How Walmart Became the Largest Company by Revenue?

We live in a world dominated by technology, and while tech titans such as Google, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft have fully embraced technology, Walmart remains the world's largest company by revenue. Walmart generated 648.13 billion US dollars in revenue in 2024, with offline stores accounting for approximately 88% of that total.

Walmart was founded by Samuel Moore Walton in 1962 as a small store in Rogers, Arkansas. It now operates 10,660 stores worldwide, has around 2.1 million employees, and operates in 26 countries.

In 2014, Doug McMillon became the company's fifth CEO. Under his leadership, Walmart's revenue increased by 75%. To compete with Amazon, Doug acquired Jet.com for $3 billion in 2016 and Flipkart for $16 billion in 2018 — marking a turning point for Walmart's e-commerce strategy.

The Omni-Channel Strategy

Walmart's omni-channel strategy is a seamless integration between its brick-and-mortar stores and digital platforms. By 2023, Walmart's U.S. e-commerce revenue reached over $65 billion, up fourfold since 2019. The Buy Online, Pick Up In Store (BOPIS) feature allows customers to purchase products online and pick them up at a nearby Walmart store, often on the same day. This year, Walmart International eCommerce sales increased by 97%.

Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions

Walmart has formed partnerships with major companies such as Microsoft to improve cloud capabilities and TikTok to expand social commerce opportunities. The recent acquisition of Vizio, a leading smart TV manufacturer, at $2.3 billion allows them to leverage Vizio's SmartCast operating system and its 19 million active user base to boost the Walmart Connect advertising business.

Walmart's future is inextricably linked to its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and maintaining retail leadership.