Wal-Mart InternationalSam Walton started his own company and became the leader in discount retailing that it is today. Through his business practices, he and his partners have continued the company for thirty years. Today the company is still constantly growing. Wal-Mart executives continue to rely on many of the traditional goals and philosophies that Sam's legacy left behind, while at the same time staying one step ahead of the ever-changing technology and methods of the fast-paced business environment of today. The organization has faced, and is still facing, a significant amount of controversy over several issues. In 1962, when Sam Walton opened the first Wal-Mart store in Rogers, Arkansas, no one could have predicted the enormous success of this little store. the city merchant would have done it. Sam Walton's talent for discount retailing not only made Wal-Mart the largest retailer in the world, but also the world's number one in sales. In fact, Wal-Mart was named "Retailer of the Decade" by Discount Store News in 1989, and on several occasions has been included in Fortune's list of the "10 Most Admired Companies." Even with Walton's death (after a two-year battle with bone cancer) in 1992, Wal-Mart's sales continued to grow significantly. Wal-Mart is successful not only because it makes sound strategic management decisions, but also because of its innovative implementation of those strategic decisions. Wal-Mart stores operate under the "everyday low price" philosophy. Wal-Mart emerged as an industry leader because it was better at keeping costs down, which allowed it to pass savings on to its customers. Wal-Mart has become a competitor in terms of capacity. It continues to improve its key business processes, managing them centrally and investing heavily in them for long-term ROI. Based on Wal-Mart's position in 1994, which was considered an expansion year for the company, (Wal-Mart added 103 new discount stores, 38 "Supercenters," 163 warehouse clubs, and 94,000 new associates) the debt for interest increased by 52.3%. Sam Walton expressed his belief that by 2000 Wal-Mart should be able to double the number of stores to approximately 3,000 and achieve sales of $125 billion per year.