In 1966, Sam Walton's small team was generating $10 million yearly from a few stores. But they lacked the expertise for larger operations. To address this, Walton hired Ferold Arend as VP of operations. Walmart needed better inventory and logistics systems. Walton learned about computer technology at an IBM school. This led to the adoption of IBM’s System/360 for daily sales reporting. In 1968, Sam Walton appointed Ron Mayer as VP of Finance and Distribution. Under his guidance, Walmart implemen

Sam Walton’s franchiser, Butler Brothers, rejected him. This pain fueled determination to create his own discount retail chain. Sam had no sophisticated systems, processes, or organization. He focused on offering merchandise at the lowest possible prices. Selling a product for next to nothing is a counterintuitive way to make a profit. That tactic only works under the following circumstances. Your product attracts attention and customers buy additional products. Walmart had an unsophisticated bu

Sam Walton faced a significant setback. He lost the lease to his successful Ben Franklin store due to not having a renewal clause. His landlord pressured him into selling. Learning from this, he sold his smaller department store. With his wife Helen, he left Newport for Bentonville. There, he innovated retail with a self-service model in his new variety store. Which became the foundation for Walmart. Sam and his brother Bud went all-in on a Ben Franklin franchise. It served as the anchor for a s

Sam Walton opened a Ben Franklin variety store franchise in 1945. He engaged in fierce competition with the Sterling store across the street. His main tactic was undercutting prices on items like ladies’ underwear. Sam Walton innovated by buying direct from manufacturers. Thereby saving 25% and passing those savings to customers. Which laid the groundwork for Walmart’s business model. It was against the rules not to buy wholesale from his franchisor. Sam went around them, buying direct from alte

In 1985, Forbes Magazine declared Sam Walton the richest man in America. He was the founder of Walmart. Sam Walton preferred not to live an extravagant lifestyle. He drove an old pickup truck. He wore a Walmart trucker hat. The local barber gave him regular haircuts. Walmart lost half a billion dollars after the stock market crash in 1987. Walton’s response? “It’s only paper.” Sam Walton was born in 1918 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. His father, Thomas Gibson Walton, was a natural negotiator and ban