Walmart - statistics & facts
From its humble beginnings, Walmart has grown to become the largest retailer globally. Formerly known as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. it was founded in 1962 by Sam Walton, when he and his brother James “Bud” Walton opened the first Wal-Mart Discount City in Rogers, Arkansas. Walmart's remarkable journey has established it as one of the world's most renowned and valuable brands, operating in 19 countries through its 10,955 discount stores, supercenters, neighborhood markets, and warehouse membership clubs. Walmart’s commitment to offering low prices and a wide selection of products has given the retail chain an edge over its competitors.
Walmart’s financial performance
In 2026, the company generated global net sales of over 706 billion U.S. dollars. These figures have grown significantly in recent years; in 2026, they were up 4.7 percent from the previous fiscal year as the retailer continued to attract budget-conscious shoppers with competitive grocery pricing. Walmart’s gross profit margin, positively influenced by the company’s performance, has remained stable at around 23 to 25 percent over the last several years.
Walmart by division
Walmart is divided into three main divisions : Sam's Club, Walmart International, and Walmart U.S., with the latter generating most of the company’s sales. While Walmart U.S. operates only in the U.S. and the international division has a presence in 18 countries around the world, Sam's Club, which operates both in the U.S. and abroad, has the distinction of being a members-only warehouse retailer, much like its main competitor Costco. In 2026, Walmart's U.S. segment alone generated around 483 billion U.S. dollars and showed growth compared to previous years, while the international segment with approximately 130 billion U.S. dollars in sales also showed an upward trend. Mexico was the largest international market for Walmart, with 3,316 locations as of January 2026.
Consumer behavior and e-commerce
For millions of consumers worldwide, Walmart is the main source for groceries, household items, clothing, and more. In 2026, Walmart recorded about 280 million customer visits per week, and its warehouse division, Sam’s Club, generated 4.4 billion U.S. dollars from membership fees. According to a survey conducted by Statista in 2025, 93 percent of consumers were familiar with the Walmart brand and 71 percent claimed to use it for their grocery purchases. Walmart also operates a successful e-commerce site, which is particularly popular at the start of the holiday season. Its online sales with the Walmart U.S. segment alone surpassed 99 billion U.S. dollars in e-commerce revenue in 2026.
Walmart maintains a dominant position in the grocery market, and with its significant global presence, particularly in the Americas, its expanding e-commerce and advertising businesses suggest the company is evolving well beyond its brick-and-mortar roots.
