Reflecting what it termed its growing status as an omnichannel retailer, Walmart plans to change the company’s legal name from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. to Walmart Inc., effective February 1, 2018.
The name change demonstrates the company’s growing emphasis on serving customers seamlessly 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,” said Doug McMillon, Walmart 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’s formal legal name when it incorporated on October 31, 1969, was Wal-Mart, Inc. It was changed to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., on January 9, 1970, and has remained in place the past 47 years since Walmart went public that same year. The company has been using the current Walmart logo in its operations since June 2008.
Walmart will continue to trade on the stock exchange as WMT, the company noted.