Begins his career as a sales trainee at a J.C. Penney store in Des Moines, Iowa, where his enthusiasm for retail and customer service first develops.
1942
Joins the US Military.
1943
Marries Helen Robson.
1945
Purchases a Ben Franklin variety store in Newport, Arkansas, with the help of a $20,000 loan from his father-in-law.
1950
Walton buys the Harrison Variety store, the first self-service variety store in Arkansas, where customers could browse goods before bringing them to the clerk for purchase – a novel concept at the time.
Early 1960s
Walton partners with his brother Bud. Their group of Ben Franklin stores become the nation’s largest
chain of independently owned variety stores.
1962
Walton opens his first Wal-Mart store in Rogers, Arkansas, where he first implements his discount maximizing business model.
1983
Sam Walton opens the first Sam’s Club in Midwest City, Oklahoma.
1985
Forbes names Walton the richest man in the United States.
1988
Walton steps down as CEO, but remains active in the company.
1991
Wal-Mart becomes the largest U.S. retailer, with over 1700 locations.
1992
Walton is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom under President Bush.
1992
Walton’s autobiography, Sam Walton: Made in America, becomes a bestseller.
1992
Walton dies on April 6, 1992, with an estimated net worth of over $21 billion.
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