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What is the origin of the name ‘Walmart’?

Walmart is the number one retailer not only in the United States but in the world. Learn about the origin of the company that was named after its founder.

Dado RuvicREUTERS

Walmart is the number one retailer in the United States and the whole world. According to the National Retail Federation, the company reported total revenue of $628.56 billion in 2023.

The sales giant has a total of 11,523 stores in the 28 countries in which it operates around the globe and registers 260 million weekly buyers.

The company’s origins date back to 1962. On July 2 of that year, Sam Walton opened the first Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas.“By 1969, the company was officially incorporated and had sales of $12.7 billion,” according to the company’s website.

By the 1970s, the company had seen tremendous growth and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. By 1990, Walmart was already the number one retailer in the country.

How did the store’s name come about? Here’s where it came from and what it means.

READ ALSO: Walmart’s new system to prevent theft at self-checkout

What is the origin of the name ‘Walmart’?

The name Walmart is a combination of two words. The first three letters (WAL) come from the surname of its founder, Sam Walton. The company’s name is complemented by the word MART, which is short for “market”.

Therefore, “Walmart” is a shortened version of “Walton’s market”.

Walmart prepares for another holiday sales event

This month, the company announced the launch of Holiday Deals 2024. The first Holiday Deal of the season will run from Oct. 8 to 13, featuring six days of deals and discounts on electronics, home goods, fashion items, and toys.

Walmart+ members will be able to access the deals early, starting at 12 a.m. ET on Walmart.com and the official store app, while other customers will have access from 12 p.m. ET.

READ ALSO: Perk up with National Coffee Day deals

Additionally, Walmart will offer its inflation-free holiday meal weeks early this year to give customers even more opportunities to save. Beginning Oct. 14 through Dec. 25 in stores and on Walmart.com, customers can take advantage of savings on all of the holiday meal essentials for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.

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