Walmart

Walmart is the largest retailer in the world. Walmart was founded by Sam Walton and is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.

History
Walmart was originally Walton's Five-and-Dime. Walton had previously worked at JCPenney. After that, he started the five-and-dime-store. However, he opened the first Walmart in 1962, just like Target and Kmart. The name Wal-Mart was coined by Walton's assistant Robert Bogle. Walmart rapidly grew, due to the low-price merchandise. In 1977, Walmart purchased Mohr-Value and Hutcheson Shoe Company. In 1981, they acquired 92 Kuhn's Big K stores. In 1983, the first Sam's Club opened. In 1987, Walmart and Tom Thumb opened Hypermart USA. However, in 1988, the first Walmart Supercenter opened. Soon the Hypermart USA stores closed. That made Walmart surpass Toys "R" Us as the largest toy seller. In 1991, the first international Walmart opened in Mexico City. After 30 years, in 1992, Walmart surpassed Sears as the largest retailer. In the 90s, Walmart had opened stores in Mexico, Germany, Canada, South America, and South Korea. In 1994, Walmart purchased 91 PACE Membership Warehouse clubs from Kmart and 122 Woolco stores from Woolworth in Canada. The Canada Woolco stores became Walmart Canada stores. In 1998, Walmart opened the first Walmart Neighborhood Market. In 2006, Walmart opened a new type of supercenter that was upscale, so they can attract affluent customers. In 2010, Walmart purchased Vudu. Walmart competes with Target and Kmart, along with other regional retailers.

Store Concepts
Walmart operates several stores:

United States

 * Walmart - discount chain
 * Walmart Supercenter - hypermarket chain
 * Sam's Club - warehouse club
 * Walmart Market - grocery chain

International

 * Mas Club - warehouse club chain in Mexico
 * Walmart Canada - discount chain in Canada
 * Walmex - discount chain in Mexico