Walmart Welcomes Every Day

“Welcome to Walmart!” It’s the cheerful greeting that can be heard in our stores all over the U.S. – every single day. Not just a catch phrase that easily rolls off the tongue, but the “three little words” that beget the key to our company’s success. 

So, what does it mean to welcome? A traditional definition is “to receive a guest with pleasure and hospitality.” With this weekend being the closeout of 2016 Welcoming Week, a movement led by Welcoming America to foster inclusion and opportunity for all, I thought it would be pretty cool to tell the story of the ways that Walmart welcomes. 

It starts with our associates. You know how we always say “our people make the difference”? Well, it’s true. You see, being a global company means that our associates are a diverse lot and we love that about us.  It means that in our stores and clubs, we can relate to our customers and serve them in ways that are relevant and meaningful to them. Our associates bring their whole selves to their work, and integrate their cultural values with Walmart’s founding values; that makes for truly exceptional people. 

Walmart associates are your neighbors, your friends, even your family, and they deliver the company’s core beliefs of service to customers and striving for excellence with friendly smiles and efficient practices. 

“Ensuring my customers feel welcome is a focus every single day in my store. I help my customers feel comfortable. Some customers drive 30-40 minutes out of their way, just to come to my store. That’s when I know we’re doing something right.” - Bogey, Store Manager , #1220, Orlando, FL.

Working in a culture that is diverse and inclusive makes Walmart an enriching place to launch or accelerate one’s career. Literally thousands of associates have experienced this; joining Walmart from all over the globe, and realizing that yeah, it’s impressive from the outside, but on the inside, it is absolutely amazing!

Some of my fellow associates shared how they’ve experienced being welcomed at Walmart, and how nice it feels to be accepted in a new place.

“In Walmart, there are lots of great leaders and mentors to model after. People are very willing to teach and train to build new generations of talent. It’s wonderful to see how welcoming everyone can be. The open-hearted spirit of people is the American attitude.” Zakir Syed, Director of Category & Modular, Walmart Home Office, Bentonville, AR.

Being welcoming – it’s at the heart of our business. So the next time you hear, “Welcome to Walmart!” You know the greeting is genuine and sincere, and you really are welcome.