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Wal-Mart

World's largest discount retailer.

Headquarters:
Bentonville, AR 72716
Employees: 1,900,000
CEO: Lee Scott
Stock Symbol: WMT

When you think of Wal-Mart, think big! It's the world's biggest retailer and also the biggest employer with over 1.9 million full- and part-time workers worldwide -- 1.4 million in the U.S. It operates Wal-Mart stores along with Sam's Club membership warehouses in the U.S. and 12 foreign countries.

Known for its low pricing and wide selection of goods, Wal-Mart has become the undisputed king of retailing. It is also a feared giant for its sheer size and pricing power. For fiscal 2007, Wal-Mart had record revenues of $344.9 billion, an 11.7% increase from the previous year. Net income was $12.1 billion. U.S. sales rose 1.9% in Wal-Mart stores and 2.9% in Sam's Club stores. International sales were $77.1 billlion.

Wal-Mart has more than 1,000 discount stores and 2,300 Supercenters nationwide. The company has been growing raplidly overseas, especially in China. It now generates 20% revenues internationally. There are more than 2,760 stores and clubs internationally.

Wal-Mart Discount Stores average 107,000 square feet, employ an average of 225 associates and offer 120,000 items.

Wal-Mart Supercenters average 185,000 square feet, employ 350 or more associates on average and offer 142,000 different items.

Each Sam's Club employs an average of 160 to 175 associates and offers approximately 5,500 different products. A membership fee ($35 annually for businesses/$40 annually for individuals) is required to shop at Sam's Club. There are 584 Sam's Club locations.

The company also operates Neighborhood Markets. Generally, they are located in markets with Wal-Mart Supercenters, supplementing a strong food distribution network and providing added convenience while maintaining Wal-Mart's Every Day Low Prices. First opened in 1998, the now more than 120 Neighborhood Markets, averaging 42,000 square feet, feature a wide variety of products, including fresh produce, deli foods, fresh meat and dairy items, health and beauty aids, one-hour photo and traditional photo developing services, drive-through pharmacies, stationery and paper goods, pet supplies, and household chemicals. Neighborhood Markets employ 95 associates on average and offer about 29,000 items.

Wal-Mart reported record revenues for 2007 of $378.7 billion. Wal-Mart stores in the U.S. generated $239.5 billion in sales while Sam's Club reported $44.3 billion in revenues. International stores brought in $90.6 billion. Membership fees and other income added $4.27 billion. Net income for the entire company was $12.7 billion in 2007.

The company has recently begun to offer new health plans for employees with lower fees and higher deductibles. Wal-Mart says 92.7% of all employees now have health coverage with the company or through their spouse.

Wal-Mart says it gave $1.1 billion in fiscal 2007 to employees through profit sharing and contributions to 401(k) plans.

History

The first Wal-Mart store opened in tiny Rogers, AR in 1962 by brothers Sam and Bud Walton. By 1964, Wal-Mart had 24 stores with $12 million in sales and in 1969 Wal-Mart moved outside the state of Arkansas with stores in Sikeston, MO, and Claremore, OK.

The company was guided by founder Sam Walton's passion for customer satisfaction and "Every Day Low Prices."

In 1970, the company opened its first distribution center and corporate headquarters in Bentonville, AR, where it is located today. Wal-Mart also went public the same year.

In 1983, the first Sam's Club warehouse store opened. In 1988, the first Wal-Mart Supercenter opened which featured a Wal-Mart store with a full-scale supermarket inside.

Benefits

Associates' Medical Plan
Protection for the unexpected that's the goal of the Associates' Medical Plan. If a major or unexpected medical event occurs, the coverage is there to help associates and their families. The Associates' Medical Plan is designed to protect associates from catastrophic loss and financial ruin.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. offers many options in their medical plan offerings so associates can tailor health care selections to their own unique needs.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
In addition to the Associates' Medical Plan, HMO plans are offered in some facilities.
Dental
The Dental Plan provides associates with a way to keep their smiles looking great. Under this plan, associates have access to a network of general dentists and specialists who have agreed to provide dental care at discounted fees.
Life Insurance
Life insurance offers financial protection for associates and their families in case of death. Eligible associates receive Company Paid Life Insurance, and may also apply for additional life insurance coverage for themselves, their spouses, or their dependent children.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
AD&D coverage pays benefits to eligible associates if they have a loss of life, limb, sight, speech, hearing, or become paralyzed due to an accident while insured. Family coverage options are also available.
Business Travel Accident Insurance
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. offers associates protection when they travel on Company business by providing Business Travel Accident coverage to all associates at the Company's expense.
Disability Insurance
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. offers both Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance which may provide associates with a portion of their income should they become suddenly ill or injured.
STARBRIDGE
STARBRIDGE is a limited medical plan that is available to associates and their families who are in an eligibility waiting period. STARBRIDGE is also offered to temporary associates.
Aflac Cancer Insurance
Aflac is a supplemental insurance plan that helps reduce financial worries if cancer strikes associates or their families. It can also help replace income lost if an associate is unable to work due to a cancer illness.

Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan
The Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan helps associates save for long-term financial needs, such as retirement. Associates are eligible for the Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan after working at least 1,000 hours in one year. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. may contribute to all eligible associates' accounts annually, regardless of whether the associate chooses to contribute. Associates have a variety of investment options from which to choose.
If you have a 401(k) with a previous employer and wish to roll it over into a Wal-Mart account, you are immediately eligible to do so.
Associate Stock Purchase Plan
The Associate Stock Purchase Plan allows associates to buy stock in Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. conveniently through payroll deductions. The Company also contributes to associates' stock purchase according to plan guidelines.
Incentive Programs
Good teamwork brings success. To reward an associate for being a top-notch team player, the associate has the opportunity to participate in incentive programs based on the performance of the Company or the location. Incentive programs are different for each division.
Wal-Mart Associate Discount Card
Associates working for Wal-Mart or Logistics may enjoy a 10% discount on regularly priced general merchandise they buy in Wal-Mart stores, and on select merchandise at www.walmart.com.
SAM'S CLUB Membership
SAM'S CLUB field associates receive a free membership to SAM'S CLUB. All Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. associates may purchase a membership to SAM'S CLUB through payroll deductions.
Pay Programs
In addition to the pay an associate receives for a regular day's work, there are other programs and benefits that can supplement an associate's income.
Vacation Pay
Eligible associates accumulate paid vacation based on length of service with the Company.
Financial Education
Associates can learn more about budgeting, managing credit, credit reports, and buying a home through the Financial Education benefit.

My Education Connection
This program is a partnership between Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and selected online education providers. Nationally accredited colleges and universities, as well as highly regarded eLearning companies have partnered with us and have extended special pricing to our associates. In some cases, the benefit is extended to include associates' immediate family members.
Scholarships
A good education is a key component in reaching the goals you set in life. That's why Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. provides scholarship opportunities for associates and their children. Scholarships are awarded, in part, based on academic performance and financial need.
General Education Development (GED) Reimbursement
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. believes that individuals who, for whatever reason, did not receive a high school education deserve an opportunity to obtain their GED. Therefore, the Company will reimburse associates and/or their spouses for books, classes, and/or tests after successful completion of a GED.
Leave of Absence
Sometimes associates need to take time away from work to deal with unexpected events. To help associates, we provide medical, personal, and military leave of absence programs.
Resources for Living
Resources for Living is a professional and confidential counseling and information service available to associates and their family members. Resources for Living offers solutions for living well at home and at work, as well as services that can help associates deal with a wide range of personal or work related issues.
Child Care Discounts
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has arranged for associates to receive a discount (usually 10%) on child care tuition at national child care providers.
Hotel and Travel Discounts
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has built relationships with many hotel and rental car companies that have agreed to pass on discounts to our associates.
Emergency Volunteer Time
Associates can take unpaid time away from work if they are called to perform emergency service such as search and rescue, volunteer fire department service, and emergency medical technician (EMT) service.
Volunteerism Always Pays
The Volunteerism Always Pays program encourages and recognizes associates who actively provide volunteer services to their local communities.
Long-Term Service
When a long-term service associate discontinues employment with the Company, he or she may continue to receive some associate benefits.

Updated February 23, 2008