Walmart stores, 2006. http://projects.flowingdata.com/walmart/

FlowingData has a series of animationsthat plot the expansion of Walmart, Target, and Ross store chains. The post-1995 growth among all 3 stories is shocking, but the strategies of each store have remained unique.

Walmart:

• Founded 1962, limited to MO/AR/OK/KS until mid-late 70’s
• 1984: rapid growth in south-central/southeast
• Slowing approaches northeast, takes off in 1993
• Massive growth since mid-90’s

Target:

• Founded in Minnesota, 1962
• Minor expansion across the Central U.S. in 1970
• 1987: California
• 1993: growth pace increases
• Late 90’s: East Coast
• Post-2000: extreme growth

Ross:

• Founded in San Francisco, 1965
• 1981: only 3 stores
• 1990: 100+ stores in targeted southern cities, plus Philadelphia/DC
• Still doesn’t exist in the North or Northeast