Wal-Mart Tops Fortune 500
By: Doug Currin/Jennifer Griggy
Updated: April 16, 2007
Wal-Mart is number one again according to fortune 500 magazine.
Activist group and critic, Wal-Mart Watch.Com released a new national poll today saying Wal-Marts national favorability up from last year. And today, Fortune Magazine came out with Wal-Mart as this years number one Fortune 500 company.
The company suffered a series of public relations gaffes last year, but has launched a crusade to spruce up its image.
But earlier today, a critic of the retail giant released poll data, showing that more consumers had a favorable view of the worlds largest retailer than a year ago.
Out of 1,000 respondents, 71 percent of people had a "somewhat favorable" view of Wal-Mart, up from 69 percent in a 2006 survey, but down from 76 percent in 2005.
The poll found that 11 percent of Wal-Mart shoppers say they have shopped at Wal-Mart less because of its business and labor practices.
The poll also found that 71 percent of respondents viewed the company favorably and 70 percent reported shopping at the store at least once a month.
Last year, Exxon Mobil was the most profitable company last year by far, raking in $39.5 billion. But this year Wal-Mart is making the definitive list as the largest company.
