Walmart was founded in Arkansas by Sam Walton in 1962 and grew to become the world’s largest chain of discount retail department stores. Many business writers believe that the American economy goes as Walmart goes—if Walmart isn’t attracting customers, it means that Americans don’t have money to buy things.
 
“As Walmart goes, so goes the nation?” so cited in print in September 2007 and “As Walmart goes so goes the economy?” in April 2009. “As goes Walmart, so goes America” was said by American trend forecaster Gerald Celente in June 2009.
 
“As Maine goes, so goes the nation” is a classic saying about American elections that dates to the early 1800s.
 
   
Wikipedia: Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., branded as Walmart /ˈwɒlmɑrt/, is an American multinational retail corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world’s largest public corporation, according to the Fortune Global 500 list in 2014, the biggest private employer in the world with over two million employees, and the largest retailer in the world. Walmart remains a family-owned business, as the company is controlled by the Walton family, who own over 50 percent of Walmart. It is also one of the world’s most valuable companies.
 
The company was founded by Sam Walton in 1962, incorporated on October 31, 1969, and publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 1972. It is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. Walmart is also the largest grocery retailer in the United States. In 2009, it generated 51 percent of its US$258 billion sales in the U.S. from grocery business. It also owns and operates the Sam’s Club retail warehouses in North America.
 
Technically Speaking, Market Analysis and Theory
September 5, 2007
Flagpoles: The Crowd and The Cowed
(...)
Have we moved into an era where “as Walmart goes, so goes the nation?”
 
Google Groups: alt.thinkquest
As Walmart goes so goes the economy?
Figaro
4/21/09
Walmart, one of the few bright spots in the dreary retail picture, is in deep doo doo. It’s sales are slumping and its stock is tarnished. Walmart has slipped from atop the Fortune 500 list after six years, replaced by Exxon Mobile while it’s shares have been downgraded by Merrill from neutral to sell after Merrill predicted a coming drop in profits. If consumers cut back shopping even at the country’s leading low-cost “bargain” stores, what does that bode for the economy as a whole? Nothing good.
 
SHTFplan.com
Gerald Celente: As Goes Walmart, So Goes America
Mac Slavo
June 6th, 2009
If you are concerned about what’s next, this is a must-see interview. Gerald Celente discusses economic and societal trends on the Alex Jones show June 5, 2009. Discussions include the bailout bubble, too small to saves, too big to fails, politics, financial markets, and global conflict.
   
OrganicMania
Walmart Knows What’s Best for Us Green Moms. Right?
October 14th, 2009
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After all, as Walmart goes, in large part, so goes Middle America.
   
Consumerist
Walmart Customer Traffic And Total Sales Down
By Laura Northrup February 18, 2010
Is it a good sign or a bad one for the American economy if Walmart’s sales are down nationwide? Does it mean that the affluent are back on their feet and no longer forced to shop downscale, or that none of us has any money at all?
 
If you live in the real world, you probably guessed “the second one.” You are correct.
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So, people are buying fewer TVs and frozen chicken fingers at Walmart, but still buying ibuprofen and shampoo. However, as Walmart goes, so goes the nation (a scary thought.) If all consumer spending is down, not just Walmart, that is a bad sign for the rest of the economy.

22 February 2013, Winchester (VA) Star,  “Poor, middle class woes reflected by Walmart” by Anne D’Innocenzio (AP Business Writer), pg. B5, col. 3:
NEW YORK — As the fortunes of many Americans go, so goes Walmart, so goes the economy.
   
Twitter
Not Jim Cramer
‏@Not_Jim_Cramer
As goes WalMart, so goes the world http://screencast.com/t/kg3Waazl1q
7:55 AM - 14 Nov 2013
 
Zero Hedge
As Goes WalMart…
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 11/14/2013 18:45 -0400
...so goes global GDP…?
 
Twitter
Terry Held
‏@terryheld
As goes Walmart so goes the US economy. Tough upcoming year. http://on.mktw.net/1nQbGhM
from Bentonville, AR
7:09 AM - 20 Feb 2014
 
Twitter
POWERMANIUM
‏@Powermanium
And as trend forecaster Gerald Celente once noted, “as goes #Walmart, so goes America.”
http://etfdailynews.com/2014/03/10/economist-warns-of-collapse-risk-dow-jones/2/ …
#economy #recession
12:05 PM - 12 Mar 2014
 
Twitter
Jose L. Trevino Sr
‏@trevino_sr
As Walmart goes—so goes CHINA’s Work Force. “Made In China”
9:42 PM - 17 May 2014
 
YouTube
As WalMart Goes So Goes Americas Economy
Cindie Sipper
Published on May 18, 2014