By the numbers: How big is Walmart?

How big is Walmart?

• Walmart, the largest retailer in the world, is predicted to reach half a trillion dollars in sales by 2014

• As the largest grocery retailer in the U.S., 50% of its total sales are groceries

• 4 out of 10 of America’s richest individuals are members of the Walton family, who own a controlling interest in Walmart

• Americans spend over $36 million every hour in Walmart stores

• In 2008, Walmart earned $40,000 profit per minute from total worldwide sales

Walmart in Canada

• Since entering the Canadian market in 1994, Walmart has almost tripled its total number of stores with 124 Supercentres and 201 Discount stores across the country

• While Walmart has 4,112 stores in the U.S., most of its locations are now in other countries

• In 2009 Walmart spent $4.1 billion on international expansion

• Walmart’s entry into a new market results in a sales decline of 10 to 40% for existing retailers

• A California-based research study found that the impact of Walmart on lost or reduced wages and benefits cost the workers and their communities in that U.S. state $2.8 billion per year

Vol. XI, No 13 • March 28 2011