- Walmart is massive.
- The retail giant has got an impressive global reach and has been making inroads into the digital sphere.
- Here are a few facts that’ll help you picture the retailer’s size.
- Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.
Everyone knows that Walmart is a behemoth.
But sometimes, it becomes difficult to picture just how massive the company has become since it was founded in 1962.
Read more: Walmart is winning the race to dominate a $35 billion business
It’s one thing to say that Walmart is the biggest retailer out there, but what does that actually mean?
From the revenue it generates to the millions of people it employees, here are a few facts that capture Walmart’s enormous size:
This previous year, Walmart raked in $514.4 billion in total revenue. That's more than the GDP of countries like Belgium, Thailand, and Israel.
Foto: Bruges, Belgium.sourcePhotolibrary / Getty Images Plus
Source: Business Insider, Walmart, Trading Economics
And all that revenue has meant a major payoff for the company's founding family. Forbes estimated that the Waltons were collectively worth over $155 billion as of March — that puts them just behind Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Foto: The Waltons.sourceRick Wilking/Reuters
Source: Business Insider, Forbes
Walmart currently employs around 2.2 million associates across the globe. According to US Census data from 2017, more people work at Walmart than live in Phoenix, Arizona.
Foto: Phoenix, Arizona.sourceROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
Source: Business Insider, Walmart, US Census
The Washington Post found that the average Walmart associate "earns less in a year than the Walton family earns in a minute just from dividends paid on the family’s stock holdings" — a fact which Sen. Bernie Sanders has blasted as indicative of rampant income inequality.
Foto: Sen. Bernie Sanders.sourceHollis Johnson/Business Insider
Source: The Washington Post
On the technology front, Walmart just announced its intention to unleash an army of robots into is US stores, including 1,500 floor cleaners, 300 shelf-scanners, 1,200 conveyor belts, and 900 pickup towers.
Foto: Walmart is bringing more and more robots into the store.sourceDavid J. Phillip/AP Images
Source: Walmart, Business Insider
And the company has also made inroads with digital-native brands. Walmart's acquired 12 different online brands since 2010, from clothing retailer ModCloth to Amazon rival Jet.com.
Foto: A model strikes a pose in a ModCloth outfit.sourceDaniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
Source: Business Insider, Walmart, Business Insider
Walmart also commands a powerful global presence. The company currently boasts over 11,300 retail units ...
Foto: Walmart owns the Asda chain in the UK.sourceOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images
Source: Business Insider, Walmart
... operating under 58 banners around the planet.
Foto: Walmart owns Japan's Seiyu Group.sourceKyodo News via Getty Images
Source: Business Insider, Walmart
Altogether, Walmart has established itself in 27 countries across the globe.
Foto: Walmart has a presence all over the world.sourceKim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
Source: Walmart
