WALMART
Wal-Mart was founded in 1962, with the opening of the
first Wal-Mart discount store in Rogers, Ark. The company incorporated as
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. on Oct. 31, 1969. The company's shares began trading on
OTC markets in 1970, and were listed on the New York Stock Exchange two years
later.
With the infusion of investor capital, the company grew
to 276 stores in 11 states by the end of the decade. In 1983, the company opened
its first Sam’s Club membership warehouse, and in 1988 opened the first
supercenter -- now the company’s dominant format -- featuring a complete grocery
in addition to general merchandise.