1990s
America’s Top Retailer
1990
Walmart is now the nation's number-one retailer, with annual sales of $32.6 billion.
Bud's Warehouse Outlets
In the early 1990s, the company created a chain of more than 80 Bud’s Warehouse Outlets to sell refurbished name-brand appliances and furniture at deep discounts. The no-frills stores were usually in former Walmart or Sam’s Club buildings.
Apr. 1990
Let me express a few thoughts that come to mind today.... Read Letter“Walmart has become the meeting place for area residents in so many of our communities. And it’s our store associates - out there on the front line – who are working so hard to increase our customer base.”
Sam Walton
May. 1990
Something Old Is New Again: The Wal-Mart Visitors... Read Letter1990
New stores open in California, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Utah.
“All of these things: in stock, SWAS, morale, etc. everything is contingent upon associates feeling good about themselves and enjoying their jobs so that they are taking care of our customers in the right way. If we don't achieve this, we'll have higher shrinkage, lower morale and disappointed customers.”
Sam Walton
“Don't be blinded by our own success, our status, our house or the number of cars we own. We've got to support each other and show concern for each other. Remember those wonderful associates in the stores who are doing the real job and how important they are to us all.”
Sam Walton
“We are the target of a lot of aggressive people out there. Why can't we attack our customers with customer service? Exceed their expectations in any way you can. It can be done, folks, but it's gonna have to happen in Huntsville, AR, Miami, FL, and even now on the West coast. Our associates are our front line strategists.”
Sam Walton
“If you don't trust your associates to know what's going on, they'll know you really don't consider them partners.”
Sam Walton
“I would like to be remembered as a good friend … that's important. I have such a strong feeling for the folks in our company. They have meant so much to me.”
Sam Walton
1990
Walmart buys the McLane Company, a leader in worldwide logistics and distribution.
Oct. 1990
Pleasing Our Customer Will Keep Profits High Dear... Read Letter
1990
The Walmart Visitor Center opens in Sam Walton's original 5&10, on the town square in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas.
1990
Bud's Warehouse, named for Bud Walton, opens as an outlet for close-outs and overstocked merchandise.
1990
Walmart buys its first Learjet, speeding visits between the Home Office and thousands of Walmart stores.
1990
Walmart Visitor Center, under construction.
1991
A Global Company
View Exhibit1991
Through a joint venture with Cifra, a Mexican retail company, Walmart goes global and opens a Club Aurerra in Mexico City.
“When customers thought of Walmart, they should think of low prices and satisfaction guaranteed ... They wouldn't find it cheaper anywhere else, and if they didn't like it, they could bring it back.”
Sam Walton
1991
New stores open in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and New York.
Jun. 1991
Partners and good friends of 1991, as usual over this... Read Letter
Aug. 1991
The Importance of Integrity Dear Partners: I just had... Read Letter1991
Sam's American Choice brand products are introduced.
1991
Walmart buys Western Merchandisers, Inc., of Amarillo, Texas.
Dec. 1991
Season’s Greetings and Merry Christmas I’m writing this... Read Letter1991
Walmart introduces Rollback America, passing on savings from Walmart suppliers to customers.
1992
With the additions of Idaho, Montana, and Oregon, Walmart now has stores in 45 states.
Feb. 1992
Our Focus For ‘92 On this day after Christmas, I’m so... Read Letter“I don't believe there's anything that this company can't do if we feel it's an achievable goal.”
Sam Walton
1992
Expansion continues into Puerto Rico.
Made in America
In the last year of his life, while battling cancer, Sam Walton turned his attention to writing his story. Published in 1992, his book was an instant success. It was translated into numerous languages, and it circulated to readers around the world.
1992
Walmart deploys the Retail Link system to strengthen supplier partnerships. The system provides vendors with information on sales trends and inventory levels.
1992–2008
In 1992, Walmart replaced the hyphen with a star. This logo can still be seen on many of the North American storefronts as Walmart continues to transition hundreds of stores to the newest logo.
1992
The Presidential Medal of Freedom
View Exhibit“If we work together … we'll lower the cost of living for everyone. We'll give the world an opportunity to see what it's like to save and have a better life.”
Sam Walton
1992
George H.W. Bush’s full speech honoring Sam with the Medal of Freedom.
Play Video1992
President George H. W. Bush presents Sam with the Medal of Freedom. During his acceptance speech, Sam articulates the company's purpose of saving people money so they can live better. Sam calls the award "the highlight of our entire career."
1992
A Time to Remember
View ExhibitOl'Roy. In 1983, Walmart created a private-label dog food named after him.
1992
On April 5, Sam Walton passes away at 74. Thousands mourn Sam's passing, yet his memory and ideals live on as inspiration to all.
1992
Rob Walton becomes Walmart's chairman of the board.
“I can tell you this, though: after a lifetime of swimming upstream, I am convinced that one of the real secrets to Walmart’s phenomenal success has been that very tendency.”
Sam Walton
1992
Sam's Rules for Building a Business
View Exhibit“This thing we've got going with our Company and our people is so gratifying to me that I find it very easy to be enthusiastic about our future and to be optimistic about what we can accomplish together.”
Sam Walton
1992
Managing by Walking Around
Play Video
1992
The 10 Foot Rule
Play Video1993
Walmart acquires 109 Pace Warehouse Clubs.
1993
Expansion continues into Alaska, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Washington; Walmart now has stores in 49 states.
Little Known Sparks
What does EDLP mean?Every Day Low Prices. It's how Walmart prices items it sells all over the world: low prices every day, on every product.
1993
Walmart celebrates its first $1 billion sales week.
1993
The Walmart International Division is created to improve the company's ability to expand overseas.
1993
A prototype store designed to be environmentally friendly opens in Lawrence, Kansas.
“Retailing is a battle ground - we're in a daily war for customers. Unless we stay aggressive, we too could become soft and fall like other companies.”
Sam Walton
1994
Walmart buys 122 Woolco stores in Canada.
1994
The Code Adam missing-child program is implemented at all Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs. It is named in memory of Adam Walsh, who was abducted from a Florida shopping mall in 1981.
1995
Walmart Argentina starts its operations in 1995. The first supercenter is built in Avellaneda, Province of Buenos Aires.
1995
Walmart Brazil begins its operations in 1995 with two supercenters and three Sam's Clubs in the state of Sao Paulo.
1995
Walmart’s co-founder, James Lawrence “Bud” Walton (Sam Walton’s brother), passes away.
“I've always enjoyed challenging our people. If you expect great things from folks, they'll expect it from themselves. Our people have never let us down.”
Sam Walton
1995
The Volunteerism Always Pays (VAP) program begins. When Walmart associates do volunteer work, Walmart matches their efforts with a contribution to the charity of their choice. By 2008, Walmart volunteer service hours exceed 1 million.
1995
Bentonville Home Office sign with a vintage 1990s company logo.
1995
With the addition of Vermont, Walmart has stores in all 50 states.
1995
At year's end, Walmart has 1,995 stores, 239 Supercenters, 433 Sam's Clubs, and 276 international stores, with annual sales of $93.6 billion. Walmart is 675,000 associates strong.
1996
Walmart opens its first stores in China.
1996
The Missing Children's Network is implemented; information about missing children is posted in all Walmart stores.
1996
Walmart makes Retail Link and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) available via the Internet and begins using the Internet as an application platform.
1996
Walmart and Sam's Club launch online stores.
1996
Brazil associates at a grand opening.
“We've got to be smart enough to think of things we can do better and better for our customers in order to keep ahead of our competitors. It's very important that our customers be treated right.”
Sam Walton
1997
Walmart is now the largest private employer in the United States, with 720,000 associates, plus 105,000 international associates.
1997
In Mexico, Walmart acquires the majority stake in Cifra.
1997
Walmart replaces Woolworth on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
1997
The company celebrates its first $100 billion sales year. Walmart serves 90 million customers per week worldwide.
1998
The company exceeds $100 million in annual charitable contributions.
1998
The Neighborhood Market concept is introduced with three stores in Arkansas. Neighborhood Markets are smaller than Supercenters and offer a quick and convenient shopping experience.
1998
Global expansion continues as Walmart enters Germany and South Korea.
1998
Grand-opening day at a Sam's Club in Mexico.
1999
Walmart is now the largest private employer in the world, with a total of 1,140,000 associates.
“I guess everybody who knew I was going ahead with the discounting idea on my own really did think I'd completely lost my mind.”
Sam Walton
1999
Hank Kaminsky, regionally known and celebrated sculptor, created three busts of Sam. One is at Walmart's Home Office, another is at the Sam Walton School of Business, and this one is displayed at The Walmart Museum. www.HankKaminsky.com
1999
The global biweekly newspaper Mass Market Retailers names Walmart Retailer of the Century.
1999
The 1999 Cone/Roper Report, an annual national survey of philanthropy and corporate citizenship, ranks Walmart America's number-one Corporate Citizen.
By the Numbers
Walmart closes the 1990s with 3,996 stores, including 463 Sam's Clubs and 1,004 international stores. There are 1.14 million associates. The company's annual sales reach $165 billion.
1999
Walmart acquires the chain ASDA (originally Associated Dairies and Farm Stores, Ltd.) in the United Kingdom.
