Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century
Samuel M. Walton
Wal-Mart Corporation
1962–1988
1962–1988
Wal-Mart Corporation
1962–1988
1962–1988
Walton achieved great success at Wal-Mart, primarily by focusing on an often-ignored group of consumers: small-town residents. Walton’s formula for success entailed building super-stores that sold a wide variety of low-priced goods, mostly to residents of towns with less than 10,000 people. By 1987, Wal-Marts numbered over 1,000 and had sales of $14 billion. Gaining momentum from the success of Wal-Mart, Walton created the highly successful bulk food store chain, Sam’s Wholesale Club, which also earned revenues in the billions. Walton’s enterprise has been the driving force behind the changing nature of discount shopping.
Personal
- Born-Died: 1918–1992
- Birthplace: Oklahoma
- Race: White
- Gender: Male
- Father: Owner, Small Business
Education / Military
- Undergraduate: University of Missouri
- Military Service: Army