These Vintage Photos Show the Evolution of Walmart
As Walmart celebrates the 62nd anniversary of its first store opening on July 2, 1962, let's take a look back at the early beginnings of one of the world's largest retailers.
Walmart founder Sam Walton and his wife Helen, on their wedding day, February 14, 1943. At the time, Sam was a management trainee with the J.C. Penney Company.
Photo: Courtesy of Walmart
In 1945, Sam and Helen Walton purchased their first Ben Franklin "variety store" in Newport, Arkansas. Within five years, Sam was able to make his Ben Franklin store the top franchise in the state. But when it came time for the couple to renew their lease, the landlord refused, so they were forced to look elsewhere.
Photo: Courtesy of The Walmart Museum
On May 9, 1950, Sam and Helen bought out a Harrison's variety store in Bentonville, Arkansas. They opened a new Ben Franklin store and named it Walton's 5&10.
Photo: Courtesy of The Walmart Museum
Walton's 5&10 discount store became quite the success. It had a central location right in the heart of Bentonville Square, as pictured here, during a Christmas event in 1950.
Photo: Courtesy of The Walmart Museum
In the 1960s, Sam owned nine Ben Franklin stores but viewed the concept of variety stores as limiting. He decided that discount stores were the future. In 1962, he opened his first “Wal-Mart Discount City” in Rogers, Arkansas.
Photo: Courtesy of The Walmart Museum
The original grand opening flyer promised customers low prices. The store celebrated its grand opening on July 2, 1962.
Photo: Courtesy of The Walmart Museum
Lines quickly formed for the opening of the store, which was self-labeled as the "1st" Quality Discount Center."
Photo: Courtesy of The Walmart Museum
“I knew we were onto something. I knew in my bones it was going to work." —Sam Walton, pictured inside the first Wal-Mart
Photo: Courtesy of The Walmart Museum
As popularity grew, several more stores began to pop up in the Arkansas and Missouri area.
Photo: Courtesy of The Walmart Museum
By October 1970, Sam and his brother Bud had opened 38 stores and were producing $44 million in annual sales. It was then that the Walton's decided to take the company public to continue its expansion.
Photo: Courtesy of The Walmart Museum
In the late '70s, "Walmart acquired Mohr Value discount stores in Illinois, and, in 1981, 92 Kuhn’s Big K stores in Tennessee and other southern states." Their portfolio began to rapidly expand.
Photo: Courtesy of The Walmart Museum
In the 1980s, a market emerged with consumers and small business owners desiring to buy merchandise in bulk. So Sam, being the savvy businessman that he was, decided to open a new chain of stores to compete with this specific market. The first Sam's Club opened in Midwest City, Oklahoma, in 1983.
Photo: Courtesy of The Walmart Museum
The original Walton's 5&10 is now home to The Walmart Museum, which houses a Walmart exhibit, the original store, and the retro-themed Spark Café Soda Fountain.
Photo: Courtesy of Walmart
The museum underwent several renovations and celebrated it's grand re-opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony in 2011.
Photo: Courtesy of Walmart
The inside of the original Walton's 5&10 still honors a vintage aesthetic, offering retro toys, souvenirs, and candies.
Photo: Courtesy of Walmart
The Walmart Museum also features a replica of Sam's original office, which was recreated from photographs following his passing in 1992.
Photo: Flickr/Martin Lewison
The Walmart Superstore in 2019.
Photo: Courtesy of Walmart
Today, there are nearly 12,000 Walmart stores across the globe. That's pretty impressive for a little shop that started in Arkansas.
Photo: Courtesy of Walmart
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