T. Ozbun
Research expert covering food retail and all food topics for Italy and Brazil
Walmart - Statistics & Facts
From its humble beginnings, Walmart has grown to become the largest retailer globally. Formerly known as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. it was founded in 1962 by Sam Walton, when he and his brother James “Bud” Walton opened the first Wal-Mart Discount City in Rogers, Arkansas. Walmart's remarkable journey has established it as one of the world's most renowned and valuable brands, operating in 24 countries through its 10,623 discount stores, supercenters, neighborhood markets, and warehouse membership clubs. Walmart’s commitment to offering low prices and a wide selection of products has given the retail chain an edge over its competitors.
Walmart’s financial performance
In 2023, the company generated global net sales of nearly 606 billion U.S. dollars. These figures have grown significantly in recent years; in 2023, they were up 6.7 percent from the previous fiscal year with sales boosted during the holiday season. This growth was a clear sign that budget-conscious consumers, despite cutting back on overall spending due to inflation, flocked to Walmart stores in search of better deals on groceries and other items. Walmart’s gross profit margin, positively influenced by the company’s performance, has remained stable at around 23 to 25 percent over the last several years.Walmart by division
Walmart is mainly divided into three divisions: Sam's Club, Walmart International, and Walmart U.S., with the latter generating most of the company’s sales. While Walmart U.S. operates only in the U.S. and the international division has a presence in 24 countries around the world, Sam's Club, which operates both in the U.S. and abroad, has the distinction of being a members-only warehouse retailer, much like its main competitor Costco. In 2023, Walmart's U.S. segment alone generated around 421 billion U.S. dollars and showed growth compared to previous years, while the international segment, with approximately 101 billion U.S. dollars in sales, showed a downward trend. Mexico was the largest international market for Walmart, with 2,862 locations as of January 2023.Consumer behavior and E-commerce
For millions of consumers worldwide, Walmart is the main source for groceries, household items, clothing, and more. In 2023, Walmart recorded about 240 million customer visits per week and its warehouse division, Sam’s club, generated 2.6 billion U.S. dollars from membership fees. According to a survey conducted by Statista in 2023, 93 percent of consumers were familiar with the Walmart brand and 65 percent appeared to use it for their grocery purchases. Walmart also operates a successful e-commerce site, which is particularly popular at the start of the holiday season. Its online sales have grown exponentially in recent years, generating around 52 million U.S. dollars in 2022.
