Essentials of Business Management When Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart store in 1962, it was the beginning of an American success story that no one could have predicted.

When Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart store in 1962, it was the beginning of an American success story that no one could have predicted. A small-town merchant who had operated variety stores in Arkansas and Missouri, Walton was convinced that consumers would flock to a discount store with a wide array of merchandise and friendly service. Hence, Wal-Mart's mission is to deliver big-city discounting to small-town America. Sam's Roots From humble, hard-working roots, Sam Walton …

…Trimble, Sam Walton: The Story Inside America's Richest Man (New York: Dutton, 1990) 4. www.SmartLeadership.com 5. Inc Magazine, Spies Like Us, Stemberg, Tom, with Gruner, Stephanie. August, 1998, p45-48 6. Inc Magazine, The Mentors, Welles, Edward O. June, 1998, p48-50 7. www.walmart.com 1996, 1997, 1998 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 8. Stone, Kenneth E. Competing With the Retail Giants. (New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1995) 9. Taylor, D., Archer ,J.S. Up Against the Wal-Marts. (New York: AMACOM, 1994) 10. Microsoft Encarta 98. Samuel Walton