Walmart 2009 Annual Report Download - page 7

This is an exciting time at Walmart, as we are seeing more and more families across
the United States trust Walmart’s promise to help them save money so they can live
better. Now more than ever, the entire organization is fully aligned to stand by this
promise every day.
Consumers faced increasing challenges and uncertainties throughout the year.
Our commitment to price leadership helped them save money when they needed it
the most, which drove signi cant increases in store tra c. More people shopped at
Walmart U.S. this year than ever before. More customers also shopped online during
the year and their use of our Site to Store® free delivery service led to a record year for
sales with this program.
We continue to build credibility and authority as the destination for many products
customers want and need. Our assortments emphasize categories in which the Walmart
brand has authority, where we can o er a full line of products and realize scale advan-
tages. We began to integrate our global sourcing capabilities with the merchandise units
in our three operating segments to accrue bene ts – from improved product quality
to cost e ciencies – that will strengthen our value proposition around the world.
Walmart surveys hundreds of thousands of customers monthly, asking them to rate
their shopping experience. By year-end, the scores reflected record-high levels of
satisfaction. Our faster checkouts, friendlier associates and cleaner stores are bringing
more customers to our stores and driving increases in same-store tra c.
We are remodeling our stores, making them easier to shop, and leveraging technology
to ensure increased operational efficiencies. The initial customer response to our
Project Impact store remodeling plan has been positive. Under this plan, we expect
to update approximately 700 new and existing stores this year.
Our logistics team implemented a number of productivity initiatives in warehouse
handling and transportation. We passed along these savings to our customers through
lower prices. Walmart reduced inventory levels from the prior year, a tremendous
achievement, and one that exceeded our goal of growing inventory at half the rate of
sales growth.
The combination of lower inventory and improvements in merchandise quality and
presentation is contributing to a better customer experience and stronger  nancial
performance. These achievements, along with our disciplined capital allocation process,
helped Walmart U.S.  nish the year with a solid improvement in return on investment.
It is a credit to all Walmart associates across the country that we had such a successful
year. We are dedicated to providing associates with opportunities that offer good
jobs, complemented by a revitalized training and development program that facilitates
career growth. Our associates are energized by last year’s results, but more importantly,
by the opportunities that all of us see in the future.
Eduardo Castro-Wright
Vice Chairman,
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.,
responsible for the
Walmart U.S. Division
Wal-Mart 2009 Annual Report 5
Net Sales $255.7 billion
Operating Income $ 18.8 billion
Number of Units 3,656*
*As of 1/31/09
Fast, Friendly, Clean: Our promise of fast
checkout, friendly associates and clean
stores drove increases in customer experi-
ence scores throughout 2008 to reach
record levels by the end of the year.
More Brands Than Ever: Walmart U.S.
continues to increase its offerings of
top brands for less, including Sony®,
Samsung®, Dell®, Nintendo®, Garmin®,
Dyson®, KitchenAid®, Chicago Cutlery®,
L.e.i.®, Danskin Now® and Starter®.
better.®