Wal-Mart Shareholders 2008: The Meeting That Was

Almost two dozen news sources have covered Wal-Mart’s annual shareholders meeting that took place in Arkansas on Friday. The fact that so many news sources - and they’re mostly even REPUTABLE news sources - have covered the meeting is noteworthy itself. No other company receives so much media coverage just for holding a meeting. No other company’s meeting is hosted by Queen Latifah, either, but that’s another story.

Wal-Mart Meeting Features Musical Star Power [NW Arkansas Morning News]

There was a common topic among attendees of the Wal-Mart shareholders meeting as they filed out of Bud Walton Arena Friday morning - and it sure wasn’t about the purple tie Lee Scott was sporting.

What would Sam say? [Benton County Daily Record (Ark.)]

As Rob Walton, chairman of the Wal-Mart Board and son of the late Sam Walton, looked out at the audience gathered at Bud Walton Arena on Friday morning, he answered that question with confidence.

Wal-Mart employees whoop, holler at annual meeting [Reuters]

This year’s four-hour sound-and-light presentation, held on Friday, featured Wal-Mart’s top brass as well as performers like Master of Ceremonies Queen Latifah and country star Tim McGraw.

Smiles All Around at Wal-Mart’s Annual Meeting [New York Times]

Like its stock price, Wal-Mart’s image has begun to reverse direction. The chain has won over many longtime critics with a series of prominent reforms. It has expanded its employee health care plans and started selling 30-day prescriptions of generic drugs for $4 each, forcing its rivals to match those prices.

Wal-Mart Shareholders Cheer Company’s Year Performance [NW Arkansas Morning News]

The event is more play than work, but there were some big improvements to the company - improvements largely credited to the 2 million Wal-Mart employees - worth celebrating for employees and shareholders.

Shareholders celebrate Wal-Mart [Northwest Arkansas Times]

Seemingly immune to the economic woes of the country, the world’s biggest retailer spared no expense on enter taining about 17, 000 people at its annual shareholders meeting Friday in Bud Walton Arena.

Wal-Mart Proud (insert applause here) [Reuters Shop Talk Blog]

Upon entering Wal-Mart Stores annual shareholder meeting, an observer might be forgiven for thinking they had just walked into a lively, national political convention.

Tim McGraw Sings at Wal-Mart Shareholder Meeting [CMT News]

Tim McGraw performed at Wal-Mart’s annual shareholder meeting on Friday morning (June 6) in Fayetteville, Ark. He flew to the meeting after a concert the previous night in Holmdel, N.J., then departed for his show tonight in Buffalo, N.Y.

Wal-Mart China receives Hero Award [Benton County Daily Record (Ark.)]

Susan Chambers, vice president of the People Division, said the Wal-Mart China associates worked tirelessly to help their communities.

Wal-Mart touts changes, vision at annual meeting [Reuters]

Wal-Mart Stores Inc used its latest gathering of shareholders to congratulate itself for getting U.S. sales back on track, while indulging in nostalgia for its founder, Sam Walton, and touting its potential to be a leader in solving issues facing consumers worldwide.

Wal-Mart keeps low-price mantra going at meeting [Associated Press]

Wal-Mart officials, bolstered by a rebounding stock price and improved image, told shareholders on Friday that their renewed focus on price and better merchandise is winning over customers who they expect to keep when the sluggish economy improves.

Wal-Mart doing well by doing good [CNN Money]

Not all of the critics have been quieted. Wal-Mart Watch, for instance, says that one way the retailer is able to lower food costs is by importing a lot of items from China, where safety issues have been a concern.

CEO Offers Wal-Mart as Partner to Solve Big Problems [Arkansas Business]

In the boldest move yet in the ongoing effort to transform the image of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. from that of a problem to a solution, CEO H. Lee Scott said the next President of the United States has an ally in the world’s largest company.

Wal-Mart Reshapes Its Image [NW Arkansas Morning News]

Wal-Mart was under fire on several fronts during last year’s shareholders meeting. The retail giant was criticized for its treatment of employees in regards to pay and health care, and cities large and small were denying permits to build stores. What a difference a year makes.

Wal-Mart Reaches Out to Candidates, Congress [Wall Street Journal]

Sounding more like the ruler of a sovereign nation than a corporate chief executive, the leader of retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. used the annual shareholder meeting to sketch out a broad agenda to improve customers’ lives, and offered to partner with governments to solve social problems.

Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Monday, June 09, 2008

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