Walmart operates the world’s largest retail chain by revenue, Walmart.
Walmart was founded by Sam Walton, who opened the first Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962. The company expanded by emphasizing low prices, large stores, efficient distribution, and locations that served smaller cities and towns. Its business now includes supercenters, discount stores, neighborhood markets, e-commerce, and membership services.
Walmart became a public company in 1970 and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1972. The Walton family remains a major shareholder, although Walmart is publicly owned and traded.
Walmart’s enormous revenue comes from selling groceries, general merchandise, fuel, and services across multiple countries. Revenue and market capitalization measure different things: revenue records sales over a period, while market capitalization measures the stock market value of outstanding shares. That distinction explains why the biggest retailer by sales is not always the most valuable retailer in the stock market.