Rank: 1 Fortune 500, 2014
Previous rank: 2, Fortune 500, 2013
CEO: Michael T. Duke
Wal-Mart reclaimed the top spot in the Fortune 500 in 2012 after slipping to No. 2 last year.
The retailer’s refocus on low prices continued to attract frugal shoppers into the discounter’s U.S. stores.
For fiscal year 2012, sales rose 5.9%, to $443.9 billion. Despite relatively strong sales, Wal-Mart must hold onto its U.S. shoppers, which make up 62% of the chain’s net sales.
Beyond the U.S., Wal-Mart continues to investigate allegations that executives in Mexico paid more than $24 million in bribes to speed the retailer’s expansion there. The probe has widened to Brazil, India and China.
Headquarters:
702 S.W. Eighth St.
Bentonville, AR. 72716
479-273-4000
Website: www.walmart.com
What people around the world think of Wal-Mart Stores?
- Some people actually prefer this. I love that I can go into walmart and not have a pushy sales person hovering over me.- Ryan P
- The Walton family is now worth over 115 billion collectively. Their profits come at an unbelievable price for the rest of society.- Ram Stein
- According to The New York Times, Walmart played a significant role in blocking reforms to have retailers pay more for apparel in order to help Bangladesh factories improve safety standards.- Chris Miller
- Walmart could be much larger if they had more employees running cash registers. I avoid WM like the plague because I’m not willing to stand in line for 20 minutes to check out.- David Dix
good article