Walmart Inc.
American multinational retail corporation and the world's largest company by revenue, operating Walmart stores, Sam's Club, and Flipkart, with fiscal year 2025 revenue of approximately 681 billion US dollars.
Company Type
public
Founded
1962
Headquarters
Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
Stock
NYSE: WMT
Revenue
approximately $681 billion (FY2025, year ended January 31, 2025)
Employees
Approximately 2.1 million
Primary Market
Global
carbon neutral 2040science based targetsrenewable energyzero wastesustainable sourcing
About Walmart Inc.
What does Walmart own?
Walmart Inc. owns and operates Walmart discount stores, Walmart Supercenters, Walmart Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club warehouse clubs in the United States. Internationally, Walmart owns a majority stake in Flipkart, India's leading e-commerce platform; Walmart Mexico (Walmex), the largest retailer in Mexico; Walmart Canada; and operations in Central America, Chile, China, and other markets. Walmart also owns Walmart+, its subscription membership service, and Walmart Connect, its retail media advertising network.
Walmart Inc. owns and operates Walmart discount stores, Walmart Supercenters, Walmart Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club warehouse clubs in the United States. Internationally, Walmart owns a majority stake in Flipkart, India's leading e-commerce platform; Walmart Mexico (Walmex), the largest retailer in Mexico; Walmart Canada; and operations in Central America, Chile, China, and other markets. Walmart also owns Walmart+, its subscription membership service, and Walmart Connect, its retail media advertising network.
Is Walmart publicly traded?
Yes, Walmart Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker WMT. The company has been publicly listed since 1970. The Walton family, descendants of founder Sam Walton, collectively hold approximately 46% of Walmart's shares through Walton Enterprises LLC and other entities, giving them effective control over the company. The remaining shares are held by institutional investors and public shareholders.
Yes, Walmart Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker WMT. The company has been publicly listed since 1970. The Walton family, descendants of founder Sam Walton, collectively hold approximately 46% of Walmart's shares through Walton Enterprises LLC and other entities, giving them effective control over the company. The remaining shares are held by institutional investors and public shareholders.
Who founded Walmart?
Walmart was founded by Sam Walton, who opened the first Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas on July 2, 1962. Walton had previously operated Ben Franklin variety stores as a franchisee and had developed a deep understanding of retail operations. His concept was to offer a wide range of merchandise at consistently low prices in smaller towns underserved by larger retailers. Sam Walton died in April 1992 at the age of 74. The Walton family continues to hold a controlling stake in the company.
Walmart was founded by Sam Walton, who opened the first Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas on July 2, 1962. Walton had previously operated Ben Franklin variety stores as a franchisee and had developed a deep understanding of retail operations. His concept was to offer a wide range of merchandise at consistently low prices in smaller towns underserved by larger retailers. Sam Walton died in April 1992 at the age of 74. The Walton family continues to hold a controlling stake in the company.
Where is Walmart headquartered?
Walmart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA, where the company has been based since its founding. The company's global headquarters and principal executive offices are located in Bentonville. Walmart operates more than 10,500 stores and clubs across more than 20 countries, with its largest concentration of stores in the United States.
Walmart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA, where the company has been based since its founding. The company's global headquarters and principal executive offices are located in Bentonville. Walmart operates more than 10,500 stores and clubs across more than 20 countries, with its largest concentration of stores in the United States.
How many stores does Walmart operate?
Walmart operates more than 10,500 stores and clubs across more than 20 countries. In the United States, Walmart operates approximately 4,600 stores under the Walmart banner and approximately 600 Sam's Club locations. Internationally, Walmart operates stores in Mexico, Canada, China, Central America, Chile, and other markets, and holds a majority stake in Flipkart, India's leading e-commerce platform.
Walmart operates more than 10,500 stores and clubs across more than 20 countries. In the United States, Walmart operates approximately 4,600 stores under the Walmart banner and approximately 600 Sam's Club locations. Internationally, Walmart operates stores in Mexico, Canada, China, Central America, Chile, and other markets, and holds a majority stake in Flipkart, India's leading e-commerce platform.
Who owns Walmart?
Walmart Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE, but the Walton family holds a controlling interest of approximately 46% of shares through Walton Enterprises LLC and other entities. The Walton family, descendants of founder Sam Walton, are among the wealthiest families in the world as a result of this stake. The remaining approximately 54% of shares are held by institutional investors and public shareholders. Doug McMillon serves as President and CEO.
Walmart Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE, but the Walton family holds a controlling interest of approximately 46% of shares through Walton Enterprises LLC and other entities. The Walton family, descendants of founder Sam Walton, are among the wealthiest families in the world as a result of this stake. The remaining approximately 54% of shares are held by institutional investors and public shareholders. Doug McMillon serves as President and CEO.
History of Walmart Inc.
Sam Walton opened the first Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas on July 2, 1962. Walton had previously operated Ben Franklin variety stores as a franchisee and had developed a deep understanding of retail operations and consumer behavior. His concept for Walmart was to offer a wide range of merchandise at consistently low prices in smaller towns that were underserved by larger retailers.
Walmart grew rapidly through the 1960s and 1970s, expanding across Arkansas and into neighboring states. The company went public in 1970, listing on the New York Stock Exchange at a price of 16.50 US dollars per share. The IPO provided capital for continued expansion and made the Walton family wealthy.
In 1983, Walmart launched Sam's Club, a membership-based warehouse club format inspired by the success of Costco and Price Club. Sam's Club became a significant business in its own right, offering bulk merchandise at low prices to both individual consumers and small businesses.
In 1988, Walmart opened its first Supercenter, combining a full grocery store with a general merchandise store in a single large-format location. The Supercenter format became the dominant Walmart store type in the United States, allowing the company to capture a larger share of consumer spending by adding grocery to its existing general merchandise offering.
Sam Walton died in April 1992 at the age of 74. His son S. Robson Walton became chairman, and David Glass continued as CEO. The Walton family retained their controlling stake in the company, and subsequent generations of the family have remained involved in Walmart's governance.
Walmart's international expansion accelerated through the 1990s and 2000s. The company entered Mexico in 1991, Canada in 1994, China in 1996, and the United Kingdom in 1999 through the acquisition of ASDA. Not all international expansions were successful: Walmart exited Germany in 2006 and South Korea in 2006 after failing to adapt its model to local market conditions.
In 2016, Walmart acquired Jet.com, a US e-commerce startup, for approximately 3.3 billion US dollars, in an effort to accelerate its e-commerce capabilities and compete more effectively with Amazon. The Jet.com brand was subsequently discontinued, but the acquisition brought e-commerce talent and technology to Walmart.
In 2018, Walmart acquired a 77% stake in Flipkart, India's leading e-commerce platform, for approximately 16 billion US dollars. The acquisition gave Walmart a major position in one of the world's fastest-growing e-commerce markets.
In 2021, Walmart sold ASDA, its UK grocery chain, to a consortium led by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital for approximately 6.8 billion pounds sterling, exiting the UK market after more than two decades.
For fiscal year 2025 (ended January 31, 2025), Walmart reported revenue of approximately 681 billion US dollars, the highest annual revenue in the company's history.
Walmart Inc. Sustainability & Ethics
Walmart's sustainability strategy centers on Project Gigaton, its ambitious initiative to reduce emissions across its supply chain, and commitments to renewable energy, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing. The company aims to achieve zero emissions by 2040 and powers approximately 50% of its global operations with renewable energy as of 2025.
Project Gigaton, launched in 2017, engages suppliers in reducing one gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions from the value chain by 2030. The program has become a cornerstone of Walmart's Scope 3 emissions strategy, covering categories from agricultural practices to transportation and manufacturing. While Walmart acknowledged it will not meet its 2025 and 2030 emissions reduction targets, the company remains committed to its long-term sustainability goals.
Walmart's zero waste initiative has achieved significant milestones, with the company diverting approximately 80% of waste from landfills and incineration across its U.S. operations. The retailer implemented comprehensive recycling programs, food donation initiatives, and sustainable packaging solutions to reduce waste generation.
In renewable energy, Walmart has invested in solar installations at stores and distribution centers, power purchase agreements for wind and solar farms, and exploration of renewable diesel and hydrogen-powered equipment for its trucking fleet. The company's sustainability investments position it as a leader in sustainable transport innovation among retailers.
Walmart's sustainable sourcing programs focus on agricultural commodities, seafood, forest products, and palm oil. The company works with suppliers to implement sustainable farming practices, reduce deforestation, and improve labor standards throughout its supply chain. Walmart's ethical sourcing initiatives include supplier audits, worker training programs, and partnerships with NGOs to address labor and human rights issues.
The company publishes annual ESG reports detailing progress on environmental targets, social initiatives, and governance improvements. Walmart's sustainability approach emphasizes creating shared value by addressing societal issues in ways that create business value, focusing on climate action, economic opportunity, and community engagement.
Awards & Recognition
Walmart has received consistent recognition for retail leadership, sustainability initiatives, and corporate responsibility:
- **Fortune Most Admired Companies (2025):** Ranked among the world's most admired companies in the general merchandisers category, reflecting peer and analyst recognition of operational excellence and market leadership
- **Fortune 500 Leader (2025):** Ranked as America's largest company by revenue, demonstrating Walmart's dominant position in the global retail market
- **EPA Green Power Partner (2024):** Recognition for renewable energy leadership and green power purchasing among U.S. retailers
- **CDP Climate Leadership:** Multiple years of recognition for climate disclosure and environmental performance, particularly in supply chain emissions management
- **Sustainability Leadership Awards:** Recognition for Project Gigaton and supply chain sustainability initiatives among global corporations
- **Workplace Excellence:** Recognition as one of Fortune's Best Companies to Work For and similar workplace culture awards
- **Supply Chain Innovation:** Awards for logistics excellence, supply chain technology, and distribution center efficiency
- **Community Engagement:** Recognition for philanthropic programs, disaster relief efforts, and community investment through the Walmart Foundation
- **Digital Commerce Awards:** Recognition for e-commerce innovation, omnichannel retail capabilities, and digital transformation
- **Energy Management:** Awards for energy efficiency in stores and renewable energy deployment across retail operations
Controversy, Regulation & Public Scrutiny
Walmart has faced sustained criticism from labor advocates regarding its employment practices, including wages, benefits, and working conditions. The company has historically paid wages at or near the minimum wage for many of its store associates, though it has increased its minimum wage in recent years.
In 2012, the New York Times reported that Walmart's Mexican subsidiary, Walmex, had paid bribes to government officials to accelerate store openings in Mexico. Walmart ultimately paid approximately 282 million US dollars to resolve the subsequent US Department of Justice and SEC investigation in 2019 under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Walmart has also faced criticism regarding the environmental impact of its operations, including its supply chain's carbon footprint and the waste generated by its stores. The company has published sustainability commitments targeting reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and has invested in renewable energy for its store operations.
Walmart's expanding e-commerce operations and data collection practices have raised privacy concerns and regulatory scrutiny regarding customer data handling and cybersecurity practices.
Brands Owned by Walmart Inc.
View all 25 brandsWalmart Inc. owns 25 brands in our database. Showing featured brands below.
Allswell
Owned by Walmart Inc.
Walmart's direct-to-consumer mattress and bedding brand offering quality sleep products at affordable prices.
mattressbeddingsleep
Better Homes & Gardens
Owned by Walmart Inc.
Licensed home goods brand available exclusively at Walmart, offering stylish furniture, decor, kitchenware, and garden products inspired by the iconic lifestyle magazine.
home-decorfurniturekitchenware
bettergoods
Owned by Walmart Inc.
Walmart's elevated private label food brand launched in 2024, offering chef-inspired, trend-forward gourmet products at affordable prices.
gourmet-foodschef-inspiredtrend-forward
Equate
Owned by Walmart Inc.
Walmart's flagship health and beauty private label brand with 75% U.S. household penetration, ranking as the second most popular store brand in America, offering over-the-counter medications and personal care products at affordable prices.
health-carepersonal-careover-the-counter
Fabuloso
Owned by Walmart Inc.
Walmart-owned multipurpose cleaner brand offering affordable and effective cleaning solutions for households.
cleaningmultipurpose-cleanerhousehold
Flipkart
Owned by Walmart Inc.
Indian e-commerce platform owned by Walmart, offering online retail, electronics, fashion, groceries, and digital services.
e-commerceretailonline-shopping
Shop Walmart Inc. Brands
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Stock Information
Walmart Inc. Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +World's largest retailer by revenue with unmatched scale in supplier negotiations and logistics
- +Dominant position in US grocery provides a high-frequency, resilient revenue base
- +Flipkart provides exposure to India's rapidly growing e-commerce market
- +Walmart+ subscription and Walmart Connect advertising represent high-margin growth opportunities
- +Walton family controlling interest provides long-term strategic stability
Considerations
- -Thin retail margins mean that revenue growth does not translate proportionally into profit growth
- -Intense competition from Amazon in e-commerce requires sustained investment to maintain relevance
- -Labor cost pressures from minimum wage increases and employee benefit demands affect profitability
- -International operations have had mixed results, with exits from Germany, South Korea, and the UK
- -Scale creates regulatory scrutiny regarding market power and competitive practices
Frequently Asked Questions About Walmart Inc.
What does Walmart own?
Walmart Inc. owns and operates Walmart discount stores, Walmart Supercenters, Walmart Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club warehouse clubs in the United States. Internationally, Walmart owns a majority stake in Flipkart, India's leading e-commerce platform; Walmart Mexico (Walmex), the largest retailer in Mexico; Walmart Canada; and operations in Central America, Chile, China, and other markets. Walmart also owns Walmart+, its subscription membership service, and Walmart Connect, its retail media advertising network.
Is Walmart publicly traded?
Yes, Walmart Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker WMT. The company has been publicly listed since 1970. The Walton family, descendants of founder Sam Walton, collectively hold approximately 46% of Walmart's shares through Walton Enterprises LLC and other entities, giving them effective control over the company. The remaining shares are held by institutional investors and public shareholders.
Who founded Walmart?
Walmart was founded by Sam Walton, who opened the first Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas on July 2, 1962. Walton had previously operated Ben Franklin variety stores as a franchisee and had developed a deep understanding of retail operations. His concept was to offer a wide range of merchandise at consistently low prices in smaller towns underserved by larger retailers. Sam Walton died in April 1992 at the age of 74. The Walton family continues to hold a controlling stake in the company.
Where is Walmart headquartered?
Walmart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA, where the company has been based since its founding. The company's global headquarters and principal executive offices are located in Bentonville. Walmart operates more than 10,500 stores and clubs across more than 20 countries, with its largest concentration of stores in the United States.
How many stores does Walmart operate?
Walmart operates more than 10,500 stores and clubs across more than 20 countries. In the United States, Walmart operates approximately 4,600 stores under the Walmart banner and approximately 600 Sam's Club locations. Internationally, Walmart operates stores in Mexico, Canada, China, Central America, Chile, and other markets, and holds a majority stake in Flipkart, India's leading e-commerce platform.
Who owns Walmart?
Walmart Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE, but the Walton family holds a controlling interest of approximately 46% of shares through Walton Enterprises LLC and other entities. The Walton family, descendants of founder Sam Walton, are among the wealthiest families in the world as a result of this stake. The remaining approximately 54% of shares are held by institutional investors and public shareholders. Doug McMillon serves as President and CEO.
Sources & Further Reading
- Walmart Corporate Website
- Walmart ESG Report 2024
- SEC EDGAR Filing: Walmart Inc. (10-K)
- CDP Climate Disclosure Walmart Profile
- EPA Green Power Partnership
- Project Gigaton Initiative
- Walmart Sustainability Hub
- Retail Sustainability Leadership Analysis
- Science Based Targets Initiative
- Fortune 500 List 2025
- Dow Jones Sustainability Index
Jobs at Walmart Inc.
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