strike Actions

In November 2013, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced that it had found that in 13 U.S. states, Wal-Mart had pressured employees not to engage in strikes on Black Friday, and had illegally disciplined workers who had engaged in strikes.

2013: Walmart impact on outlets of larger chains in 2013

Ellickson & Grieco reported in the Journal of Urban Economics in 2013 that Wal-Marts most strongly affect outlets of larger chains that are within 2 miles (3.2 km) of their location.

2013: Murphy USA Spun Off from Murphy Oil

In 2013, Murphy USA, which distributes gasoline at some Walmart locations, spun off from Murphy Oil.

2013: Wal-Mart Began Offering Health Insurance Benefits to Domestic Partners

In 2013, Walmart began offering health insurance benefits to domestic partners.

January 2014: Walmart Brazil Store Count

As of January 2014, Walmart operated 61 Bompreço supermarkets, 39 Hiper Bompreço stores, 57 Walmart Supercenters, 27 Sam's Clubs, and 174 Todo Dia stores in Brazil.

February 1, 2014: Doug McMillon becomes Walmart's CEO

On February 1, 2014, Doug McMillon became Walmart's CEO. He has also worked as the head of Sam's Club and Walmart International.

February 2014: Walmart Foundation Pledged Support for Domestic Manufacturers

In February 2014, the Walmart Foundation pledged to support domestic manufacturers by buying US$250 billion worth of American-made products in the next decade.

June 2014: Walmart Employees Strike for Higher Wages

In June 2014, some Walmart employees went on strike in major U.S. cities demanding higher wages.

July 2014: Tracy Morgan Sues Walmart After Fatal Accident

In July 2014, Tracy Morgan launched a lawsuit against Walmart seeking punitive damages over a multi-car pile-up caused by a Walmart truck driver, resulting in injuries and one death.

September 2014: Reintroduction of vests for store employees

In September 2014, Walmart's uniform was updated to bring back a vest for store employees over the same polos and khaki or black pants. The vest is navy blue for Walmart employees at Supercenters and discounts stores, lime green for Walmart Neighborhood Market employees, and yellow for self-check-out associates; door greeters, and customer service managers.

September 2014: Walmart Express Stores Re-branded

As of September 2014, Walmart re-branded all 22 of its Express format stores to Neighborhood Markets in an effort to streamline its retail offer.

2014: Walmart shoppers and same-sex marriage in 2014

In 2014, 54 percent of Americans who preferred to shop at Walmart reported that they opposed same-sex marriage, while 40 percent were in favor.

2014: Jet.com founded by Marc Lore

In 2014, Jet.com was founded by Marc Lore.

2014: Supermercado de Walmart and Más Club Locations Closed

In 2014, both Supermercado de Walmart locations in Houston and Phoenix, as well as the lone Más Club store, closed.

July 2015: Asda Updates Logo

In July 2015, Asda, Walmart's UK subsidiary, updated its logo to feature the Walmart Asterisks behind the first 'A'.

2015: Walmart CEO Opposed House Bill 1228

In 2015, Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart, issued a statement opposing House Bill 1228 and asked Governor Asa Hutchinson to veto the bill.

2015: Walmart Begins Testing Free Grocery Pickup Service

In 2015, Walmart began testing a free grocery pickup service, allowing customers to select products online and choose their pickup time.

2015: Walmart Initiates Anti-Crime Campaign

In 2015, under CEO Doug McMillon, Walmart started a company-wide campaign to reduce crime which included receipt checks, stationing employees at self-checkout areas, installing security cameras, utilizing data analytics for fraud detection, hiring security personnel, and implementing a theft-prevention program for first-time offenders.

January 15, 2016: Walmart Announces Store Closures

On January 15, 2016, Walmart announced it would close 269 stores in 2016, affecting 16,000 workers as part of restructuring plans.

March 2016: Jet.com acquires Hayneedle

In March 2016, Jet.com acquired Hayneedle.

April 2016: Walmart Announced Plans to Eliminate Eggs from Battery Cages

In April 2016, Walmart announced that it plans to eliminate eggs from battery cages from its supply chain by 2025. The decision was particularly important because of Walmart's large market share and influence on the rest of the industry.

May 2016: ShippingPass Delivery Change

In May 2016, Walmart announced that ShippingPass, its three-day shipping service, would move to two-day delivery to remain competitive with Amazon. Walmart priced it at 49 dollars per year, compared to Amazon Prime's 99-dollar-per-year price.

June 2016: Walmart and Sam's Club to test last-mile grocery delivery.

In June 2016, Walmart and Sam's Club announced that they would begin testing last-mile grocery delivery using services including Uber, Lyft, and Deliv, to bring customers' orders to their homes.

August 8, 2016: Walmart to Acquire Jet.com

On August 8, 2016, Walmart announced a deal to acquire e-commerce website Jet.com for US$3.3 billion to bolster its online presence.

August 2016: Bloomberg Businessweek Report on Crime Increase

In August 2016, a Bloomberg Businessweek report indicated that cost-cutting measures, initiated in 2000, led to increased crime at Walmart stores. These measures included removing greeters, replacing cashiers with self-checkout stations, and increasing store space without proportionally increasing staff.

October 3, 2016: Walmart Labs Statement on Medium.com

On October 3, 2016, Alex Grigoryan of Walmart Labs released a statement on Medium.com, explaining the details of the applications and the scale that they operate at Walmart.

October 2016: Food Safety Collaboration Center Launch in Beijing

In October 2016, Walmart launched the Food Safety Collaboration Center in Beijing, China, to collaborate with the local government, promote blockchain technology in pork supply tracking, and enhance food supply chain transparency and safety.

October 19, 2016: Walmart Partners to Track Pork Supply Chain with Blockchain

On October 19, 2016, Walmart announced a partnership with IBM and Tsinghua University to track the pork supply chain in China using blockchain technology.

November 2016: Walmart Labs GitHub Repository

As of November 2016, 141 public GitHub projects are listed as Walmart technology projects, coded in the open and available through the Walmart Labs GitHub repository as open-source software under the OSI approved Apache V2.0 license.

December 2016: Jet.com acquires Shoebuy.com

In December 2016, Jet.com acquired Shoebuy.com.

2016: Walmart's Operations Organized into Four Divisions

As of 2016, Walmart's operations were organized into four divisions: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, Sam's Club, and Global eCommerce. In the United States, Walmart's stores operate in four formats: discount, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club stores. Walmart International stores include additional formats such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, cash-and-carry stores, home improvement, specialty electronics, restaurants, apparel stores, drugstores, and convenience stores.

2016: Walmart Automates Cash Handling

In 2016, Walmart began automating the cash handling process by replacing employees who count currency by hand with machines that count bills and coins for electronic depositing.

2016: Wal-Mart Began Offering Full Healthcare Benefits to Transgender Employees

In 2016, Walmart began offering full healthcare benefits to its transgender employees.

2016: High Incidence of Violent Crime at Walmart Stores

In 2016, over 200 violent crimes, including attempted kidnappings, stabbings, shootings, and murders, occurred at the 4,500 Walmart stores in the U.S., alongside numerous petty crimes.

2016: Yellow vests for certain Walmart associates

In 2016, self-checkout associates, door greeters and customer service managers at Walmart began wearing a yellow vest to be better seen by customers.

February 15, 2017: Walmart Acquires Moosejaw

On February 15, 2017, Walmart announced the acquisition of Moosejaw, an online active outdoor retailer, for approximately $51 million.

March 2017: Jet.com acquires ModCloth

In March 2017, Jet.com acquired ModCloth.

March 2017: Walmart Inc. outstanding shares

As of March 2017, Walmart Inc. has 3,292,377,090 outstanding shares.

June 16, 2017: Walmart Acquires Bonobos

On June 16, 2017, Walmart agreed to acquire the men's apparel company Bonobos for $310 million.

September 15, 2017: Announcement of new headquarters construction

On September 15, 2017, Walmart announced that it would build a new headquarters in Bentonville to replace its current 1971 building.

September 29, 2017: Walmart Acquires Parcel

On September 29, 2017, Walmart acquired Parcel, a same-day and last-mile delivery company in Brooklyn, to enhance its delivery capabilities.

December 6, 2017: Walmart Announces Corporate Name Change

On December 6, 2017, Walmart announced that it would change its corporate name to Walmart Inc. from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., effective February 1, 2018.

December 17, 2017: Grocery Pickup Service Available in 39 U.S. States

As of December 17, 2017, Walmart's free grocery pickup service was available in 39 U.S. states.

2017: Walmart offers in-store pickup for online orders

As of 2017, Walmart offers in-store pickup for online orders at 1,000 stores with plans to eventually expand the service to all of its stores.

2017: Walmart U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Fund Grants

Between 2014 and 2017, the Walmart U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Fund gave $10 million in grants to research and academic institutions for projects that improve domestic manufacturing.

2017: Wal-Mart's High Score on HRC's Corporate Equality Index

By 2017, HRC's Corporate Equality Index gave Wal-Mart Stores Inc. a score of 100%, a significant improvement from its earlier score.

2017: Death of Betty Dukes

In 2017, Betty Dukes, the lead plaintiff in Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. gender discrimination lawsuit, died.

2017: Launch of "Project Gigaton"

In 2017, Walmart launched the "Project Gigaton" initiative to reduce Scope 3 emissions from suppliers by 1 billion metric tons by 2030.

January 11, 2018: Walmart Announces Sam's Club Closures and Employee Benefits Changes

On January 11, 2018, Walmart announced the closure of 63 Sam's Club locations and simultaneously announced increased starting wages, bonuses, and expanded leave policies for employees due to the new tax law.

March 14, 2018: Online Delivery Expansion Announced

On March 14, 2018, Walmart announced that it would expand online delivery to 100 metropolitan regions in the United States, the equivalent of 40 percent of households, by the end of the year of 2018.

March 2018: Lawsuit Filed Against Walmart for Misleading E-commerce Performance Results

In March 2018, Walmart was sued by former Director of Business Development Tri Huynh for claims of reporting misleading e-commerce performance results in favor of the company.

May 9, 2018: Walmart to Acquire Majority Stake in Flipkart

On May 9, 2018, Walmart announced its intention to acquire a 77% majority stake in the Indian e-commerce company Flipkart for $16 billion.

May 2018: Walmart Announces Plans to Sell Asda to Sainsbury's

In May 2018, Walmart revealed plans to sell Asda, its UK subsidiary, to Sainsbury's for $10.1 billion, retaining a 42% stake in the combined company.

May 17, 2018: Walmart Canada Bank Sale Agreement

On May 17, 2018, Walmart Canada announced an agreement to sell Wal-Mart Canada Bank to Stephen Smith and Centerbridge Partners, L.P., while remaining the issuer of the Walmart (Canada) Rewards MasterCard.

June 2018: Winemakers Selection Wine Introduced

In June 2018, Walmart's Winemakers Selection private label wine was introduced in about 1,100 stores.

August 2018: Walmart Inc. Holds Minority Stake in Walmart Brasil

Since August 2018, Walmart Inc. has held only a minority stake in Walmart Brasil, which was later renamed Grupo Big.

August 18, 2018: Walmart Completes Acquisition of Flipkart

On August 18, 2018, Walmart completed its acquisition of a 77% majority stake in the Indian e-commerce company Flipkart for $16 billion.

September 2018: EEOC Sued Walmart for Denying Requests from Pregnant Employees

In September 2018, Walmart was sued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging that Walmart denied requests from pregnant employees to limit heavy lifting.

2018: Walmart Changes Firearm Sales Policy

In 2018, Walmart stopped selling guns and ammunition to persons younger than 21 and stopped selling military-style rifles that were commonly used in mass shootings.

January 31, 2019: Walmart reports net income of US$6.6 billion

For the fiscal year ending January 31, 2019, Walmart reported net income of US$6.6 billion on $514 billion of revenue.

February 26, 2019: Walmart Acquires Aspectiva

On February 26, 2019, Walmart announced its acquisition of Tel Aviv-based product review start-up Aspectiva for an undisclosed amount.

March 2019: Rebranding of Associate Education Benefits to Live Better U

In March 2019, Walmart rebranded their Associate Education Benefits to Live Better U, supporting associate education at every level and including a $1 a day college program.

April 1, 2019: Acquisition of Wal-Mart Canada Bank Closing

On April 1, 2019, Centerbridge Partners, L.P. and Stephen Smith jointly announced the closing of their acquisition of Wal-Mart Canada Bank, which was subsequently renamed Duo Bank of Canada.

April 2019: Walmart Plans to Extend Use of Robots in Stores

In April 2019, Walmart Inc. announced plans to extend the use of robots in stores in order to improve and monitor inventory, clean floors and unload trucks, part of the company's effort to lower its labor costs.

April 2019: Sale of Asda to Sainsbury's Blocked

In April 2019, the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority blocked the proposed sale of Asda to Sainsbury's.

April 16, 2019: Partnership with Kidbox announced

On April 16, 2019, Walmart's partnership with subscription service Kidbox was announced.

May 2019: Walmart Launches Free One-Day Shipping

In May 2019, Walmart announced the launch of free one-day shipping on over 220,000 items with a minimum purchase amount of $35.

May 2019: Center for Inquiry Filed Lawsuit Against Walmart for Selling Homeopathic Products

In May 2019, the Center for Inquiry filed a lawsuit in the District of Columbia alleging consumer fraud and the endangering of its customers' health due to Walmart's practice of "selling homeopathic [products] alongside real medicine, in the same sections in its stores, under the same signs".

June 2019: Walmart Announces Expansion of Education Benefits to Recruit High School Students

In June 2019, Walmart Inc. announced the expansion of education benefits to recruit high school students. The incentives include flexible work schedules, free SAT and ACT preparation courses, up to seven hours of free college credit, and a debt-free college degree in three fields from six nonprofit universities.

July 2019: Pro-Union Memes Flooding Walmart Subreddit

In July 2019, the Walmart subreddit was flooded with pro-union memes in a protest to the firing of an employee who posted confidential material to the subreddit. Many of these posts were angry with Walmart surveying its staff on the Internet. The posting of the union content is in response to the aforementioned alleged anti-union position Walmart has taken in the past.

August 12, 2019: Walmart Brasil Renamed Grupo Big

On August 12, 2019, Walmart Brasil was renamed Grupo Big, with Walmart Inc. holding a minority stake.

September 2019: Walmart Ceases E-Cigarette Sales and Opens First Health Center

In September 2019, Walmart announced it would cease the sale of all e-cigarettes and opened its first Health Center, offering primary care services, in line with its health care initiative.

October 2019: Walmart Stops Selling Live Fish and Aquatic Plants

By October 2019, Walmart stopped selling all live fish and aquatic plants.

October 2019: Grocery Pickup Service Expanded to Include Adult Beverages

In October 2019, Walmart announced that customers in 2,000 locations in 29 states could use the grocery pickup service for their adult beverage purchases. Walmart would also deliver adult beverages from nearly 200 stores across California and Florida.

2019: Walmart Restricts Ammunition Sales After El Paso Shooting

Following a mass shooting at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, in 2019, Walmart announced it would stop selling all handgun ammunition and certain short-barreled rifle ammunition. The company also announced it would stop selling handguns in Alaska and requested customers not openly carry weapons in Walmart stores.

2019: Mass Shooting at El Paso Walmart

In 2019, a mass shooting at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, resulted in the deaths of 23 people.

2019: Walmart store count per 1,000 people

In 2019, the number of Walmart stores per 1,000 people was highest in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, and Kansas, and lowest in Hawaii, California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York.

2019: Sam's Club fiscal revenue

In fiscal year 2019, Sam's Club accounted for 11.3% of Walmart's revenue at $57.839 billion.

2019: Walmart U.S. Sales

In fiscal year 2019, Walmart U.S. accounted for US$331.666 billion, or 65 percent of total sales. Walmart U.S. consists of Supercenters, Discount Stores, Neighborhood Markets, and other small formats.

2019: Walmart International Division Sales

In fiscal year 2019, Walmart's international division sales were US$120.824 billion, or 23.7 percent of total sales.

February 2020: Walmart + Membership Program Announced

In February 2020, Walmart announced a new membership program called "Walmart +".

May 19, 2020: Walmart shuts down Jet.com

On May 19, 2020, Walmart announced that it was shutting down Jet.com, with all subsequent visitors to the site directed to the Walmart website instead.

May 20, 2020: Dismissal of CFI's Lawsuit Against Walmart

On May 20, 2020, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Florence Pan dismissed CFI's lawsuit, claiming that CFI had no standing as a consumer protection organization and failed to identify the specific actions on the part of Walmart that led to harm to consumers.

June 27, 2020: Shooting at Walmart Distribution Center in Red Bluff

On June 27, 2020, a shooting at a Walmart distribution center in Red Bluff, California resulted in the death of one employee. The shooter was killed by officers.

July 2020: Walmart Requires Masks in All Stores Nationwide

Starting in July 2020, Walmart required customers to wear masks in all stores nationwide, including Sam's Club, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

October 2, 2020: Walmart to Sell Majority Stake of Asda

On October 2, 2020, Walmart announced that it will sell a majority stake of Asda to a consortium of Zuber and Mohsin Issa and TDR Capital for £6.8bn, pending approval.

October 2020: Walmart Removes Gun and Ammunition Displays Temporarily in October 2020

Following the fatal police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. in October 2020, Walmart temporarily removed gun and ammunition displays in thousands of stores across the U.S. due to concerns of civil unrest.

November 6, 2020: Walmart Sells Argentine Operations to Grupo de Narváez

On November 6, 2020, Walmart announced the sale of its Argentine operations to Grupo de Narváez, with the Hiper Changomas stores being renamed.

November 16, 2020: Walmart to Sell Majority Stake in Seiyu

On November 16, 2020, Walmart announced it would sell 65% of its shares in Seiyu to KKR in a deal valuing 329 stores at $1.6 billion, while retaining 15% and a board seat.

December 2020: Walmart Launches Carrier Pickup Service

In December 2020, Walmart launched Carrier Pickup, a new service allowing customers to schedule returns, enhancing convenience.

2020: Walmart contributes to the Rule of Law Defense Fund

According to watchdog group Documented, in 2020 Walmart contributed $140,000 to the Rule of Law Defense Fund, a fund-raising arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association.

2020: Walmart as Largest Private Employer in the U.S.

As of 2020, Walmart is the largest private employer in the United States, with 1.6 million employees, and employs more African Americans than any other private employer in the country.

2020: Walmart Reported Two-Thirds of Merchandise Made in the United States

For the 2020 fiscal year, Walmart reported that nearly two-thirds of its merchandise was made, assembled, or grown in the United States.

2020: Walmart expansion in California and New Jersey

In 2020, California and New Jersey were among the ten states with the largest increases in Supercenters between 2011 and 2020.

2020: Walmart Settles Sex-Based Hiring Discrimination Lawsuit

In 2020, Walmart agreed to pay $20 million, stop using a pre-employment test, and furnish other relief to settle a companywide, sex-based hiring discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

2020: Walmart commits to COVID-19 pandemic response

In 2020, Walmart committed $25 million to organizations on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic response.

January 2021: Walmart Provides COVID-19 Vaccines

As of January 2021, healthcare workers could get COVID-19 vaccines through Walmart in New Mexico and Arkansas. Walmart planned to offer vaccines in other states with the target of delivering between 10 and 13 million doses per month at full capacity.

January 2021: Walmart Announces Fintech Startup

In January 2021, Walmart announced the launch of a fintech startup with Ribbit Capital, aimed at providing financial products for consumers and employees.

February 2021: Walmart Acquires Technology from Thunder Industries

In February 2021, Walmart acquired technology from Thunder Industries, which uses automation to create digital ads, to expand its online marketing capabilities.

March 2021: Walmart Pledged Additional Investment in American-Made Products

As of March 2021, Walmart pledged to buy an additional $350 billion worth of American-based items over the next decade.

March 24, 2021: Carrefour to Acquire Grupo Big

On March 24, 2021, it was announced that Carrefour would acquire Grupo Big, formerly Walmart Brasil.

May 2021: Walmart Acquires Zeekit

In May 2021, Walmart acquired the Israeli startup Zeekit for $200 million, integrating AI for virtual clothing try-ons.

May 2021: Walmart Lifts Mask Mandate for Vaccinated Employees

In May 2021, Walmart announced that starting from May 18 all its fully vaccinated employees could stop wearing masks at work, following the guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

August 2021: Walmart Opens Spark Delivery to Other Businesses

In August 2021, Walmart announced that it would open its Spark crowdsource delivery service to other businesses as a white-label service.

November 2021: Federal Jury Finds Walmart Contributed to Opioid Crisis

In November 2021, a federal jury found that Walmart, along with Walgreens and CVS, "had substantially contributed to" the opioid crisis.

December 2021: Walmart Participates in Investment Conferences

In December 2021, Walmart announced it would participate in the Stephens Investment Conference and the Morgan Stanley Virtual Global Consumer & Retail Conference.

December 2021: Warning from Chinese Communist Party

In December 2021, the Chinese Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection warned Walmart about removing products made from inputs from Xinjiang in response to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

February 2022: Walmart Lifts COVID-19 Restrictions

By February 2022, Walmart lifted COVID-19 restrictions such as mask requirements and employee benefits, signifying a shift in its pandemic response.

June 2022: FTC Sued Walmart for Facilitating Money Transfer Fraud

In June 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued Walmart, alleging that the company facilitated money transfer fraud by allowing its money transfer services to be used by scammers who stole hundreds of millions of dollars from customers.

August 2022: Walmart to Acquire Volt Systems and Partners with Paramount

In August 2022, Walmart announced it would be acquiring Volt Systems, a vendor management and product tracking software company and partnered with Paramount to offer Paramount+ content to Walmart+ subscribers.

August 2022: Walmart Announces Store Hour Changes

In August 2022, Walmart announced that locations were not going back to 24 hours with most stores now being open between 6am and 11pm.

October 1, 2022: Walmart Locations as of October 1, 2022

The text provides information about the number of locations as of October 1, 2022.

October 2022: Walmart Ranks First in Fortune Global 500

In October 2022, Walmart was recognized as the world's largest company by revenue according to the Fortune Global 500 list.

October 31, 2022: Number of Walmart Discount Stores

As of October 31, 2022, the number of Walmart Discount Stores had dropped to 365.

October 31, 2022: Walmart Store Count

As of October 31, 2022, Walmart operated 10,586 stores and clubs across 24 countries under 46 different names.

2022: Local Employment impact

A 2022 literature review concludes that "there is no consensus on the impact of Walmart on local employment, but most studies on the topic point to a modest increase in retail employment".

2022: Average U.S. Walmart Customer Income

As of 2022, the average U.S. Walmart customer earned about $80,000 per year, which is above the U.S. average personal income of $63,214.

2022: Walmart Sold Amigo Stores

In 2022, Walmart announced that it would sell its Amigo stores to Pueblo Inc. and focus on modernizing its Supercenter and Sam's Clubs stores.

January 2023: Walmart to Raise Minimum Wage

In January 2023, Walmart announced it would raise its minimum wage for U.S. hourly workers from $12 to $14 an hour.

February 2023: Walmart Announces Sales and Profit Increase

In February 2023, Walmart announced that they had made $611.3 billion in sales in the previous financial year, up 6.7%, with profits also up, almost doubled from the previous year.

April 2023: Walmart to Add Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

In April 2023, Walmart announced it would add electric vehicle charging stations at thousands of stores by 2030.

2023: Net Sales from Suppliers Participating in Project Gigaton

In fiscal year 2023, 75% of Walmart's net sales were from suppliers participating in the "Project Gigaton" initiative.

January 2024: Walmart Announces Expansion Plans

In January 2024, Walmart announced plans to open over 150 new stores in the U.S. over the next five years and remodel 650 existing stores across 47 states and Puerto Rico, reversing a previous de-emphasis on new store openings to compete with online retailers like Amazon.

February 2024: Project Gigaton Goal Achieved Early

In February 2024, Walmart announced that its "Project Gigaton" initiative, which started in 2017 with the goal of reducing Scope 3 emissions from suppliers by 1 billion metric tons by 2030, had reached its goal six years ahead of schedule. The company also reported that 75% of its net sales in fiscal year 2023 came from suppliers participating in the initiative.

February 2024: Stock Grants and Stock Split Announcement

In February 2024, Walmart announced that managers will be given stock grants of up to $20,000. Walmart also announced a 3–1 stock split to make it easier for employees to buy company stock. The company is also raising the starting base salary for store managers and increasing the bonus plan of up to 200 per cent of their regular salaries.

August 27, 2024: Walmart Announces New Service to Transport Goods from Asia

On August 27, 2024, Walmart announced a new service to transport goods from Asia to the U.S. in order to compete more effectively with Amazon.

November 25, 2024: Walmart Ends DEI Programs and Delists Certain Products

On November 25, 2024, Walmart announced that it is ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and will delist products designed for transgender minors, such as breast binders.

2024: Walmart to Remove Self Checkouts from Some Stores

In 2024, Walmart announced plans to remove self checkout lanes from some stores due to customer feedback.

January 2025: Walmart Redesigns Logo

In January 2025, Walmart redesigned its logo for the first time since 2008, making the wordmark slightly bigger, the background darker blue, and the spark slightly larger.

2025: Walmart closes U.S. offices and consolidates into headquarters

In 2025, Walmart closed several U.S. offices and consolidated its U.S. corporate associates into its Bentonville headquarters or its West Coast offices in Sunnyvale, California.

2025: Target Year for Eliminating Eggs from Battery Cages

Walmart plans to eliminate eggs from battery cages from its supply chain by 2025.

2030: Target Year for "Project Gigaton"

Walmart's "Project Gigaton" initiative, launched in 2017, aimed to reduce Scope 3 emissions from suppliers by 1 billion metric tons by 2030. The goal was achieved early.