Walmart Canada marks 30 years with nationwide celebration

Walmart Canada is celebrating its 30th anniversary in Canada.

The retail chain debuted in Canada with 122 stores nationwide, offering everyday low prices and quickly becoming a staple for Canadian households. Since then, Walmart has evolved with 403 stores and over 100,000 associates serving communities from coast to coast.

“Thank you for welcoming us into your homes, into your everyday lives, and into your celebrations,” Gebara said. “As we look to the next 30 years, we’re going to continue doing what we do best: being there for you and your families with the products you need, when you need them, at the every day low prices you expect from us. That’s our promise to Canadians — and it’s the same one we launched with in 1994,” said Gonzalo Gebara, president and CEO of Walmart Canada.

Natural disasters, economic downturns and the recent global pandemic were among critical challenges for the retail chain, a statement reads.

“In that time, I’ve had countless experiences with our customers that proved to me again and again how we help Canadians save money so they can live better. From my first day as a store manager to my current role in operations 30 years later, that unwavering dedication gets me up in the morning,” said Dave Wendt, manager of central operations at Walmart Canada.

Plans to celebrate No. 30

To celebrate this milestone, Walmart Canada has launched its 30th-anniversary Rollback event, featuring discounts on thousands of products across all departments.

Additionally, Walmart Brands will introduce a birthday-inspired offering across bakery, grocery and frozen sections starting mid-May.

The celebration also includes sharing stories from Walmart Canada associates and suppliers on LinkedIn and the 30th Anniversary Hub on WalmartCanada.ca.

“The best part about being a Walmart vendor is that you’re dealing with an honest partner: someone who keeps their word, understands the concept of doing business, and that through partnership and working together you all win,” said Martin Lieberman, president of Lamour Inc.

In 2021, Walmart Canada contributed an estimated $21 billion to Canada’s GDP, a statement reads. Since its establishment in 1994, Walmart Canada says it is committed to social responsibility, having raised and donated $750 million to various charities and non-profit organizations nationwide. Furthermore, the retailer’s decision to eliminate single-use plastic bags at checkout in 2022 has resulted in an estimated annual prevention of approximately 680 million bags from entering circulation. Moreover, the company says that 97 per cent of Canadian households have access to two-day shipping through Walmart Canada.

“Local Walmart stores are a key part of their communities, offering reliable and affordable access to products made here in Canada and around the world,” said Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “The Canadian Chamber is happy to join Walmart in celebrating 30 years of doing business in Canada — both with and for the benefit of Canadian families.”