Walmart’s retail empire began in 1962 when Sam Walton opened his first store in Rogers, Arkansas. By 1980, the chain operated 276 locations and achieved $1 billion in sales annually. This growth accelerated in the 1990s as Walmart expanded globally, entering China, Canada, and the UK.
The company’s rapid expansion was accompanied by significant changes to its branding. In 1962, Walton’s store used a dash in its name and logo; it later replaced this with bold block letters in 1981. The star symbol was introduced in 1992, followed by the elimination of hyphens altogether in 2008.
Walmart’s “people greeter” program, which welcomed customers to stores, was phased out in 2019, replaced by more comprehensive customer hosting roles. The company’s marketing strategy also evolved, with its iconic “Save money. Live better.” slogan being introduced in 2008.
Kathie Lee Gifford’s clothing line, launched in 1995, sparked controversy due to allegations of child labor in sweatshops in Honduras. However, the incident led to increased awareness and advocacy for corporate responsibility policies.
As Walmart continued to grow, it became a premier destination for holiday shopping, with Black Friday becoming a major event. The company’s shareholders meetings also gained notoriety as star-studded events, featuring celebrities like Reba McEntire and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Today, Walmart operates 10,600 stores in 19 countries, employing 2.1 million people worldwide, making it the largest retailer globally.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-stores-history-old-photos