Walmart Stays True To Arkansas

While Amazon is auditioning potential host cities in something that has turned into commercial real estate’s version of “The Bachelor,” Walmart has more quietly announced news that its new headquarters will stick with the firm’s historical home of Bentonville, Arkansas.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon confirmed in a note to employees last week that the firm’s current corporate campus — a hodgepodge of more than 20 buildings that are spread across a few different comunities — have long since outlived their usefulness. Walmart’s current Arkansas headquarters was originally built in the early 1970s by founder Sam Walton. Walmart has been adding building since then, as it has grown to be the largest employer in the U.S. with 1.5 million employees.

Walmart’s new and more modern corporate campus is built around 350 acres customized to the needs of a “digitally native work force.”

“You’ll see improved parking, meal services, fitness and natural light — yes, natural light,” Doug McMillon wrote.

Walmart’s new home will house up to 17,000 workers and will be build during the next five to seven years. According to a spokesman, there was never any real consideration to moving to anyplace but Bentonville.

Meanwhile — back in the fray — more than a dozen cities and states have thrown their hat into the ring, expressing interest in being Amazon’s home away from its Seattle home. Stunts have become common.

Whether Amazon will actually make use of a rose ceremony to pick its next headquarers remains to be seen.