Reflecting its growing status as an omni-channel retailer, Walmart, Bentonville, Ark., announced plans to change its legal name from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. to Walmart Inc., effective Feb. 1, 2018. The name change demonstrates the company’s growing emphasis on serving customers however they want to shop—in stores, online, on their mobile device or through pickup and delivery.
“Our customers know us as Walmart, and today they shop with us not only in our stores, but online and with our app as well,” says Doug McMillon, president and CEO. “While our legal name is used in a limited number of places, we felt it was best to have a name that was consistent with the idea that you can shop us however you like as a customer. Looking ahead, we’ll continue to invest in and strengthen our stores around the world and expand our e-commerce capabilities, as we help save customers’ time and money. As time goes on, customers will increasingly just think of and see one Walmart.”
Walmart operates under nearly 60 different banners around the world, including e-commerce sites, and maintains more than 11,600 stores and clubs in 28 countries.
Walmart’s formal legal name when it incorporated on Oct. 31, 1969 was Wal-Mart, Inc. It was changed to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., on Jan. 9, 1970, and has remained in place the past 47 years, even when Walmart went public that same year. The company has been using the current Walmart logo in its operations since June 2008.