Walmart: The Rise to Retail and Employment Dominance
- Marcelo Serafim
- Feb 26
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Walmart’s journey to becoming the world’s largest retailer and private employer is a tale of vision, scale, and relentless efficiency. Founded in 1962 by Sam Walton in Rogers, Arkansas, the company began as a single discount store aimed at offering low prices to rural Americans. Walton’s philosophy of "everyday low prices" (EDLP) resonated with cost-conscious shoppers, setting the stage for explosive growth. By 2025, Walmart operates over 10,500 stores across 24 countries, employs approximately 2.1 million people, and serves more than 230 million customers weekly—a testament to its unparalleled reach.
