What worldwide retailer is based in Arkansas?

The worldwide retailer based in Arkansas is Wal-Mart, now officially styled Walmart.

The company’s Arkansas roots go back to 1962, when Sam Walton opened the first Walmart store in Rogers. Walton’s discount-retailing strategy emphasized low prices, high sales volume, and efficient distribution. The company soon expanded across the United States, while keeping its corporate base in Bentonville, Arkansas, in the northwestern part of the state.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. was incorporated in 1969. Its headquarters remains in Bentonville, even though the retailer operates stores, clubs, websites, and supply networks across many countries. The company also owns Sam’s Club, the membership warehouse chain founded by Walton in 1983.

A common mix-up is confusing the company’s origin with its headquarters: the first store opened in Rogers, while Bentonville is the corporate home. Another is the spelling. “Wal-Mart” was the long-used form, but the company adopted the single-word Walmart brand in 2008. The stored answer refers to the same retailer.