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Walton's hobbies always take a backseat to his company. He plays a fine game of tennis, but he reportedly can be easily distracted by canny opponents who bring up the topic of Wal-Mart. Another favorite pastime is quail hunting; Walton often takes his two pointer dogs along with him on his business trips in case any opportunities arise. His only obvious material luxury is a twin- engine Cessna, which he frequently pilots on his constant travels from store to store.
Though Walton has achieved folk-hero status in small-town America, his company has its critics. The country's 100,000 independent manufacturer's representatives are currently incensed at Wal-Mart, claiming that the chain is trying to run them out of business by dealing directly with its suppliers. Meanwhile, Mom-and-pop-store owners contend that Wal-Mart's cut-rate prices have helped wipe out Main Street shopping. In the past, Wal-Mart's conservative management has drawn some flak for being too slow to promote women, which the company says is untrue, and for being too quick to submit to Preacher Jimmy Swaggart's plea to ban rock magazines like Rolling Stone from store racks.
But that just highlights the paradox of Wal-Mart. For all its lingering Bible Belt ways, the company is in most other respects forward thinking. When it comes to technology, Wal-Mart leads the industry. The company is now installing a satellite communications system that will enable a constant stream of sales and inventory data to flow between each store and headquarters. Such information is quickly relayed to ten giant warehouses, which keep the stores well stocked at all times. Every Wal-Mart is within a day's drive of one of these storage depots.
The largest question looming over Wal-Mart is what will happen to the company when Mr. Sam is no longer in charge. The founder, who has a mild form of leukemia, which is now in remission, has gradually turned over day-to-day control to Glass, 51, and Shewmaker, 49, one of whom is likely to become the next chief executive. The titular position of chairman may go to the founder's eldest son, S. Robson Walton, 42, who is at present one of the company's vice chairmen. But Mr. Sam shows no signs of giving up his trademark store visits. For some time to come, Wal-Mart employees will have to be on the lookout for the gray-haired gentleman who loves to exclaim, "Give me a W!"