- That was also true a decade ago, but the company has still adapted a lot since 2009.
- Major changes at Walmart over the past decade include a leadership shuffle, plenty of digital acquisitions, and a new focus on e-commerce and delivery.
- Sign up for Business Insider's retail newsletter, The Drive-Thru.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
ADVERTISEMENT
Walmart's growth has exploded over the last decade. Here's how much it has changed since 2009.
Walmart is one of the largest and most powerful retailers in the world.
walmart 2009
Walmart has been a major player in the world of retail for decades. Today, the Arkansas-based chain is the biggest retailer in the world.
But the past 10 years have also have brought about some particularly big changes. As the decade comes to an end, Business Insider reviewed Walmart's financial statements from 2019 and 2009 to get a clear sense of how the retailer has adapted over time.
Walmart has been able to boost its e-commerce capabilities in response to the rise of competitors like Amazon, all the while growing bigger and bigger.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here's a look back at some of the changes that Walmart has undergone in the past decade:
In 2019, Walmart saw net sales of $510.3 billion ...
BusinessInsider USA Images
Irene Jiang / Business Insider
Source: Walmart
ADVERTISEMENT
... up considerably from $401.244 billion in net sales in 2009.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Irene Jiang / Business Insider
Source: Walmart
As of 2019, Walmart employs over 2.2 million people around the world.
ADVERTISEMENT
BusinessInsider USA Images
Julio Cortez/AP Images
Source: Walmart
Thats a jump from 2009, back when Walmarts workforce numbered 2.1 million employees.
BusinessInsider USA Images
ADVERTISEMENT
Jeff Mitchell / Reuters
Source: Walmart
Back in 2009, Walmart shoppers could order products on the chains website.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Stephanie Keith / Stringer / Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT
But today, Walmarts e-commerce business is a huge component of the company, helmed by Jet.com founder Marc Lore.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Source: Walmart
The companys e-commerce segment has made a number of key acquisitions since 2009, buying up brands like Jet.com, Flipkart, Moosejaw, Bonobos, and Shoes.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
BusinessInsider USA Images
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
Source: Walmart
Walmarts delivery capabilities have also come a long way since 2009. As of January 2019, 800 Walmart locations offer grocery delivery options.
BusinessInsider USA Images
ADVERTISEMENT
AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File
Source: Walmart
Back in January 2009, Mike Duke succeeded Lee Scott to become Walmarts CEO.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Sarah Conard/Reuters
ADVERTISEMENT
At the time, Doug McMillon was serving as the CEO of Walmarts international division.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Gareth Patterson / AP Images
Source: Walmart
ADVERTISEMENT
In late 2013, the companys board of directors appointed McMillon to the board and announced that he would take over from Duke in February 2014.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Mark Lennihan / AP Images
As of 2009, Walmart ran stores in 16 countries, including the United States.
ADVERTISEMENT
BusinessInsider USA Images
Tom Murray / Business Insider
Source: Walmart
Since then, the retailer has only expanded its global reach. Walmart now operates stores in 27 countries around the world, including the United States.
BusinessInsider USA Images
ADVERTISEMENT
David J. Phillip/AP Images
Source: Walmart
Since 2009, Walmart has accrued subsidiaries in India and African countries like Uganda, South Africa, and Tanzania.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Abhishek N. Chinnappa/Reuters
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Walmart
In one of the biggest testaments to Walmarts continued growth, Exxon Mobil Corporation beat out the retailer for the top spot of the Fortune 500 list in 2009.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Lisa Poole / AP Images
Source: Fortune
ADVERTISEMENT
Today, Walmart occupies the top spot.
BusinessInsider USA Images
Gunnar Rathbun/AP Images for Walmart
Source: Fortune
See Also:
ADVERTISEMENT
- Some of White Castle's frozen sliders have been recalled over listeria concerns
- The inside story of how McDonald's ex-CEO's push to modernize the chain left black franchisees behind
- Beyonc revealed the first look at her Adidas collaboration in a series of viral posts, and it shows the massive advantage she will bring to the brand
SEE ALSO: 6 major ways malls have changed over the last decade
DON'T MISS: 9 once-popular restaurant chains that have faded into bankruptcy or total oblivion in the last decade
SEE ALSO: 12 kinds of shopping tech that didn't exist 10 years ago but have changed retail as we know it
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
ADVERTISEMENT