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LIKE A VIRUS.
This visualization of Wal-Mart's expansion across America is very cool. Incidentally, I'm always surprised that so few people know that Wal-Mart is, by revenues and by private sector employment, the largest company in the world.
 Momma said wonk you out 
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COMMENTS (15)
Wasn't there some stupid article by Broder or Friedman about how China now had the largest corporation (and other countries had bigger buildings, etc) and that this meant America was in decline?
Posted by: Zach | February 12, 2009 5:20 PM
For what it's worth, the emotional impact of watching this is very different when your background music is "What the Snowman Learned About Love." Oh look: green snowflakes and a world full of goodness!
Posted by: Opie Curious | February 12, 2009 5:26 PM
How depressing. I heard an interview with an author doing a biography on the departing CEO of Walmart. He made the point that as of today, there's nowhere in the US where you have to go more than a short drive to shop at Walmart.
The little dots remind me of some older-looking graphics for a nuclear attack on the US.
Posted by: Jaycal | February 12, 2009 5:41 PM
The big burst when they get into South Carolina in 1983-ish is pretty interesting, since they're still not in Georgia at that point.
Posted by: Aaron S. Veenstra | February 12, 2009 5:41 PM
when did they overtake siemens as the largest company in the world?
Posted by: trishka | February 12, 2009 5:57 PM
I wonder what Starbucks would look like? Well now, I guess there would also be a remission phase.
Posted by: Bob Oso | February 12, 2009 6:07 PM
Looks like the spread of cancer.
Posted by: michael moore | February 12, 2009 6:16 PM
At least no Walmart store pollutes the city of Washington.
Posted by: Herschel | February 12, 2009 6:56 PM
As of 2004, if Walmart was a country, it would be China's 8th biggest trading partner - ahead of Russia, Australia and Canada. I would think that would be even higher by now.
Posted by: McKingford | February 12, 2009 7:08 PM
I'd like to see one for Woolworth's.
Posted by: Senescent | February 12, 2009 7:18 PM
And how about Piggly Wiggly?
Posted by: Herschel | February 12, 2009 8:29 PM
Why do I have an urge to add The Andromeda Strain to my NetFlix queue now?
Posted by: spot check billy | February 12, 2009 9:35 PM
Walmart is also bigger by market cap than any oil company but ExxonMobil.
Posted by: TL | February 13, 2009 7:55 AM
Wonder why all those people shop there?
Posted by: El Viajero | February 13, 2009 12:49 PM
This guy made another visualization for Target. The same style, but the different business model is quite evident. Wal-Mart does expand like a virus, while the Target expansion looks like each store opening was a deliberate attempt to fill a market.
Posted by: Adam | February 15, 2009 1:40 PM