Free Magazine! The Associate’s Guide to Living Better Season NOVEMBER 2015 of Giving Gifts. Time. Service. Wonder. 1115_Cover (Working Copy).indd 6 10/9/15 11:29 AM Now at Walmartworld.com! Thanksgiving Treats Honoring Veterans Find recipes—classics and classics Read some of our favorite veteran stories with a twist—plus simple crafts and décor and learn more about the Greenlight A Vet for a special Thanksgiving at campaign at walmartworld.com/Veterans. walmartworld.com/Thanksgiving. Native American Culture Top Walmart World Content Join us in recognizing Native American Sign up to get our top articles and company Heritage Month as we feature successful and news delivered to your email inbox once a inspiring associates at walmartworld.com/ month—plus opt in to be part of our Expert NativeAmericanHeritage. Panel. Register at walmartworld.com/SignUp. Join the Conversation! We want to hear from you! Share your comments— including story ideas—at Walmartworld.com. 1115_JoinTheConversation (Working Copy).indd 1 10/9/15 10:24 AM ContentsNovember 2015 7 Great Gifts for Less Than $25 Available at Walmart The dinnerware shown on our cover is part of the new The Pioneer Woman line now available in 60 stores and online. Make Your 24 Table Unique Gift of Service Battle wounds led this store manager to the path of giving back. Voices 2 18 The Guide 7 Inside Walmart 13 How Star Wars Became We Are Walmart 28 a Big Bet Milestones 30 Checkout 55 My Sam Story 64 This lightbulb logo shines a light on the veterans featured throughout this issue. 1115_TOC (Working Copy).indd 1 10/9/15 9:32 AM So we are going to approach philanthropy with the same lack of reverence we gave to the traditional methods of retail business when we started out there. Sam Walton 1115_Voices.indd 2 10/12/15 10:29 AM Voices / Welcome FROM THE EDITORS Why We’re Thankful This time of year is about recognizing the good in our lives and the things we’re thankful for. That’s why so much of this issue focuses on veterans and volunteers—we’re thankful for those whose service to others makes the world a better place. Of course, this issue also offers advice to help you help customers—because exceptional service can make customers’ lives better, too. THE EDITORS Remembering Ferold Ferold Arend, Walmart’s first corporate president and chief operating officer, passed away on Oct. 8, 2015, at the age of 90. Ferold started working for Sam Walton in 1966, when only a handful of Walmart stores existed. By the time he retired in 1982, there were more than 500. In his time at Walmart, Ferold streamlined store operations and frequently spoke on the importance of personal integrity. His Walmart World column, which often appeared alongside Sam’s, held invaluable teachings for all Walmart associates. His role in Walmart’s success was recognized by Sam, who said, in 1978, “I don’t know of anyone who has contributed more toward our total success as a retail company than Ferold Arend.” Ferold’s name will live on as part of Walmart through The Walmart Museum, home of the Ferold Arend Studio, which is used for interviews with those who have shaped our company’s history and for public radio broadcasts in Northwest Arkansas. Editor in chief No responsibility can be accepted for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs, which John Soldani must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The views expressed in [email protected] this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Content manager Walmart World is a proprietary publication of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and is intended Amanda Foster for use by Walmart at its discretion. The editor reserves the right to select and edit letters for publication. Some stories may appear in other publications, including those Editorial inquiries: intended for external audiences. All material that you submit to Walmart World shall [email protected] become the property of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and submission shall be deemed a transfer of all right, title, and interest to the materials submitted. Walmart World is not responsible for verifying the accuracy of material submitted by our readers. The views and opinions expressed on third-party websites do not necessarily state or re ect those of Walmart World and are not meant to substitute for professional advice. Stores: If you’d like your subscription numbers adjusted, please email us at [email protected]. Printed on partially recycled paper Walmartworld.com 3 1115_Voices.indd 3 10/12/15 3:21 PM Voices / Just Promoted Bryan Morrison Promoted to: co-manager, Store 5192, Sacramento, Calif. What His Manager Says “Bryan works side by side with people and teaches them. If they’re not a good fit in one area, he moves them to areas where they can be successful. He’s fair and consistent, and he holds everyone accountable but earns the respect of the associates. His leadership is contagious.” Steve Tapp, former store manager, Store 5979, Lincoln, Calif. (now store manager, Store 1760, Folsom, Calif.) What Bryan Says “As an assistant manager [at Store 5979], I wasn’t afraid to get my hands dirty. I get that from the military. Our call-ins were terrible, but I’d get in there, throw freight, and talk to the associates. They saw me out there and didn’t want me to have to throw twice as much, and the call-ins decreased. It’s about respect.” Lessons From Bryan · Get your hands dirty. · Communicate with your co-workers. Dedication, loyalty, respect, · Earn people’s respect. teamwork: Sam Walton brought a Have you recently been promoted? Tell us at [email protected]. Learn more about career opportunities lot of military values to Walmart. at Walmart at careers.walmart.com. Bryan Morrison 1115_JustPromoted_BryanA (Working Copy).indd 4 10/7/15 12:51 PM Voices / You Said It My family is Native American— Choctaw. We did an event where some of my family members educated people about the tribe. We have an annual event downtown They brought food, wore traditional to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of dress, and talked about our history. St. Lucie County. It’s like a big carnival. On the same day, we had the police Managers and associates volunteer department, fire department, and for the booths, and we do a food some other organizations set up and toy drive for families. outside to hand out pamphlets and balloons and educate people Lisa Williams, asset protection, about what they do. Distribution Center 7038, Fort Pierce, Fla. Justin Davis, office associate, Store 893, Lindsay, Okla. How does your store or facility give back to your community? My personal favorite is when we take donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. We do a competition with neighboring stores to see who can get the most. There are churches and food banks in our It pushes everybody to work hard community that help the underprivileged, and get as much as they can. and our store gives to them on a daily basis. Kyle Meyerhofer, department manager, We keep track on the computer of what bakery, Store 3891, Waukegan, Ill. we give and how much. It makes a big difference for a lot of people. Barbara Smallwood, cash office associate, Store 3249, Coats, N.C. What’s Your Take? Share your thoughts about great events you’ve been involved in at walmartworld.com/GivingBack. Walmartworld.com 5 1115_YouSaidIt (Working Copy).indd 5 10/7/15 2:34 PM Walmart’s Past, Online or in Person At The Walmart Museum in Bentonville, Ark., you can see Hours of operation: Sam Walton’s 1979 Ford F150 (the steering wheel still 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. MondayThursday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday bears the chew marks of hunting dog Ol’ Roy), now a Noon to 9 p.m. Sunday symbol of Sam’s frugality. Can’t make it to Bentonville? FREE ADMISSION Visit WalmartMuseum.com/SamsTruck to learn more. 105 North Main Street, Bentonville, AR 72712 479.273.1329 WalmartMuseum.com facebook.com/walmartmuseum 1115_MuseumAd (Working Copy).indd 44 10/7/15 12:52 PM Animal Lover ✓ Stylish and Trendy ✓ Techie or Gamer ✓ Help Customers Find Just-Right Gifts for Everyone Spending on holiday gifts rose from 2013 to 2014. But budgets still matter this year, especially as Christmas lists grow. Are your customers wondering what to get? Turn the page for ideas that can help. 1115_Spark (Working Copy).indd 7 10/9/15 9:43 AM The Guide to Gifts for Everybody Gifts Under Help customers find gifts to match any personality with these top picks from Walmart buyers and category leaders. 1 Tasty Treats Holiday Time Rawhide Cane, 33 inches, 9.72 The buyer says: “Customers vote with their wallets, and we keep Animal Lover seeing them buy rawhide, treats, and toys like the Sumo, which is $5 less than our competitors. You fill it with treats, and dogs just love going after it!” Michael Smith, senior buyer, pets 3 Dogs Love This Sumo Super 2 Durable Chew Keep Your Toy, 9.82 Pup Cozy Dog Sweaters, 4.97 8 Walmartworld.com 1115_GiftGuide_MR (Working Copy).indd 8 10/9/15 12:51 PM 4 Water-Resistant Faded Glory Bubble Jackets, shown here, layered in the colors Style Seeker lunar glow and ultra-blue, 10.00 The buyer says: “The No Boundaries Jeans are an amazing quality and value. They’re $7.78 compared to $13.88 last year.” Liz Jehl, buyer, plus bottoms 6 5 Extra-Strength Retains Shape Stitching Faded Glory No Boundaries Jeggings, Jeans, 7.78 coated: 12.44, seamless: 6.94 7 USA-Made Mainstays Roasting Pan The category VP Set, 8.92 says: “The Timeless Cast Iron Skillet has a lot of versatility, so you can prepare lots of recipes, from breakfast to dinner.” Shelley Huff, vice president, divisional merchandise manager, cooking and dining 10 Must-See Movies DVDs: 9 Minions, Mission: Chef Never Miss a Beat Impossible, iFrogz Toxix Jurassic World, Headphones, 12.88 and Inside Out Music and Movie Master 8 Perfect for Oven and Stovetop The Pioneer Woman Timeless Cast Iron 10-inch Skillet, 17.42 Walmartworld.com 9 1115_GiftGuide_MR.indd 9 10/9/15 2:19 PM The Guide to Gifts for Everybody 11 Crafty Project Made by Me Easy to Knot Quilt Making, 9.97 16 Photo Fun Selfie Stick, 4.88 The buyer says: The Made by Me Easy to Techie or Gamer Knot Quilt Making was a surprise hit last year, and we expect to sell over 1.5 million dollars’ worth in about seven weeks, according to J.