Who founded Walmart in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas?

Sam Walton founded Walmart in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas.

Walton opened the first Walmart store on July 2, 1962, after operating variety stores through the Ben Franklin franchise system. He focused on low prices, high sales volume, efficient distribution, and locations outside the largest city centers. That formula helped Walmart expand from a regional chain into one of the world’s largest retailers.

The company was initially named Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and adopted the shorter Walmart name in 2008. Walton’s brother Bud was also important to the company’s early development, but Sam Walton is recognized as Walmart’s founder. Walmart is distinct from Sam’s Club, the warehouse-club chain founded by Walmart in 1983. The company’s market value reflects its enormous retail operations, though its share price and ranking change over time.