She is one of the richest and most influential dynasties in the United States. Through its majority stake in the retailer Walmart, which it founded in 1962, the Walton family has a global business empire with more than 10,000 stores in 20 countries.
The story begins in 1962. So in his thirties, Sam Walton opens the first Wal-Mart Discount City in Rogers, Arkansas, with the idea of offering very low prices to attract more customers. The graduate in economics, having learned the management and operation of a business in J.C. Penney stores, quickly developed his network by opening other shops in Arkansas and neighboring states. His business is based on several pillars: centralizing logistics and stocks to reduce costs and maintain preferential rates, enhancing the customer experience with proximity to the public, choosing small towns and rural areas, and pamper the employees through good relationships, bonuses and participations creating a strong commitment. A profitable strategy.
Sam Walton, ahead of his time
In 1970, with the success of its first stores, Walmart enters the stock market. If the Waltons retain a majority interest, this introduction allows them to raise funds without losing control of the company through a holding system. Sam Walton also includes his sons (Jim Walton, S. Robson Walton, John Walton) in important positions, strongly believing in the power of family management. Alice Walton, his daughter, turns more towards finance and even creates her own investment bank, Llama Company. today as the beginning of the centralization of stocks.
The development of the company is fulgurant. In the early 70s, Walmart had 38 establishments, then 125 in 1975. An impressive 3 times resulting from a real revolution in commerce. The family indeed created regional distribution centers, which are now considered as the beginning of the centralization of stocks.
In the 80s, no fewer than 276 stores were opened, then more than 880 in 1985. Walmart then becomes the largest distribution chain in the United States by number of establishments and turnover. During this decade, the company innovates by using the first advanced computer systems to track stocks and sales, while launching the Sam’s Club in 83 (warehouse stores). At the same time, with his wife Helen, Sam Walton created in 1987 the Walton Family Foundation intended for philanthropic activities.
A few years later, the family began its international expansion with openings in Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom. She opens supercenters, merger establishments between the supermarket and the retail store where one can find a very wide range of products, always with low prices and technological support for management.
A family continuity after the death of the patriarch
In 1992, Sam Walton died but made arrangements to ensure the continuity of his business. Joined the firm in 1969, his eldest son S. Robson Walton (Rob Walton) took over as chairman of the board of directors of Walmart – until 2015. More than 2300 stores are counted from 1995.
The expansion continues with China, Brazil, Europe and Latin America. The largest retailer in the world integrates e-commerce in the 2000s and boosts their customer database. In 2005, more than 5,000 stores were opened in the United States. That year, John T.Walton, son of Sam, dies in a plane accident, he who had been an administrator since 1992 and a pilot. Jim Walton, his brother, then replaces him in this position – until 2016. Alice Walton, only daughter of Sam, is the only one who did not sit on the board of directors, preferring to focus on her philanthropic and artistic projects. Jim’s son, Steuart Walton, has been on the board for almost 10 years.
In 2010, Walmart surpassed 8,400 stores worldwide, with more than 2 million employees, becoming the largest private employer on the planet. The economic crisis is benefiting society, with customers seeking ever lower prices. Five years later, nearly 12,000 shops are open in 27 countries. Some markets work less well (Germany, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Japan…) but others are explored like South Africa and the firm focuses on its flagship territories, notably the United States.
After Covid, Walmart is reducing the number of its stores – about 10,770 in 2025 – to increase its digital presence. Walmart is increasingly investing in e-commerce to catch up with Amazon’s hegemony, as with the acquisition of the Jet.com and Flipkart platforms in 2016 and 2018 and the launch of Walmart Pay. For a few years, it is on AI that the firm has set its sights, while automating its processes as much as possible.
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Featured photo : © DR
