Walmart was the world’s largest company by revenue on the 2025 Fortune Global 500 list.
The Fortune Global 500 ranks companies by total revenue, not by market capitalization, profit, employee count, or brand value. Walmart’s enormous retail operations, including stores, supermarkets, wholesale clubs, and e-commerce, have repeatedly placed it near the top of the ranking.
Sam Walton founded the first Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962. The company expanded through a low-price strategy, large-scale purchasing, efficient distribution, and a dense network of stores. Its international operations include ownership or investment in retail businesses in several countries.
Revenue rankings and market-capitalization rankings measure different things. A company can lead the world in sales while another leads in investor valuation. Walmart is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker WMT, making it one of the most prominent listed retailers.