Walmart 2008 Annual Report Download - page 5

In Wal-Mart International, Mike Duke and his team continued to
drive exceptional sales growth around the world, totaling $90.6 billion
at year’s end. The strongest underlying sales performance in the
fourth quarter came from Canada, China, Brazil and Argentina. ASDA
in the United Kingdom also continued to deliver positive results.
Internationally, the management teams in each country have signi-
cant expertise in their markets. Each individual country president
has strength behind them, and this will help us continue to grow
the Wal-Mart markets outside the United States.
Making a Difference
While achieving all of this in our business, Wal-Mart also made
progress on societal issues that are important to our associates,
our customers and the communities we serve. We have a greater
responsibility in the world. Costs for energy and healthcare continue
to rise. Concern about our planet’s future is discussed in every
corner of the globe.
Wal-Mart became a much more environmentally responsible
Company through our “Sustainability 360” approach. Just one example
is that during the past 15 months, our U.S. stores and clubs sold
145 million energy-ecient bulbs – enough to eliminate the need
for nearly three new coal-red power plants in the United States.
Only Wal-Mart can have this kind of an impact. We will follow
through on the commitments I made earlier this year on energy
eciency and sourcing.
In healthcare, I am especially proud of the eort to improve our
associate benets in the United States. We have increased signicantly
the number of associates with some form of health insurance, from
90.4 percent last year to 92.7 percent this year. We also know health-
care is a huge challenge facing our customers, and Wal-Mart has a
role to play through oering more ecient services to employers,
helping customers save money through our $4 prescription program,
opening health clinics in our stores and engaging in the broader
public policy debate.
It is important for a company like Wal-Mart to step up to make a
dierence in our communities. Even if governments can’t or won’t
address key issues, it is critical for corporations to take the lead. Our
associates and our customers expect nothing less. And they should
have high expectations when they go to the polls in the United States
this election year.
As the world’s largest private employer, Wal-Mart has the
responsibility to lead in important areas such as diversity. Our teams
must reect the communities we serve. Our associates deserve to
succeed as far as their hard work and skills can take them. In the past
year, we have continued to provide real opportunity in the workplace
around the world. For example, China continues to make progress
in hiring and promoting women. We strive to achieve a more diverse
workforce in all demographic groups in the United States. Regardless
of race, gender or where you live, each associate has the opportunity
to grow and succeed at Wal-Mart.
Better Positioned
Because we are a global company, Wal-Mart is better positioned
today than ever before to deliver on our mission. I am optimistic
about our future because I know that customers everywhere will
continue to depend on Wal-Mart to save them money so they can
live better, whether they are among the aging population or the
growing middle class. Our price leadership position helps those
willing to improve their lives through hard work move up the
economic ladder.
Above all, however, I am optimistic about Wal-Mart’s future because
of our associates. What they have been able to achieve during this
period of transformation for our Company is remarkable. Never once
have they wavered. And because of that devotion to our Company,
our shareholders, and the customers and communities we serve,
I know that we have only just begun.
Lee Scott
President and Chief Executive Ocer
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
3
I am optimistic about our future because I know
that customers everywhere will continue to depend
on Wal-Mart to save them money so they can
live better.