Evaluating the Financial Health of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
Evaluating the Financial Health of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is a discount variety business that began small and has grown into a worldwide multibillion dollar industry within the forty eight years of operation. Providing a brief history, analyzing the financial statements, performing an industrial comparison and trend analysis, this paper will evaluate the financial health of this corporation. (Walmart Corporate, 2010).
History
Wal-Mart was established in 1962 by Sam Walton, a 1940 University of Missouri economics major. The first store was opened in Rogers, Arkansas offering a variety of merchandise for consumers. Mr. Walton’s strategy of opening locations in small towns and offering consumers a wide variety of products at low costs was compelling and successful. The company became incorporated on October 31, 1969 and went public in 1970. By 1991, the company had become international and a multibillion dollar business. (Walmart Corporate, 2010).
Industry and Economy
Currently, Wal-Mart has businesses within 15 countries including the United States. They employ over 2.1 million individuals worldwide. The Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is comprised of three business segments. These segments are Walmart U.S., International and Sam’s Club they consist of retail operations that include discount stores, supercenters, grocery stores, Sam’s Clubs, Distribution Centers, and a internet shopping network called Walmart. Com. The supercenters, which were established in 1988, offer a variety of specialty shops that include vision centers, restaurants, portrait studios, one hour photo centers, pharmacies, health clinics, employment agencies, hair salons, banks and grocery centers. The wide variety of merchandise offered includes family apparel, health and beauty aids, electronics, toys, lawn and garden products, jewelry, automotive products, home furnishings, hardware, sporting goods, pet supplies and house wares. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. mission “to save people
History
Wal-Mart was established in 1962 by Sam Walton, a 1940 University of Missouri economics major. The first store was opened in Rogers, Arkansas offering a variety of merchandise for consumers. Mr. Walton’s strategy of opening locations in small towns and offering consumers a wide variety of products at low costs was compelling and successful. The company became incorporated on October 31, 1969 and went public in 1970. By 1991, the company had become international and a multibillion dollar business. (Walmart Corporate, 2010).
Industry and Economy
Currently, Wal-Mart has businesses within 15 countries including the United States. They employ over 2.1 million individuals worldwide. The Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is comprised of three business segments. These segments are Walmart U.S., International and Sam’s Club they consist of retail operations that include discount stores, supercenters, grocery stores, Sam’s Clubs, Distribution Centers, and a internet shopping network called Walmart. Com. The supercenters, which were established in 1988, offer a variety of specialty shops that include vision centers, restaurants, portrait studios, one hour photo centers, pharmacies, health clinics, employment agencies, hair salons, banks and grocery centers. The wide variety of merchandise offered includes family apparel, health and beauty aids, electronics, toys, lawn and garden products, jewelry, automotive products, home furnishings, hardware, sporting goods, pet supplies and house wares. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. mission “to save people
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