1980s
A Decade of Firsts
1980
Grand opening of store #315 in Oneonta, Alabama.
May. 1980
I’ve really enjoyed my recent trips to some of our... Read Letter
1980
Grand opening of store #296 in Dardanelle, Arkansas.
Aug. 1980
I’m reminded by the chart on my wall at an early hour... Read Letter
1980
Don Soderquist joins Walmart as executive vice president.
Sep. 1980
Greetings, my friends! Another month and another... Read Letter
Oct. 1980
GOOD ENOUGH IS NOT ENOUGH TODAY. Whatever your work... Read Letter“I get a lot of credit for things that our folks do...I wish the spotlight could be turned on them, individually and collectively, because they're the ones that do it for our customers. They do it every day." ”
Sam Walton
Jan. 1981
Big K Acquisition – A Major Opportunity For Wal-Mart My... Read Letter“Set high goals, encourage competition, and then keep score.”
Sam Walton
Ol' Roy Dog Food
Ol’ Roy was Sam’s favorite hunting dog. When the English Setter died in 1981, Sam honored his old friend by placing his name and likeness on Walmart’s dog-food brand. Today, Ol’ Roy is the world’s leading pet food.
1981
The Sam Walton Community Scholarship fund awards its first 10 scholarships. This is just the beginning of a program that would award over $80 million in scholarships by 2010.
1981–1992
After nearly 20 years, Walmart dropped the frontier feel of the logo and introduced a fresh new look.
1981
Stores open in Georgia and South Carolina.
Aug. 1981
A hearty WELCOME to our Big K associates who are now on... Read Letter
1981
Sam and Helen during a Shareholders float trip.
Sep. 1981
On this Tuesday evening, I’m flying to Bentonville from... Read Letter1981
Walmart acquires 92 Kuhn's Big K stores.
1981
The company's 510,000-square-foot distribution center, the largest yet, opens in Palestine, Texas.
Walmart's ISD is the company's computer support group. These associates design programs and make sure Walmart's systems run properly.
1981
In October, the company opens its first photo-processing plant in Terrell, Texas.
Dec. 1981
Once more, members of my Wal-Mart Family, it’s my... Read Letter1981
There are approximately 41,000 associates in 491 stores. Annual sales reach $2.4 billion.
1982
When Ferold Arend began working for Sam Walton in 1966, only a handful of Walmart stores existed. When he retired in 1982, there were more than 500 stores spread throughout 14 states. Ferold's operational leadership and keen sense of organization were key to expansion.
From Ferold Arend's Desk
Ferold Arend's pen and calendar desk set, as well as a pair of his glasses, are now part of the Walmart Heritage Archives in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Jun. 1982
It appears now on this first day of June that May has... Read Letter1982
Stores open in Florida and Nebraska.
1982
Walmart's 20th anniversary marks $3.4 billion in annual sales.
1983
The first Sam's Club opens in Midwest City, Oklahoma.
Little Known Sparks
The first Walmart Supercenter opened in which Missouri city?
The first Walmart Supercenter opened in Washington, Missouri, in 1988.
1983
Ron Loveless becomes the first general manager of Sam's Club.
1983
New stores open in Indiana, Iowa, New Mexico, and North Carolina.
1983
People greeters make their first appearance at the front doors of Walmart stores.
Jul. 1983
This is my third and final attempt to do my Wal-Mart... Read Letter1983
Walmart's first in-store, one-hour photo lab opens in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
1983
Walmart acquires U.S. Woolco Stores.
1983
Bentonville holds an Appreciation Day celebration for Sam and Helen Walton.
1983
Walmart earns $4.7 billion in annual sales; it has 62,000 associates.
1983
Walmart begins using Universal Product Codes (UPC, or barcodes) at its checkout registers. The barcodes allow Walmart to make sure products stay in stock.
1983
Walmart replaces its old cash registers with a computerized point-of-sale (POS) system that allows customers to check out quickly and accurately.
Feb. 1984
We’ve just completed one very excellent Annual Wal-Mart... Read Letter1984
David Glass is named company president.
1984
Sam Walton keeps his promise to dance the hula on Wall Street if the company achieves a pretax annual profit of 8 percent.
“Celebrate your success and find humor in your failures. Don’t take yourself so seriously. Loosen up and everyone around you will loosen up. Have fun and always show enthusiasm. When all else fails, put on a costume and sing a silly song.”
Sam Walton
1984
Walmart expands into Virginia.
Jul. 1984
WAL-MART: Change-Flexibility-Innovation-Opportunity... Read Letter1984
The first of three Helen's Arts and Crafts stores opens in Springfield, Missouri.
1984
Store associates start using Texlon handheld terminals when reordering merchandise. Upon scanning a shelf label, the unit provides a description of the merchandise, information on previous quantities ordered, and other data.
Little Known Sparks
What is the model year of Sam’s red and white Ford F-150: ’77, ’79, or ’81?
1979. And why did he drive a pickup? As Sam said, "What am I supposed to haul my dogs around in, a Rolls-Royce?"
“It's more important than ever that we develop leaders who are servants and who are listening to their partners, their associates and doing it in an exceptional way that they're creating wonderful morale so the whole team will accomplish the overall goal.”
Sam Walton
1984
Annual sales reach $6.4 billion.
Nov. 1984
My Wal-Mart Partners and Associates: The following... Read Letter1984
A Human Resources System is implemented to help each associate develop his or her potential and to provide a current profile.
1984
Ferold retires and is widely known for his philanthropic generosity as the founding donor of the Arend Arts Center in Bentonville, Arkansas.
1984
Walmart's Data Communications Department establishes a 24-hour help desk.
1984
In 1984, Sam promised to “do a Hula on Wall Street” if Walmart achieved an 8 percent pretax profit. Though somewhat reluctant, he kept that promise.
Play Video1985
Walmart stock splits 100 percent for the seventh time; shares sell at $49.75.
1985
Touchstones of Walmart Culture
View ExhibitLittle Known Sparks
What acronym does Walmart use for its Home Office?The Home Office, commonly referred to as HO and is Walmart's headquarters, there to support the company's stores all around the world.
Feb. 1985
My friends, partners and associates: 1984 is history –... Read Letter1985
Sam Walton is named the richest man in America by Forbes.
The barber chairs in which Sam and Bud Walton would get their hair cut for $5.
Jun. 1985
My Friends: I seem to be a little light on material this... Read Letter1985
Walmart buys Grand Central Shoes.
Jul. 1985
On this early Tuesday morning, July 16th, I’m just... Read Letter1985
The "Buy American" program is introduced.
Oct. 1985
I’ve just finished a memorandum to all management... Read LetterLittle Known Sparks
In what year was Walmart’s Home Office built: ’69, ’70, or ’71?
Built in 1971, the Walmart Home Office today serves as the global corporate headquarters.
1985
The Walton Institute is founded to educate Walmart store managers. Its mission continues today to help leaders in all parts of the company understand, navigate, and perpetuate Walmart culture.
1985
More than 104,000 associates are working in 882 stores, with sales of $8.4 billion.
1985
Expansion continues into Wisconsin and Colorado.
1985
Walmart's culture is rich and varied. But it's defined by the threads that tie it together—practicing servant leadership, listening to the associates, and making sure the customer is #1.
Play Video
1985
Executive Bob Hart at a Walmart Holiday meeting.
Feb. 1986
I'm in the middle of a western swing through our... Read Letter“One of our objectives should be to have zero complaints in our stores and make all of our customers feel so good about coming into our stores.”
Sam Walton
1986
Walmart opens stores in Minnesota.
1986
Beaver Lake Aviation FBO (Fixed Base Operator) becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Little Known Sparks
As what did Walmart employ Doug McMillon in 2014: Walmart’s CEO, CMO, or CFO?Doug McMillon is Walmart's fifth and current CEO. He started with Walmart as an hourly summer associate in 1984.
Jul. 1986
I'd like to say that we're a diverse collection of... Read Letter
Aug. 1986
This 1986 year is racing by at an unbelievable pace –... Read Letter1986
Annual sales reach $11.9 billion.
1987
Walmart celebrates its 25th anniversary.
1987
Walmart begins a relationship with the Children’s Miracle Network; associates raise hundreds of millions of dollars for Network hospitals.
Walmart's 25th Anniversary
To commemorate this important milestone in 1987, Coca-Cola issued a special celebratory label, and Mattel made a limited edition of a “Pink Jubilee Barbie” doll.
1987
In December, the first Walmart Hypermart U.S.A. opens its doors in Garland, Texas; the second Hypermart opens a month later.
1987
In December, the first Walmart Hypermart U.S.A. opens its doors in Garland, Texas; the second Hypermart opens a month later.
Little Known Sparks
On which holiday were Sam and Helen married: Christmas, New Year's Eve, or Valentine's Day?
In 1942, Sam and Helen were married on Valentine's Day.
1987
Walmart's "store-within-a-store" tool is successfully implemented.
1987
Walmart has 1,198 stores in 23 states with 200,000 associates, and $15.9 billion in sales.
1988
The company completes the Walmart Satellite Network. The largest private satellite communication system in the United States, it links all the company's operating units and the Home Office with two-way voice, data, and one-way video communication.
1988
By the end of the year, 90 percent of Walmart stores have barcode-scanning capabilities.
Feb. 1988
If we truly have a "secret" for this Wal-Mart... Read Letter
1988
Carolyn "Boo" Randolph, as Shirley Shrinkage, at a shareholders meeting.
1988
The first Supercenter opens in Washington, Missouri in March.
Brands and Acquisition
The company continued to expand its product lines by packaging its own brands and acquiring new stores, including the Mohr Value chain and the Hutcheson Shoe Company.
1988
The first Supercenter opens in Washington, Missouri.
1988
Walmart buys Super Saver stores.
1988
David Glass is named chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
1988
Family Legacy: The Walton Family Foundation
View Exhibit1988
Walmart now has 16 distribution centers up and running.
Jul. 1988
Times change; people may change, but there's one... Read Letter1988
There are 105 Sam's Clubs.
1988
The first 110,000-square-foot Walmart prototype opens in Gonzales, Louisiana.
1988
Annual sales reach $20.6 billion.
Sep. 1988
Friends, I'm just returning on this beautiful fall day... Read Letter1988
Walmart changes its Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) from PCs to the IBM mainframe. The EDI system allows Walmart to process invoices from receipt to payment automatically and to speed the movement of goods from vendors to stores.
“The foundation of our company is strong. We have dedicated, talented, and creative people, and we have the resources to become even stronger.”
Doug McMillon
Nov. 1988
One year – 1988 – is about to wind down as we approach... Read Letter
Dec. 1988
Another Year Coming to a Close: “You’ve Done Good!”... Read Letter
Feb. 1989
We Must Continue to Improve in 1989 By Sam M. Walton,... Read Letter1989
With the addition of operations in Michigan, West Virginia, and Wyoming, Walmart now has 1,528 stores (including 123 Sam's Clubs and 3 Hypermarts).
1989
Sam and Alice Walton with Charles Cate in Conway, Arkansas.
Jun. 1989
By Sam Walton, Chairman I’ve had a real good week. I’ve... Read Letter
Aug. 1989
Exceeding Our Customers’ Expectations By Sam Walton,... Read Letter
By the Numbers
By 1989, Walmart has grown to 1,528 stores, including 123 Sam's Clubs. The company employs 275,000 associates. Annual sales increase to nearly $26 billion.
Nov. 1989
Customer Service is Our Key to the Future I recently... Read Letter
