You don't have to be from the U.S. to know of Walmart, the largest retail chain in the world. It is owned by the Walton family (possibly the richest family in the world). It has been around since 1962 and has since grown to unbelievable proportions.
Over the years they have opened stores all over the US, Canada and Mexico. And it doesn’t stop there. The Walton family and the Walmart Corporation own many other retail chains in 28 different countries, including: China, Germany, India, Brazil, and the UK. So even if you don’t live in the United States, you are probably still buying at Walmart - you just don’t know it.
So what makes this such a big deal?
Well the fact of the matter is that Walmart is so big, it's disturbing. When you hear about the size and the numbers that are attributed to Walmart, it’s hard not to think about things like "monopoly" and "exploitation". Here is some food for thought, I'm willing to bet that neither you nor your loved ones who shop there know all of this:
* Globally, Walmart says it employs 2.3 million people and it's very likely it employs even more then that. That huge number of people is more than America’s active military personnel (1.43 million) and almost the size of the Chinese army (2.29 million.)
* There are around 4,672 Walmart stores in the United States, more than double the number of stores in other food retail chains. There are even more Walmart International locations, over 6,363 as of 2017. More than 90% of its international stores operate under names other than Walmart, such as Asda, Bodega Aurrera, Seyiu, Best Price, Trust-Mart Hypermarket, and Todo Dia.
* The net profit of Walmart, after taxes and paying preferred dividends, was around $13.64 billion in 2017. And that’s only profit, not sales!
* Out of the 10 richest Americans, four are members of the Walton family. They’re worth more than $30 billion each, just six members of the family combined would hold more wealth than the bottom 40% of the American people.
* Walmart’s CEO, Douglas McMillon, is presumed to be paid 1,034 times more than the average Walmart worker. That is by far one of the biggest top-to-bottom differences in America.
* Walmart says it's visited by almost 140 million shoppers a week in their U.S. stores. That’s the equivalent of about 44% of the American population.
* If you take the size of all the Walmart stores and combine them, it will exceed the size of Manhattan.
* Since Walmart is one of the biggest US gun retailers, it's no shock that it's a frequent scene for shooting incidents. On average there are 70 shooting incidents a year at Walmarts across America.
* The Walmart Corporation and Foundation has donated $1.4 billion in cash and in-kind contributions around the world last year, which makes it one of the most charitable companies in absolute terms. And yet this is less than 0.1% of the net worth of the Walton Family Foundation and rumored to actually be a legal loophole to avoid taxes.
Discover the ADORABLE Tiny Mouse Shops of Sweden
Swedish “AnonyMouse” artists create miniature shops for mice, and they are oh so cute!
10 Informative and Fun Maps of the United States
What’s a better way to learn new facts than maps? Each of these US maps gives us some fascinating statistics and information about the country
Who Knew Statistics Could Be SO Funny!
Raf Schoenmaekers combined his love for digital art and engineering background to tell some truths using graphs in this funny comics.
6 Chemical Reactions that Changed the Course of History
Although we rarely pay much attention to the chemistry that constantly surrounds us, these 6 reactions changed history.
The Sales of These 6 Items SOARED During the Pandemic
Apart from face masks and hand sanitizers, the pandemic caused the sales of certain items to skyrocket. Some of these may genuinely surprise you...
These Red Flags Indicate That a Shopping Website is Fake!
With online shopping being more prevalent than ever, scams are also on the rise. These are 8 warning signs that a shopping website is fake.
I Can't Wait to Try These Exciting Kitchen Inventions
Whether you like cooking of not, you'll surely appreciate these ingenious kitchen gadgets designed to make life easier.
After Reading This, You'll Want to Move to Finland!
This article takes a look at how the Finnish government makes ordinary life extremely comfortable for its citizens.
This May Be the Most Amazing Watch Ever Created...
Luxury watch makers Van Cleef & Arpels have created this dazzling creation, showing the planets and our sun while a small comet moves along a track to tell us the time.
These 24 Fascinating Photographs Will Surprise & Amaze You
Here are 24 of the most amazing and surprising photographs ever seen on the internet!
Wrapping Up the Major Events of 2022 in a 7-Minute Video
Another year has come to an end. Vox has edited 2022 in its entirety into a 7-minute video. Let's take a look.
Travel Back in Time With These Rare Moments From History...
Some photos date as far back as to the early 20th Century, with a few prototype designs that would eventually pave the way for the technology we use today. Take a stroll down memory lane with these Rare moments.
10 of the Most Spectacular Royal Crowns in the World
Crowns have long been seen as a strong symbol of power and wealth. Here are some of the world's most recognized crowns and tiaras.
Can You Guess the Meaning of These 20 Common Surnames?
We kind of take surnames for granted, as they are just passed down to us. But every name has an origin and meaning, and some might surprise you.
12 Vintage Christmas Songs That Still Warm Hearts
These classic Christmas songs capture the spirit of the season.
How Did We Invent the Dollar? Learn Its Meandering History
In this video, we will learn a short history of the U.S. Dollar.
You Won't Believe What This Man Built in His Back Yard...
This man has created something amazing at his home that has immediately become my dream.
This Ancient Cabinet is FULL of Surprises...
One of the finest achievements of European furniture making!
The Best of Andrea Bocelli – 5 Memorable Live Performances
It’s time to fall in love with Andrea Bocelli all over again.
This Is What $300,000 Will Buy In 15 Different Countries
If you dream of living overseas, you should know your dream is more attainable than you think. This is what $300,000 would buy you in 15 different countries.
Fascinating Photos: Actors vs. the Real People They Played
Take a look yourself and make your own mind as to how faithful the actors were to the people they played in movies.
20 Things Most People Think Are the Same, But Aren't!
These words are often mistaken for synonyms, but in reality they are nothing of the sort, because they refer to different things. Learn about 20 of them.,
Can The Mysterious Voynich Manuscript Ever be Cracked?
This is the world's most mysterious book, written by an unknown author in a singular alphabet and illustrated with puzzling images. What is its secret?
13 Books That Will Make Your Time Fly
These times of social distancing are perfect for catching up on your reading. Check out this list of 13 must reads to get started.
Collection: The Greatest Moments in History
A collection of fascinating, sometimes controversial and surprising stories from the annals of history. Explore and learn about the fascinating past of humanity and some of its most outstanding figures.
Meet the Genius Who Recorded Humanity's First Sound
Do you know who Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville is? You should!
What Would YOU Do In This Situation?
What would you do if you saw the experiment in this video?
The Story of the Roman Atlantis: The Ancient City of Baiae
In this article, we will explore what life was like in Baiae, why the city sank, and its rediscovery by explorers.
Smart Synonyms for 16 Words That Will Elevate Your Speech
Sound smarter and enrich your lexicon with these 16 clever alternatives to ordinary English words
Where Did These Common Sayings Come From? Fascinating!
You're probably aware of these common sayings, but where did they originate from? Fascinating!
Inside the Male Psyche: The Silent Fears They Never Share
There are some things that a man never shares with anyone.
This Soulful Cello Performance Will Give You Goosebumps
Sit back and enjoy this amazing cello performance
The Mandela Effect: When Everyone Misremembers History
The Mandela Effect is a strange phenomenon, where large amounts of people seem to remember things differently.
10 World War I Inventions We Still Use Every Day
From trench coats, to pilates and blood banks, all of these 10 things we think of as very modern were actually conceived during WWI.
From Ages 7 to 93 these People Share Tips on Ageing Gracefully
Watch people of all ages offer words of wisdom to their younger counterparts.
12 Beautiful Quotes that'll Make You Smile and Grin
If you want a smile, you've reached the right place...
We Bet You Never Knew the Origins of These Common Idioms!
We bet you use the following 8 common idioms all the time, but have you ever stopped to take the time to think about where they came from?
History: The Full Story of Napoleon's Epic Defeat
The full story of the battles Napoleon fought that eventually lead to his ultimate defeat.
10 Underrated Movies That Should be Seen by More People
Imploring all cinema buffs to check out these criminally underrated movies!
8 Weird and Wacky Failed Inventions from the Past
Here is a look at some weird and wacky inventions from the past that never quite took off despite their innovativeness.
These Pictures Smuggled out of North Korea Will Shock You
Shocking photos that reveal what life really is like in North Korea.
These Borders Exist Longer Than the Countries They Divide
International borders are among the most rapidly changing geographical phenomena, but these borders 5 proved to be exceptionally persistent
Check Out These Rare and Fascinating Antonyms!
Here are a few rare but fascinating antonyms we wish people used more often.
The Most Notorious Man-Eating Lions in History
Do you know the strange history of the man-eating lions of Tsavo?
1967 Classic: Tommy James and The Shondells Live
Groove to the tunes of Tommy James & The Shondells from this classic 1967 musical video.
Hello, January: Inspiring Quotes to Greet the New Month
Let’s start the new year with these amusing and inspiring January quotes.
16 Helpful Charts and Guides Worth Saving
We’ll never get enough of useful charts, maps, and guides like these!