Being in business is a desire that many people hold. However, it is one thing to be in business and a completely different one to be relevant in whatever field you are. In addition, establishing a business from the ground and having it last for a number of decades growing from one height of glory to another is quite a feat for many. This is exactly what keeps Wal-Mart in a world of its own. If there is any business enterprise or organization that has caused a revolution in the world, then it is Wal-Mart. It is actually the pioneer discount and retail store organization that comes with quite a rich history.
Unlike many other companies that were modified quite a lot as far an entrepreneurship is concerned, Wal-Mart incorporates a short but highly celebrated success story backed brute efforts that employees and members put in. It is a public company that was founded in Rogers, Arkansas in the United States of America by Sam Walton. Wal-Mart is in engaged in retailing, neighborhood shops, Super market and discount shops. Currently, its headquarters are in Bentonville Arkansas. It employs over two million people and has a net income of over 13 billion dollars.
The history of retail and discount stores can be traced back to the early 50’s. This is the time when retail stores gained a lot of popularity. Sam Walton believed that consumers in America were yearning for more than just retail shops and therefore started a discount and retail store (his first) in Rogers, Arkansas. In 1962, Wal-Mart phenomenon was born when he opened his first store. Five years later, Walton had opened 24 stores all in Arkansas. These played a major role in the achievement of high turnover amounting to $12.6 million. To speed up its logistics, Wal-Mart, signed up a commercial pilot in 1968. The following year in October, Wal-Mart stores were modified from a mere establishment to an incorporated company that went (and still goes) by the name Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
1970’s was a period of considerable economic growth for Wal-Mart. It expanded more and employed more people which only increased its sales to about $44.2 million leaving many amazed. In 1075, the company achieved an impressive level of sales amounting to about $340.3 million. It also expanded and had 7500 associates as well as 125 operational stores. This company also took over Hutcheson Shoe Company. It is in the same year that the company introduced a pharmaceuticals branch called Wal-Mart pharmacy. As the decade ended, the company had carved a niche for itself in the retail industry having over $1.248 billion in sales not to mention its 276 stores. These stores had a massive workforce that comprised of 21000 associates.
The 80’s and 90’s marked the beginning of the company’s journey in the journey to gaining the status of a global phenomenon in the retail industry. Not only did the company grow in size but also increased its earnings, and the area of operation. Some of the developments that marked the 80’s include the opening of the pioneer Sam’s club in 1983, inauguration of the pioneer Wal-Mart supercenter in 1988 and its ranking as the top retail chain in the Forbes magazine. As the 80’s decade ended, Wal-Mart had a whooping 1,402 normal stores, 123 Sam’s clubs all of which had turnover sales of more than $26 billion.
Currently, the retail chain has direct employees and associates totaling over 2.1 million and serves over 176 million customers all over the world per year.
Complimenting the retail chain’s success is the advancement of technology which has allowed individuals to shop in the stores at the comfort of the stores. Some of the items that you will find in the online stores include electronic and other office equipment such as printers, computers, business office furniture, supplies, office technology, office supplies and janitorial supplies. Other items available include sports and fitness equipment, toys and video games, home items, furniture and outdoor living item. Your quest for shoes, apparel and jewelry would be quenched in the online stores not to mention pets, household essentials and even grocery. Your beauty and health needs would also be catered for as well as automotive needs.
Incorporating even more savings is the retail chain’s shipping policy. In case you are shopping from the online store, you will incur nothing as far as shipping is concerned. This is however limited to particular local stores however. As long as you there is a Wal-Mart store near you, you can shop for items online if they are not in the local store and have them delivered to that store at no cost whatsoever. This is not applicable to stores outside US, in Hawaii and Alaska.
It is however important that you have a clear understanding of the retail chain’s return policy just in case what is delivered is not what you get. There is no uniformity to the return policy for the different items and therefore you need to be clear on the particular item. In most cases, the items have to be returned within 90 days after purchasing them. There are however exceptional cases where special rules apply. The apparel has to be unworn while the clothing must have all tags. Video games, books and movies should be unmarked and unopened. For electronics, varied rules apply. Computer hardware should be returned in 15 days, computer accessories in 45 days, GPS, portable video players and Digital music players in 15 days while digital cameras or camcorders should be returned in 30 days. You will appreciate the fact the retail chain accepts the returns even when you do not have a receipt. Note however that food and plants cannot be accepted back. Any returns can be made via mail or in person to Wal-Mart stores.
While Wal-Mart sells most of its wares at low costs, you still can save further using Wal-Mart Gift cards. With these cards, you will lower the overall costs anytime you are shopping in the fast food outlet, cell phone stores, photo stores, pharmacies etc. owned by the retail chain. You can obtain these cards from the retail chain or even from the various online resellers.
Complementing the savings even more is the Wal-Mart Black Friday deals which give you an opportunity to save as you buy gifts the day after Thanksgiving. The Wal-Mart black Friday deals come great saving on a wide selection of items ranging from movies, to sports and fitness equipment, video games, toys, furniture etc. You definitely can complement this with the free shipping.
Anyone interested in working in Wal-Mart may apply at hiring kiosks in Wal-Mart stores or online at their website. The application may be in Spanish or English. After submitting your application, responding to the retail chain’s employment statements would be imperative not to mention agreeing to drug screening and background check. On the same note, it will be important that you sign up for an applicant account if you don’t have one. The application and the hiring process will be quite tedious in an effort to ensure only the most qualified gets there. It will however be worth the pain if you get to work in the reputable retail chain.
