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Wal-Mart
Headquarters:
Bentonville, AR 72716
Employees: 2,100,000+
CEO: Mike Duke
Stock Symbol: WMT
Website: http://www.walmart.com
When you think of Wal-Mart, think big! It's the world's biggest retailer and also the biggest employer with over 2.1 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 14 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.
The company has 9,749 stores worldwide with over 4,400 in the U.S.
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.
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, there are 150 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 sales of $419.0 billion for fiscal 2011, an increase of 3.4% from the previous year. Wal-Mart stores in the U.S. generated $260.2 billion in sales -- only a 0.1% increase from the previous year -- while Sam's Club reported $49.4 billion in revenues for a 3.5% increase. International stores led the company in growth with $109.2 billion, a 12.1% increase. Net income for the entire company was $16.3 billion in fiscal 2011.
The company said it will no longer pay new workers starting in 2011 an extra $1 per hour for working on Sunday. Current employees will not be affected.
The company said average hourly wage for workers in Wal-Mart stores is $11.75 nationwide for full-time employees and higher in urban areas. Additionally, associates can receive performance-based bonuses.
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
When you become a Walmart associate, you can take advantage of a variety of great benefits for you and your family, including: The company announced in 2011 that new part-time employees working less than 24 hours per week will no longer be eligible for health insurance. Insurance for current employees will also increase and an additional charge will be levied on smokers. Updated October 25, 2011
Health & Wellness Benefits
Financial Benefits