Wal-Mart China Co., Ltd.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. was founded by Sam Walton, a legend of American retail industry, in Arkansas in
1962. After forty years of growth, it has become the world's largest private employer and retailer. The
company employs more than 1.5 million associates worldwide and operates more than 5,000 units in the
United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, China, Korea, Germany and the United
Kingdom. Worldwide, about 140 million customers visit Wal-Mart stores weekly.
In 2003, Wal-Mart accomplished USD256.3 billion sales globally. It ranked first on the FORTUNE 500 list
for three consecutive years, and previously made FORTUNE magazine’s list “Most Admired Companies in
America" for two years in a row. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart was named one of the "Most Respected
Companies" and the “Best Companies To Work For" in many other countries. In 2002 and 2003, Wal-Mart
was elected as one of the “Most Respected Companies in China” by the Enterprise Management Case
Study Center of Beijing University and the Economic Observer. In 2004 Wal-Mart topped the China
Business Competitiveness Index among commercial and trade companies. In August the same year WalMart ranked No.8 among the “Most Admired Companies in China” elected by Fortune Chinese edition and
was the only retailer in the list.
In 1996, Wal-Mart entered the Chinese market. The first Supercenter and SAM'S CLUB were opened in
Shenzhen, China. Nowadays, we operate 39 units in 19 cities, including Shenzhen, Dongguan, Kunming,
Dalian, Shantou, Fuzhou, Shenyang, Xiamen, Harbin, Changchun, Changsha, Nanchang, Beijing, Jinan,
Qingdao, Nanjing, Tianjin, Nanning and Guiyang. Our operation includes 34 Supercenters, 3 SAM’S
CLUBS, and 2 Neighborhood Markets. We employ more than 20,000 associates in China. We also have
invested up to RMB1.6 billion in China and paid more than RMB1 billion in taxes. As an outstanding
corporate citizen, we actively participate in community service and charity events, and we have donated
over RMB1.03 billion worth of materials and monetary funds to local charity and welfare organizations in
eight years.
Wal-Mart China has adhered to the Wal-Mart tradition to build the business – one store at a time, one
customer at a time, quality merchandise at low prices, and friendly customer service. With store openings,
we introduce advanced retail techniques and concepts to arouse competition and improve business
operation and customer service of the local markets. This contributes prosperity to the local economy.
Wal-Mart firmly believes in local procurement since we recognize that quality products can provide good
job opportunities, support local manufacturing industry and boost local economic development. Therefore,
we procure over 95% of local products whenever a store is opened. To date, we have cooperated with
over 15,000 suppliers in China. In December 2002, we ranked No.1 “Good Credibility and Accurate and
Prompt Payment” by China Chain Store & Franchise Association and the Department of Enterprise
Consultation Service of International Business Machine China Co. Ltd. (formerly Pricewater House
Coopers Co. Ltd.). We always treat our suppliers as partners and we grow together.
In addition, Wal-Mart procures high volume of merchandise from China and exports to the rest of the world
through its Global Procurement Center located in Shenzhen. Our direct and indirect procurements have
increased every year, with USD10billion in 2001, USD12billion in 2002, and USD15billion in 2003.
Wal-Mart will continue to expand investment and cooperation in China and contribute to the economic
development through the following aspects:
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Increase procurement and support export of Chinese products to other countries in the world;
Increase investment in China, especially in the west parts of China, to response to the
governmental policy of "Developing the West";
Create more employment opportunities and generate more taxes to benefit local economy;
Work closely with consumer manufacturers, share our information and resources, and support
manufacturing enterprises to improve production, technology and management skills;
Introduce our advanced retailing techniques and experience to promote the Chinese retail
industry standard and development.
"Sam Walton left us a legacy. He created a company with environment that encourages us to be
overachievers."