As we stroll down memory lane, take a look back at some of the moments and milestones that cemented
Wal-Mart’s origins trace back to 1945 when its founder, Sam M. Walton, launched his first Ben Franklin variety store in Newport, Arkansas. A year later, he was joined by his brother, J.L. “Bud” Walton, who later became Senior Vice President.
In 1947, Bud Walton established a Ben Franklin store in Versailles, Missouri. Together, the Walton brothers expanded their venture to include fifteen Ben Franklin stores, laying the groundwork for what would become the larger discount department stores.
The first Wal-Mart Discount City store was inaugurated in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962. By October 1970, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. had transitioned into a publicly-held company, and on August 25, 1972, Wal-Mart’s stock was listed on the New York Stock Exchange, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history.
Walton’s vision was clear from the start: offer lower prices and great service, and customers will keep coming back. This simple yet revolutionary idea transformed the way people shopped and set the stage for
As the decades rolled on,
The 90s saw
The company’s dedication to community involvement and sustainability initiatives also began to take shape during this era, highlighting
For those who wish to reminisce or are curious about the early days of this retail behemoth, we’ve gathered a collection of vintage photos and advertisements. These snapshots offer a nostalgic glimpse into what
That’s how the story of
Vintage Wal-Mart history: The variety store’s beginning, as told in 1975
Not unlike other retail discount chains, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. had its beginning in the small-town variety store business.
The Company’s founder and present Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, Sam M. Walton, wrote the first chapter in Wal-Mart’s success story when he opened his first Ben Franklin variety store in Newport, Arkansas in 1945.
One year later, joined by his brother, J. L. “Bud” Walton, now Senior Vice President, the two brothers began to expand their variety store operations.
Between 1945 and 1962, they assembled a group of fifteen successful Ben Franklin stores, which served as the base for what was to become Wal-Mart Stores, Inc,
Wal-Mart’s first Discount City store opened in Rogers, Arkansas (then a town of approximately 4700), in November 1962. Now. just thirteen years later, the Company is recognized as a leader in the regional retail discount industry.
Wal-Mart in 1975
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. currently operates a regional chain of 100 Wal-Mart Discount City stores, two Family-Center stores, and two Sav-Co Home Improvement Centers. Thirty-seven stores are located in Arkansas; thirty-six in Missouri; fifteen in Oklahoma; six each in Kansas and Tennessee; two in Louisiana: and one each in Mississippi and Kentucky.
During the fiscal year ended January 31, 1975, the Company had a record-breaking twenty-six new stores to celebrate Grand Openings — twenty-four Wal-Mart Discount City stores and two Sav-Co Home Improvement Centers.
Arkansas led the number of new stores opened with seven Wal-Mart Discount Cities and two Sav-Co Home Improvement Centers. Of the remaining stores opened during the year, seven are located in Missouri, five in Tennessee, two in Oklahoma, and one each in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Kentucky.
All of the new stores are located in smaller communities, with two of the stores marking the entry of Wal-Mart Discount Cities into the States of Mississippi and Kentucky.
Wal-Mart’s marketing philosophy
Wal-Mart, unlike many other discount chains, has devoted itself almost exclusively to serving small business communities and rural areas.
The Company has generally avoided major metropolitan areas and concentrated on the smaller community, preferably county seat towns located within a 350-mile radius of the General Office and Distribution Centers in Bentonville, Arkansas. The average population of the communities served by Wal-Mart is between 10,000 and 15,000.
Generally, Wal-Mart’s discount department stores range in size from 30,000 to 60,000 square feet of building area, with the average store size being approximately 42,000 square feet.
With few exceptions, Wal-Mart Discount Cities are the largest non-food retailers in their respective communities. The Company’s concept is to be the dominant one-stop department store providing a vast assortment of quality goods.
Each specific store size has a merchandise mix based on space available. Although several stores maintain merchandise lines to meet local preference, the Company generally maintains a standard and broad line merchandise mix.
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Walmart history: Store scenes from the 1970s
Wal-Mart / Discount City / We sell for less — Guaranteed quality at discount prices
Discount clothing departments with 70s fashions
Busy retro Wal-Mart checkout lanes
Crowds lined up for a big sidewalk sale
Vintage 70s Walmart housewares department, plus fabrics and sewing supplies
Photo processing and frames, plus the gardening department (1977)
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Friendly cashiers at the front checkstands
Notice all the candy, gum, camera film and other last-minute and impulse buys
Retro Walmart Fashion Wear (for men) & Ladies Dressing
Vintage annual report: A look at our stores (1973)
Wal-Mart brings to small communities and rural areas discount department store shopping facilities and merchandise selections equal to those in the big cities.
Wal-Mart Discount City stores feature thirty-six complete departments offering the Wal-Mart shopper the finest quality merchandise at everyday low discount prices.
The over 3,500 well-trained members of the Wal-Mart family work together to assure every customer that “Guaranteed Satisfaction” is more than a slogan…
Crowded vintage Walmart scenes from the early 1970s
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36 full-line departments with hard and softline merchandise
Scenes from the olden days (1978)
The Fabric and Crafts Center features the latest in fashion piece goods and a broad assortment of craft supplies and notions. Well-trained associates are always available to assist customers in their selections.
Friendly, efficient service at the check-out counter is just one way Wal-Mart associates let our customers know we care.
Vintage Wal-Mart store in the 1980s
Everything from bicycles to photo albums
Womenswear & pajamas with 80s style
Customers looking for deals on retro 80s clothes
Wal-Mart products made in the USA (1980)
Big Wal-Mart delivery truck in 1980
Old Wal-Mart store scenes from 1982
Kids clothing, men’s shoes and Atari video games and more vintage store departments
Vintage signage from 1981: “Discount City”
Old Wal-Mart Discount City store in 1982
Buyng film and photo processing at Wal-Mart in 1982
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Vintage Walmart greeters
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Old Wal-Mart stores & pharmacy in the 80s (1984)
Inside old stores, including music departments, toys & cashiers
Vintage jewelry, pharmacy & shoe sections
Old-school Walmart marketing scenes (1981)
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Walmart and Sam’s Club exteriors in 1985
Vintage Wal-Mart history: Employee uniforms in the 80s
Vintage shopping at Wal-Mart in 1987
Bargain-hunters checking out the fuzzy tops for $12.97
Chic 80s girls trying on hats in the juniors department
A Wal-Mart Supercenter store
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Girl & grandmother checking out (1987)
New sign being installed in 1988
Warehouse shipping/receiving: Boxes on conveyors (1989)
Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton filming a TV commercial
Retro family loading groceries into the car
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Scenes from old Wal-Mart promos in the 1990s
Shoppers in the toy aisle, getting help from an associate
Wal-Mart Magic Wand tech in 1997
Vintage shoppers at Wal-Mart in the 1990s
Walmart receipt, associate name tags & more
A Walmart greeter: “Welcome” (1995)
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WalMart in 1995: Front checkout, associates & shareholders
Products you could buy at Wal-Mart in the late 1990s
Cheerleaders at Wal-Mart in 1999
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6 Responses
I won’t go back Walmart check out myself now. If I have checked myself I want 20% discount.
I have to say that I do shop at Walmart, but I wonder how Walmart feels about the fact that I, and so many other people, wish we could still shop at the countless mom and pop stores that are no more due to their inability to compete with the buying power that Walmart has in the market?
Walmart used to pride themselves on selling the majority of products Made in the USA. Their fall started when they crapped on American workers sold out to China.
I knew Walmart was older than I am, but it’s so odd that we never saw one of their stores, nor Target stores (same age) until the 90s. I believe Walmart was in the rural towns, but in Atlanta, we had never seen them! It took years before they were commonly found in the metro ATL, and now they are everywhere, often multiple locations only a few miles apart!
With more and more lanes turned self checkout, the store has a very creepy futuristic ambiance. Do they really want no one working for them? Putting people out of jobs? Don’t get me started on them getting rid of only USA products they used to proudly advertise. Very saddening. Sam is rolling over daily in his grave.
We did shop at a Walmart that was one of the original stores before the supercenter nonsense, 4 years ago. It was in a small town on the Texas Louisiana border. Brought back those 80’s memories!