1918
Sam Walton was born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, in March 1918 to Thomas Gibson Walton and Nancy Lee.
“one Samuel Moore Walton was born to Thomas Gibson Walton and Nancy Lee, their first oldest child.”
Topic
Sam Walton
15 facts from 5 episodes, in date order. These are what speakers said on the shows, each linked to the moment it was said. They aren't independently verified.
1945
Sam and Helen Walton bought the Newport, Arkansas Ben Franklin franchise store for $25,000, using $5,000 of savings and a $20,000 loan from Helen's father.
“they buy it for $25,000, $5,000 of their own savings and a $20,000 loan from LS, from Helen's father.”
1950
The Newport landlord paid Sam and Helen Walton $50,000 to take over the store when the lease expired.
“So he pays Sam and Helen $50,000 to take over the store.”
1950
Walton's Five and Dime in Bentonville, reopened in 1950, became the third self-service variety store in the United States.
“it becomes the third self-service variety store in the entire country.”
1966
In 1966 Sam Walton attended an IBM seminar in Poughkeepsie, New York, on using computers in business.
“he goes up to Poughkeepsie, New York and enrolls himself as chairman CEO of Walmart in a seminar at IBM on how to use computing technology in business.”
1982
After visiting Sol Price in 1982, Sam Walton launched Sam's Club within about a year.
“Sam, of course, goes back to Bentonville. And within 12 months, guess what pops up? Sam's Club.”
1990
Sam Walton launched Hypermart USA, a giant combined grocery and general merchandise store, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but it didn't catch on.
“he launches a spin out of Walmart in the late 80s and early 90s called Hypermart USA.”
1992
Sam Walton died in 1992, before Walmart built out its grocery business.
“Walmart nailed it, but it wasn't Sam. So Sam passed away in 1992.”
1992
Sam Walton articulated Walmart's purpose of helping people save money and live better when he accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992.
“When Sam Walton accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom shortly before he passed away back in 1992, he articulated a purpose for the company.”
2014
McMillon says his leadership team told employees early on that Walmart's purpose and four core values would remain unchanged while other things changed.
“we believe in this timeless purpose that our founder, Sam Walton, gave us.”
Undated
Ho Nam says Sam Walton was already wealthy and successful as an entrepreneur before he started Walmart at age 46.
“But he did not start Walmart until age 46. He was already a wealthy, successful guy.”
Undated
David Senra says Sam Walton started Walmart at age 44 after about 25 years of practice and learning in retail.
“everybody says, oh, Sam Walton didn't start Walmart until he's 44. Yeah, but he was doing 25 years of practice and learning.”
Undated
David Senra says Sam Walton bought a plane to visit stores and found it gave him an advantage over competitors.
“So he buys the plane and he realizes, like, oh, this is a massive advantage because I'm doing something my competitors aren't, right?”
Undated
Sam Walton danced the hula on Wall Street after Walmart's management hit a target of 8% or higher operating income.
“Sam Walton once famously danced the hula on Wall Street because the management team back then hit a target of 8% or higher on operating income.”
Undated
McMillon says Walmart executives fly out of Arkansas to make unannounced visits to stores and clubs, as Sam Walton did by becoming a pilot.
“we've got airplanes and we're we're flying out of Arkansas, if I use the US. as an example, all the time to go visit stores and clubs on a surprise basis.”
Episodes