Wal-Mart Stores UK Ltd - Company Profile and News (2024)

FAQs

Is Walmart a UK company? ›

Walmart Inc. ( /ˈwɔːlmɑːrt/; formerly Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.) is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets (also called supercenters), discount department stores, and grocery stores in the United States, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.

In June 1999 it was announced that Walmart had placed a $10.8 billion bid to acquire Asda. So, Walmart originally acquired Asda in 1999, retaining its company name and marking Walmart's entry into the UK Market.

Founded in Arkansas in 1962 by brothers Sam and James “Bud” Walton, Walmart Inc. is a chain of stores, usually very large in size (referred to as “supercenters” or “hypermarkets” in company lingo), that sells everything: clothing, fragrance, footwear, jewelry, accessories, cosmetics, home furnishings, groceries (the ...

Walmart U.S. From our humble beginnings as a small discount retailer in Rogers, Ark., Walmart has opened thousands of stores in the U.S. and expanded internationally. Through innovation, we're creating a seamless experience to let customers shop anytime and anywhere online and in stores.

For Wal-Mart, this acquisition was because the U.S.A retailer realised that the British business had core features to ensure organizational survival, such as its above-average shop size, company culture, and a powerful clothing brand close to those seen in the U.S.A. (Steve Burt, 2001).

Wal-Mart doesn't exist in the UK, not as a standalone chain of stores. However, until recently, they used to own a majority stake in UK supermarket chain Asda. There are also some extra-large branches of Asda (or “supercentres”) that used Wal-Mart branding much more prominently.

A Seiyu pharmacy associate helps a customer. Walmart acquired the British chain ASDA in 1999 and entered the United Kingdom.

Walmart does not directly ship to most European countries. Customers in Europe can use international shipping services or explore Walmart's operations in the UK (under the brand Asda).

Can I order Walmart to UK? ›

No, Walmart US does not ship to the UK. Shop from Walmart with a MyUS address, then reship to you in the UK.

The Walton family owns about 45% of Walmart's outstanding shares through the trust and their main investment vehicle, Walton Enterprises, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Alice, Jim and Rob Walton have a combined fortune of $274 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

1962–1970: The early years

Walton opened up his first Walmart store in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, called Wal-Mart Discount City.

Doug McMillon

President and CEO, Walmart Inc.

Walmart got its start in Arkansas in 1962. Since then, though our company has expanded across borders and overseas, the U.S. remains the heart of our business where we continue to test new ideas, learn from our customers and improve our ability to help people save money and live better.

Still, lots of shops only operate on their home turf. For instance, Brits won't find a single Target in the U.K., and Americans are missing out on Marks & Spencer, a similar British retail chain that sells clothes and food and everything in between.