BENTONVILLE, Ark., April 20 -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) today issued its 2009 Annual Report to Shareholders, an executive summary of its 2009 Global Sustainability Report, and its 2009 annual proxy statement, announcing the company's annual shareholders' meeting to be held at 7 a.m. on June 5 at Bud Walton Arena on the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville . Shareholders must be owners of record of Wal-Mart common stock as of the close of business on April 9, 2009 to vote at the 2009 annual shareholders' meeting.
" Wal-Mart's performance last year would be considered strong at any time and for any retailer, and certainly during one of the most difficult global economies in decades," wrote Mike Duke , in his first letter to shareholders since becoming president and chief executive officer Feb. 1 .
"Our U.S. stores are delivering faster checkouts, a friendlier shopping experience and cleaner presentations," he continued. "We are on the move internationally and today have more stores in more markets. People who have never shopped with us previously are now loyal customers. Sam's continues to show the distinct value of club membership."
Wal-Mart created 33,000 jobs in the United States last year, in addition to thousands more in markets outside the country.
"These good jobs offer competitive wages and benefits and the opportunity to advance," he wrote. "We plan to create tens of thousands of jobs again this year."
Duke reiterated Wal-Mart's commitment to environmental sustainability, which he called a permanent part of the company's culture, helping Wal-Mart reduce waste, lower costs and provide savings to customers.
"There will be no part of this Company anywhere in the world that does not contribute to making Wal-Mart more sustainable," he wrote.
In fact, Wal-Mart reduced the number of annual reports printed from more than 2.3 million last year to approximately 1.1 million this year by inviting shareholders to receive the report electronically. This reduced the company's requirement for paper, ink and fuel needed to ship the reports.
Wal-Mart also issued an executive summary of its 2009 Global Sustainability Report, highlighting the company's economic, environmental and social performance. The full report will be available online by the end of July.
Separately today, the company also announced that Wal-Mart board member and former President and Chief Executive Officer David Glass will retire from the board on June 5 . Glass joined Wal-Mart in 1976, later succeeding the company's founder Sam Walton as president and CEO, serving in that role from 1988 until retiring in 2000. Glass has been a member of Wal-Mart's board since 1977.
Wal-Mart's annual report and proxy can be read online at www.walmartstores.com/annualmeeting, and the sustainability report can be read at www.walmartstores.com/sustainability.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Walmart discount stores, supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam's Club locations in the United States . The company also operates in Argentina , Brazil , Canada , Chile , China , Costa Rica , El Salvador , Guatemala , Honduras , India , Japan , Mexico , Nicaragua , Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom . The company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.
SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
04/20/2009
CONTACT: Media Relations, John Simley , +1-479-277-0212, or Investor Relations, Mike Beckstead , +1-479-277-9558, both ofWal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Web Site: www.walmartstores.com