Walmart is an American multinational retailer that operates as a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. It is characterized by being one of the most successful retail chains in the world, with a presence in more than 20 countries. Its business model is based on offering a wide variety of products at low prices, making it an accessible option for consumers of different socioeconomic levels.
The company is also known for introducing different formats, such as discount stores, supermarkets, and online platforms, to meet customer needs. This article will discuss who its founders were, as well as the current Walmart owner, who is the CEO of Walmart, its beginnings, how this company is made up, and what interesting facts there have been since its founding.
Table of Contents
Who is the Walmart Owner?
As already mentioned, Walmart is one of the largest and most recognized supermarket chains worldwide. This is a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol WMT. This is important when asking who owns Walmart because being publicly traded means that its shares are available to investors in the financial markets. It does not have a parent company, as Walmart Inc. is the main entity and operates as an independent corporation.
As for the composition of its shareholders, a significant portion of the ownership remains tied to the Walton family, who are the descendants of the founder. The Walton family owns approximately 47% of the company’s shares through different entities such as Walton Enterprises and Walton Family Holdings Trust, giving them considerable influence on strategic and operational decisions.
In addition to the Walton family, major shareholders include large financial institutions such as Vanguard Group and BlackRock, which own significant percentages of the shares due to their investment and pension funds. Walmart’s public structure allows it to access additional capital to continue innovating and expanding globally while retaining its founding values of customer service and accessibility.
Who is the CEO of Walmart?
Doug McMillon, whose full name is Carl Douglas McMillon, is the current CEO of Walmart Inc., a position he has held since February 1, 2014. McMillon, who began his career at Walmart as an associate in a distribution warehouse during his youth, has dedicated more than three decades to the company, serving in various key roles before assuming leadership.
Before being named CEO, McMillon successfully led the Walmart International and Sam’s Club divisions, where he demonstrated a strong ability to adapt to diverse markets.
During his tenure, McMillon has significantly transformed Walmart in several aspects. In his first years, he implemented a wage increase for hourly employees, allocating $2.7 billion to improve their working conditions, which affected 40% of workers in the United States. He also strengthened the company’s commitment to e-commerce, investing $1 billion in 2015 to create an integrated and competitive shopping experience.
Additionally, McMillon has promoted environmental sustainability policies, such as the adoption of LED lighting in its stores and a commitment to renewable energy. Under his leadership, Walmart has also taken strong positions on social issues, highlighting decisions such as ceasing the sale of semi-automatic weapons in 2015 and handgun ammunition in 2019.
The History and Organizational Structure of Walmart
Walmart was founded by Sam Walton, a retail visionary, on July 2, 1962, in Rogers, Arkansas. Walton, passionate about sales and focused on offering low prices, began his journey with a Ben Franklin franchise but soon decided to strike out on his own. After opening Walton’s Five and Dime store in 1950, Walton consolidated his philosophy of competitive pricing and a customer-centric approach.
The first Walmart store marked the beginning of a chain focused on small communities where other companies did not compete directly. In 1970, Walmart went public, trading on the New York Stock Exchange with an initial capitalization of $5 billion. This move allowed for rapid expansion. In 1988, Sam Walton stepped down as CEO, although he continued as an advisor. By the time of his death in 1992, Walmart was one of the largest companies in the world, with more than 1,900 stores and thousands of employees.
Corporate Structure
Today, Walmart Inc. is a multinational corporation with several subsidiaries. Its key divisions include Walmart US, Walmart International, and Sam’s Club. Walmart International operates in multiple countries, with brands tailored to local markets, such as Asda in the United Kingdom (before it was sold) and Seiyu in Japan. Sam’s Club, on the other hand, is a warehouse club model that offers products at wholesale prices to its members.
Walmart has acquiring companies such as Jet.com to compete with giants such as Amazon. Another important subsidiary is Flipkart, a leading platform in India that is strengthening its presence in the Asian market.
Walmart has reached numerous milestones since its founding, establishing itself as one of the most prominent companies in the world. In its first year, the chain recorded sales of more than $12 million, an exceptional achievement for a nascent company. In addition, it positioned itself as a pioneer in logistics efficiency, revolutionizing the retail sector with advanced distribution technology. This innovative approach has allowed Walmart to become one of the world’s largest employers, employing more than 2.3 million people globally.
Interesting Facts About Walmart
One of the world’s most influential companies, Walmart has many interesting facts and notable achievements. Its international expansion began with stores in Argentina and Brazil, and in 1999 it took a key step into Europe by acquiring the British chain Asda for $10 billion. In 2001, Fortune recognized it as the largest company in the United States, with revenues exceeding $200 billion and profits of more than $6 billion. By 2005, Walmart operated 6,200 stores in 11 countries, generating annual sales exceeding $300 billion and employing more than 1.5 million people.
During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Walmart stood out for its philanthropic response, donating $20 million and mobilizing 1,500 trucks to provide food and humanitarian aid, as well as assisting its affected workers. Its initial motto, “Always Low Prices,” evolved in 2006 to “Save Money, Live Better,” reflecting its focus on offering competitive prices and satisfying a more diverse public.
A peculiar anecdote is that Sam Walton, its founder, flew over towns in a small plane to identify strategic locations for its stores. Today, his family is one of the richest in the world, with a collective wealth of $237 billion, and several heirs are among the wealthiest people, according to Forbes.
Conclusion
Walmart is a retail giant whose history, structure and philosophy have made a significant impact worldwide. The company emerged with a focus on low prices and exceptional customer service—values ??that have defined its exponential growth. Walmart currently operates in more than 20 countries, with key divisions that have consistently innovated in areas such as e-commerce and advanced logistics. Under the leadership of Doug McMillon, the company has strengthened its commitment to sustainability, improved the working conditions of its employees, and adopted progressive policies on social issues.
FAQ
Who is the Walmart owner?
Walmart is a public company, meaning its shares are available on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol WMT. However, the Walton family, descendants of founder Sam Walton, owns approximately 47% of the shares through Walton Enterprises and Walton Family Holdings Trust. In addition, major financial institutions such as Vanguard Group and BlackRock are also significant shareholders.
Who is the CEO of Walmart, and what has he accomplished during his leadership?
Walmart’s current CEO is Doug McMillon, who has held the position since February 1, 2014. During his tenure, McMillon has driven important changes, such as increasing employee wages, investing in e-commerce, and adopting environmental sustainability policies. He has also taken strong positions on social issues, such as restricting the sale of guns in its stores.
How did Walmart start, and who founded it?
Walmart was founded by Sam Walton on July 2, 1962, in Rogers, Arkansas. Walton, with a background in retail, created Walmart to offer products at low prices in small communities. His business vision was based on logistical efficiency and a customer-centric approach, which allowed the company to grow rapidly.
