Fact Sheets

Walmart is committed to using its scale and reach to help solve the hunger challenge in America – stepping up the company’s hunger relief efforts and calling on its U.S. associates, customers, government and other corporations to join the fight.

At Walmart, we appreciate the service and sacrifice of our nation’s military men and women, their families, and our veterans. We strive to support their heroism in a variety of ways, and have traditionally worked to understand and address some of the specific and special unmet needs facing the military community. 

At Walmart, we understand how critical education is to the lives and well-being of all Americans. By supporting education, the Walmart Foundation ensures that the leaders of tomorrow have access to the quality education opportunities they need to be successful today.

In the U.S., Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $467 million in cash and in-kind gifts in fiscal year ending 2010 (FYE10)—an $89 million increase over the previous year’s giving. At a time when food banks are being accessed more than ever, Walmart doubled donations to Feeding America, giving more than 127 million pounds of nutritious food to U.S. food banks, the equivalent of nearly 100 million meals.

In the U.S., Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $467 million in cash and in-kind gifts in fiscal year ending 2010—an $89 million increase over the previous year’s giving. The Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, sustainability and health and wellness.

Community: We believe in a philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally. We know we can make the greatest impact on our communities by supporting causes that are important to our customers and our neighborhoods. In 2008, Walmart international operations and corporate foundations donated more than $45 million to our communities around the world. International associates and customers contributed an additional $29 million through company sponsored fundraising activities.

Walmart by the numbers

Walmart saves people money so they can live better. An independently certified study found that our company saves the average American household $3,100 per year.* We want our customers and our communities to be healthy, which has led us to offer in-store clinics and $4 prescription medicines. Walmart is also becoming a more sustainable company by innovating to conserve energy, minimizing waste and introducing affordable, environmentally friendly products. Recognized as the country’s largest corporate giver of cash to charitable causes, Walmart makes the majority of our charitable donations locally where we can have the greatest impact. According to Nielsen estimates, more than 200 million people in the U.S. shop at Walmart each year, choosing us to save them time and money.

In a speech to Walmart store managers in Kansas City on January 23, 2008, Walmart CEO and President Lee Scott laid out the company’s vision for addressing major issues that are important to the future of the company and the world.

At Walmart, helping communities is what we do every day. And when a crisis strikes this becomes an even greater priority.

Walmart's growth in the U.S. market has sparked increasing debate about the economic impact of its expansion. As a contribution to this debate, Walmart commissioned IHS Global Insight in 2005 to undertake an independent research effort to analyze this issue. The goal of this research was to independently and credibly document the national- and local-area impacts in terms of jobs, wages, prices, consumer buying power, productivity, and gross domestic product (GDP).1

Walmart provides economic opportunities for our customers and associates.

Information Resources, Inc. released a report, titled “Walmart, Helping Consumers Navigate a Transforming Economy,” that highlights Walmart’s exceptional position for growth within the struggling U.S. economy. The research concluded that Walmart’s ability to offer goods at low prices and its improvements to the total shopping experience are resonating with a broader mix of consumers, who are now reaping the benefits of shopping at Walmart. The current strategy adopted by Walmart allows consumers, suppliers and stakeholders to withstand the changing U.S. economy.

At Walmart, we understand that more and more families are facing financial challenges due to today’s tough economy, and we are committed to supporting the millions of consumers who are not using traditional checking accounts to manage their finances. In line with this commitment, Walmart is stepping up its money services efforts and launching “Operation Main Street: Money Management,” a program which includes a $3 Rollback price on the Walmart MoneyCard and a focus on financial literacy.

En Walmart, entendemos que cada vez más familias enfrentan desafíos financieros debido a la economía difícil actual, y asumimos el compromiso de apoyar a millones de consumidores que no utilizan cuentas corrientes tradicionales para administrar sus finanzas. Junto con este compromiso, Walmart aumenta sus esfuerzos para ofrecer servicios monetarios y lanza “Operación Calle Mayor: administración del dinero” (“Operation Main Street: Money Management”), un programa que incluye un precio de reducción de $3 en la tarjeta Walmart MoneyCard y se concentra en el entendimiento financiero.

Los consumidores sin una relación bancaria son los que no tienen acceso a los servicios financieros tradicionales. Los consumidores que los usan de forma insuficiente pueden tener acceso a los servicios financieros, pero no los usan con regularidad.

Unbanked consumers are those who lack access to mainstream financial services. Underbanked consumers may have access to financial services, but don’t use them regularly.

The CATO Institute recently issued an article in its publication, the Regulation, on Walmart’s impact on small “mom and pop” businesses, titled “Has Walmart Buried Mom and Pop? (2008)”  The article concluded that the popular and publicly-accepted belief that Walmart destroys small businesses in its path is a misconception.

Scholars from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) detailed the benefits of big-box retailers, such as Walmart, to consumers, workers and the economy in the book, “The Walmart Revolution.”1 Their research and analysis concluded that Walmart’s economic impact is more positive than negative, and that the negative impacts are minimized by gains associated with the retailer’s existence. The book indicated that Americans benefit as a result from Walmart presence in communities and credits Walmart as being “part of the solution to the problem of poverty in America.” By focusing on community impact, consumers and employee relations, the book indicated that Walmart’s impact is far-reaching and provides many social and economic benefits.

Global Insight 2007 study

University scholars researched the age-old question “Is Walmart good for the economy?” The study, “The Effects of Walmart Supercenters on Grocery Prices in New England (2008)”1 focused on the impact of Supercenters on grocery prices, and its competitive effects on prices at conventional supermarkets.

As the world’s largest retailer and one of the nation’s largest providers of health benefits, Walmart recognizes it has an enormous opportunity to positively impact the lives of our associates, customers and communities. We are uniquely positioned to be an advocate and ally for them and their health.

The Clinic at Walmart offers convenient hours, up-front price transparency and walk-in service, all designed to affordably extend the care and service of local health care providers.

Walmart Vision Centers are dedicated to providing the best value for eye care, which is essential to the health and well being of our customers.

Walmart forever changed the pharmaceutical landscape with the introduction of our $4 Prescription Program in September 2006, saving customers more than $3 billion to date. In an effort to save people money so they can live better, healthier lives, we also offer a $10 prescription program on 90-day supplies of approximately 300 generic medications. Walmart offers $9 asthma inhalers, a prescription smoking cessation starter pack, and affordably-priced diabetes management products, including insulin. Our mail delivery program sends the necessary prescriptions to your door, even if you don’t live near a Walmart, Neighborhood Market or Sam’s Club Pharmacy. All of these are bold, innovative steps committed to continuing to raise the quality of our offerings while driving down healthcare costs for Americans.

At Walmart Argentina, we are proud of the positive economic impact we have on communities.

At Walmart Brazil, we are proud of the positive impact we have on communities.

At Walmart Canada, we are proud of the positive impact we have on communities.

At D&S, we are proud of the positive impact we have on communities.

At Walmart China, opportunity means continuous engagement with customers, suppliers, our associates and the communities where we operate. This is a long-term strategy for our business in China, including delivering real value to our customers, building and keeping mutually-beneficial partnerships with our suppliers, and providing our associates with development and career opportunities.

Walmart Centroamérica is the region’s largest retailer, with more than 500 stores and over 30,000 associates in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Walmart Centroamérica is the region’s largest retailer, with more than 500 stores and over 30,000 associates in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Walmart Centroamérica is the region’s largest retailer, with more than 500 stores and over 30,000 associates in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Walmart Centroamérica is the region’s largest retailer, with more than 500 stores and over 30,000 associates in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Bharti Walmart Private Limited is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises, one of India's leading business groups with interests in telecom, agri-business, insurance and retail, and Walmart.

In May 2002, Walmart acquired a 6.1 percent stake in Seiyu. In December 2005, Wal-Mart acquired a majority interest in Seiyu, making Seiyu a Walmart subsidiary, and on December 5, 2007, Walmart‘s tender offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Seiyu was completed successfully, raising Walmart’s ownership of Seiyu from 50.9 percent to 95.1 percent.

In 1991, Walmart entered into a joint venture with Cifra with the opening of a Sam’s Club in Mexico City, the first market in Walmart’s International division. In 1997, Walmart acquired a majority position in Cifra, and in February 2000 the name changed to Walmart de México (WALMEX). In November 2006, Walmart de México received a license from Mexico’s Finance Ministry to organize and operate a bank in the country. In November 2007, Walmart bank began operations with 16 branches in five states of Mexico.

In September 2005, Wal-Mart acquired a 33 1/3 percent interest in CARHCO from the Dutch retailer Royal Ahold NV. In February 2006, Wal-Mart increased its interest to 51% and the name CARHCO was changed to Wal-Mart Centroamérica. Wal-Mart Centroamérica is the region’s largest retailer, with more than 500 stores and over 30,000 associates in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

In June 1999, ASDA was acquired by Walmart, and in recent years, has grown to become Britain’s second largest supermarket.

Since the early days of our company, the ability to move product from place to place quickly and efficiently has been a key driver in Walmart’s success. Today, technology, innovation and the commitment of our associates continue to drive Walmart Logistics’ mission of providing Walmart customers and Sam’s Club members an outstanding shopping experience that is not only uniquely tailored to their community, but saves them money so they can live better.

Saving people money to help them live better was the goal that Sam Walton envisioned when he opened the doors to the first Walmart store. Today, more than 40 years later, that commitment is especially meaningful to our customers and we continue to deliver that promise to families. It’s the focus that underlies everything we do at Walmart.

Walmart.com (www.walmart.com) is the online retail outlet of Walmart stores. Our purpose is to help our customers save money and live better by offering them the best values on a large assortment of quality products and services online, while providing an easy, convenient shopping experience at Walmart.com. Walmart.com was launched in Fall 2000, and we are headquartered in Brisbane, Calif. (Northern California’s Silicon Valley).

At Walmart, we know being an efficient and profitable business and being a good steward of the environment go hand in hand. In 2005, as part of our commitment to protect our nation’s natural resources, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and Walmart launched Acres for America, with the goal to permanently protect one acre of important wildlife habitat in the United States for every acre of land developed by Walmart. The program was designed to completely offset the company’s land footprint in the United States. Pledging $35 million over 10 years to the project, Walmart committed to protecting enough land to account for its stores’ current land-use and development through 2015.

At Walmart, we believe that being a profitable and efficient business goes hand-in-hand with being a good steward of the environment. One of our goals is to sell products that sustain our natural resources and the environment. Our Food, Agriculture and Seafood Sustainable Value Network is working with farmers, ranchers and fisheries to provide our customers with access to fresh food at affordable prices. One way we are able to do this is by purchasing more produce from local farmers and purchasing products that are grown and produced by people who use sustainable practices in their businesses.

At Walmart, we believe being a profitable and efficient business goes hand-in-hand with being a good steward of the environment. In an effort to reach Walmart’s larger goal of being supplied by 100 percent renewable energy, our Alternative Fuels Sustainable Value Network is working to incorporate renewable fuels into our retail fuel locations and for use in our fleet of trucks.

At Walmart when we talk about chemicals and the environment, we are talking about ensuring the safety of the products used inside and outside your home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it is estimated that more children are injured every year from household chemicals than firearms. As a result, we are taking the initiative to provide products that are safer for mother, child and the environment.

On October 22, 2008 Walmart took the next step in its sustainability journey by hosting an unprecedented gathering of more than 1,000 leading suppliers, Chinese officials and NGOs in Beijing, China and outlined a series of aggressive goals and expectations to build a more environmentally and socially responsible global supply chain.  These efforts and others are helping Walmart follow through on commitments the company made in January about China and our mission of saving people money so they can live better. 

Walmart believes being a profitable and efficient business goes hand-in-hand with being a good steward of the environment. We believe ALL families should have access to affordable, energy-efficient, and sustainable products, like light bulbs that can help reduce utility bills while also helping protect the environment, fruits and vegetables sourced from local farms, fresh seafood caught in a responsible way, clothes made from organic cotton, and forest and paper products that are safe for families, and are produced, packaged and delivered to our stores in an environmentally preferable way.

On September 26, 2007, former Walmart president and CEO, Lee Scott, announced a bold initiative to sell only concentrated liquid laundry detergent at U.S. Walmart stores, Sam’s Club locations and Neighborhood Markets as part of its commitment to sustainability. Transitioning to only concentrated liquid laundry detergent demonstrates Walmart’s unique position to drive change across an entire industry for the benefit of business, customers and the environment. We completed this goal in May 2008 and in 2009, expanded our efforts to bring more sustainable detergents to our Americas region.

At Walmart, we know that being an efficient and profitable business and being a good steward of the environment go hand-in-hand. One of our goals is to sell products that sustain and protect the environment. Our Electronics Network is working with various organizations, government agencies, suppliers and other interested companies to develop and sell environmentally friendly and energy-efficient electronics. We are also seeking solutions to the growing problem of E-waste (electronic waste) by offering recycling services to our customers.   

Walmart is testing innovative technologies to help double fleet efficiency.

On September 24, 2008, at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, Walmart announced that it would work to reduce the weight of its global plastic shopping bag waste by an average of 33 percent per store by 2013 using a baseline established from January through December 2007. With millions of dollars spent each year purchasing plastic shopping bags and more than 176 million customers visiting our stores each week, reducing the number of plastic shopping bags we give away and increasing the availability and affordability of reusable bags demonstrates Walmart’s unique position to drive change across an entire industry for the benefit of business, customers and the environment. Achieving this goal could reduce plastic bag waste equivalent to 9 billion bags per year from Walmart’s existing stores alone.

On February 25, 2010, Walmart announced plans to eliminate 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its global supply chain by the end of 2015. Reductions can come from any phase of a products lifecycle, including sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, customer use and end of life disposal.

At Walmart, we know that being an efficient and profitable business and being a good steward of the environment are goals that can work together. One of our goals is to sell products that sustain and protect the environment. Our Jewelry Network is helping Walmart move toward this goal by working to ensure that our suppliers are adhering to the best environmental standards in all phases of jewelry production.

At Walmart, we know that being an efficient and profitable business and being a good steward of the environment are goals that can work together. Two company-wide goals are to create zero waste and to sell environmentally friendly products.

At Walmart, we believe that being an efficient and profitable business goes hand-in-hand with being a good steward of the environment. One of Walmart’s company-wide sustainability goals is to generate zero-net waste. By offering our customers the option to bring their groceries and purchases home in reusable bags, we are reducing the amount of plastic we use and the amount of waste that ends up in the homes of our customers.

At Walmart, we believe being a profitable and efficient business goes hand-in-hand with being a good steward of the environment. In an effort to reach our goal of being supplied by 100 percent renewable energy, we are finding more ways to implement and utilize renewable energy sources in our stores, Sam’s Club locations and distribution centers.

At Walmart we believe being an efficient and profitable business goes hand-in-hand with being a good steward of the environment.

On July 16, 2009, Walmart announced plans to develop a worldwide sustainable product index, which is expected to lead to higher quality, lower costs and measure the sustainability of products and help customers, live better in the 21st century. One of the biggest challenges we all face is measuring the sustainability of a product. Walmart believes a research-driven approach involving universities, retailers, suppliers and non-government organizations (NGOs) can accelerate and broaden this effort.

At Walmart, we believe being a profitable and efficient business goes hand-in-hand with being a good steward of the environment. Two of our company-wide environmental goals are to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy and to create zero waste. To move our company toward these goals, we created the Buildings Sustainable Value Network, which helps design and build more energy- and water-efficient stores and clubs in our U.S. operations.

At Walmart, we know being an efficient and profitable business can go hand-in-hand with being a good steward of the environment. Two company-wide goals at Walmart are to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy and to create zero waste. Our company operates one of the largest private trucking fleets in the U.S. and the U.K. Today, our Logistics Sustainable Value Network (SVN) is working to make our entire truck fleet more efficient and create more sustainable distribution centers.

In 2005, Walmart mapped out environmental goals that would lead the company toward a sustainable future. One of these goals is to provide our customers with products that sustain our resources and protect the environment.

At Walmart we believe being an efficient and profitable business goes hand-in-hand with being a good steward of the environment. One of Walmart’s company-wide sustainability goals is to send zero waste to landfills. To move toward this goal, we focus on the three “Rs” – reduce, reuse and recycle. By keeping these three words in mind, we continue to develop new initiatives that strengthen our business and our ability to deliver on our mission to help customers save money and live better.

At Walmart, we believe being a profitable and efficient business goes hand-in-hand with being a good steward of the environment. In an effort to reach Walmart’s long-term goal of being supplied by 100 percent renewable energy, we are committed to finding more ways to implement and utilize renewable energy sources in our stores, Sam’s Club locations and distribution centers.

At Walmart, we know that being an efficient and profitable business goes hand-in-hand with being a good steward of the environment. Two of our company-wide goals are to sell products that sustain and protect our resources, and to generate zero-net waste. Through the Forest and Paper Network, we aim to reduce wasted paper and packaging from products, achieve transparency of our wood supply chain, and eliminate unwanted wood from our supply chain.