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Walmart: A look at how the retail giant changed shopping through the years

Portrait of Gabrielle Zabat Gabrielle Zabat
May 30, 2025, 4:28 p.m. ET
Shopper Jack Juergensen leaves a Walmart store January 24, 2002 in Mount Prospect, IL. Walmart Stores Inc. is ready to jump to the top of the Fortune 500 list with more than $220 billion in revenue for 2001, $7 billion more than oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp.
Shopper Jack Juergensen leaves a Walmart store January 24, 2002 in Mount Prospect, IL. Walmart Stores Inc. is ready to jump to the top of the Fortune 500 list with more than $220 billion in revenue for 2001, $7 billion more than oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp.
Tim Boyle, Getty Images
Customers shop during the grand opening of a Walmart Supercenter August 14, 2002 in Athens, Ohio.
Customers shop during the grand opening of a Walmart Supercenter August 14, 2002 in Athens, Ohio.
Getty Images, Getty Images
Customers shop during the grand opening of a Walmart Supercenter August 14, 2002 in Athens, Ohio.
Customers shop during the grand opening of a Walmart Supercenter August 14, 2002 in Athens, Ohio.
Getty Images, Getty Images
Jennifer Brock shops for Halloween with her mother Jeannie at a Walmart on October 28, 2002 in Alexandria, Viriginia.
Jennifer Brock shops for Halloween with her mother Jeannie at a Walmart on October 28, 2002 in Alexandria, Viriginia.
Alex Wong, Getty Images
A mother and her daughter shop November 13, 2002 at a Walmart store in Mount Prospect, Illinois.
A mother and her daughter shop November 13, 2002 at a Walmart store in Mount Prospect, Illinois.
Tim Boyle, Getty Images
A woman shops among Christmas items November 13, 2002 at a Walmart store in Mount Prospect, Illinois.
A woman shops among Christmas items November 13, 2002 at a Walmart store in Mount Prospect, Illinois.
Tim Boyle, Getty Images
A sales associate arranges back-to-school items in a Walmart store July 28, 2003 in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.
A sales associate arranges back-to-school items in a Walmart store July 28, 2003 in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.
Tim Boyle, Getty Images
Employee Mike Bohenek looks over produce as the first Wal Mart Supercenter to operate in California opened in La Quinta, March 3, 2004. The retail store is housed in 225,000 square feet of space, and features 100,000 different merchandise items.
Employee Mike Bohenek looks over produce as the first Wal Mart Supercenter to operate in California opened in La Quinta, March 3, 2004. The retail store is housed in 225,000 square feet of space, and features 100,000 different merchandise items.
Robert Galbraith, REUTERS
Employees move shopping carts as the first Walmart Supercenter to operate in the state of California, opened in La Quinta, California, March 3, 2004.
Employees move shopping carts as the first Walmart Supercenter to operate in the state of California, opened in La Quinta, California, March 3, 2004.
Robert Galbraith, REUTERS
Shoppers exit a Walmart store in Casselberry, Florida June 22, 2004.
Shoppers exit a Walmart store in Casselberry, Florida June 22, 2004.
Joe Skipper, REUTERS
After celebrating the remodeling of its Walmart Supercenter in Victorville, CA company officials are looking to give its Apple Valley store a major facelift inside the building located on Highway 18.
After celebrating the remodeling of its Walmart Supercenter in Victorville, CA company officials are looking to give its Apple Valley store a major facelift inside the building located on Highway 18.
Rene Ray De La Cruz, The Daily Press Via USA TODAY Network
Walmart employees pose at the visitors center located in the original location of one of founder Sam Walton's stores in Bentonville, Arkansas June 5, 2013.
Walmart employees pose at the visitors center located in the original location of one of founder Sam Walton's stores in Bentonville, Arkansas June 5, 2013.
Rick Wilking, REUTERS
Myles Akers, of Springfield, Missouri fills a cooler with ice in the Walmart parking lot near the Bonnaroo festival grounds.
Myles Akers, of Springfield, Missouri fills a cooler with ice in the Walmart parking lot near the Bonnaroo festival grounds.
Calvin Mattheis, Knoxville News Sentinel Via USA TODAY Network
A Black Friday shopping preview is seen ahead of the holidays at the Walmart Supercenter in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 16, 2023.
A Black Friday shopping preview is seen ahead of the holidays at the Walmart Supercenter in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 16, 2023.
Hannah Mattix, USA TODAY NETWORK
Walmart has remodeled its supercenter on Route 541 in Burlington Township as part of a $75 million program to upgrade 11 of the chain's 70 stores in New Jersey.
Walmart has remodeled its supercenter on Route 541 in Burlington Township as part of a $75 million program to upgrade 11 of the chain's 70 stores in New Jersey.
Jim Walsh/Courier-Post, USA TODAY NETWORK
Shoppers browse a Walmart Supercenter a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs, in Secaucus, New Jersey, April 3, 2025.
Shoppers browse a Walmart Supercenter a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs, in Secaucus, New Jersey, April 3, 2025.
Siddharth Cavale, REUTERS
In an aerial view, a Walmart Supercenter is seen on May 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Walmart surpassed first-quarter earnings estimate, while falling short of quarterly sales.
In an aerial view, a Walmart Supercenter is seen on May 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Walmart surpassed first-quarter earnings estimate, while falling short of quarterly sales.
Brandon Bell, Getty Images
Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, U.S. retail chain, shown in a photo dated April 5, 1992 in Little Rock.
Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, U.S. retail chain, shown in a photo dated April 5, 1992 in Little Rock.
LUKE FRAZZA, AFP Via Getty Images
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