N
The Daily Insight

What is the story behind Walmart?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on February 28, 2026

In 1950, the Waltons left Newport for Bentonville, where Sam opened Walton’s 5&10 on the downtown square. Inspired by the early success of his dime store, and driven to bring even greater opportunity and value to his customers, Sam opened the first Walmart in 1962 at the age of 44 in Rogers, Arkansas.

What is Walmart best known for?

Walmart is a global retailer selling a wide variety of merchandise at low prices at 10,500 stores and on its e-commerce sites. Walmart U.S. is the largest, fastest-growing segment measured by operating income growth.

How did Walmart get started?

July 2, 1962, Rogers, AR
Walmart/Founded

What are 5 facts about Walmart?

20 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know about Walmart

  • Walmart Is the World’s Largest Company.
  • They Have a Huge Share of the American Grocery Market.
  • They Were Not Successful in Germany.
  • Founder Sam Walton’s First Store Was a Franchise.
  • The Modern-Day Walmart Museum Used to Be Walton’s Store.

Where was first Walmart?

Rogers, AR
Walmart/Place founded

What are some little known facts about Walmart?

Walmart has more full-time employees — 2.1 million — than seven times the population of Iceland.

  • This year,everyone in the world will make an average of 1.1 purchases at a Walmart.
  • Each week nearly one-third of the U.S.
  • Last year Walmart sold more bananas than any other item.
  • Is Walmart a public corporation?

    Walmart is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company was the world’s largest public corporation in 2010 by revenue. The organisation has approximately 2.1 million workers.

    When did Walmart first open?

    Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart store in 1962 in Bentonville, Arkansas, which he bought as a franchise from another company, and called it Walton’s Five and Dime. On 2nd July 1962 the first proper Wal-Mart was opened in Rogers, Arkansas.

    How long has Walmart been in business?

    Our History. Since the first Walmart store opened in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, we’ve been dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our customers.