Martha Stewart Signs with Wal-Mart
After a series of special appearances, a TV program, and selling $400,000 houses, Martha Stewart signed with Wal-Mart to expand her Martha Stewart Brand. Wal-Mart, the largest retail store chain in the United States, has agreed to launch the Martha Stewart Crafts line.
The product line will carry two assortments – Martha Stewart Create and Martha Stewart Celebrate, both of which are now in Wal-Mart Stores in the United States and Canada. The partnership between Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, the company that created the Martha Stewart brand, and Wal-Mart, influenced the rise of Stewart’s company’s shares to 3% after suffering heavy losses when Kmart started experiencing financial woes. K-mart has been a retailer of the Martha Stewart Everyday home line since 1997.
Martha Stewart received a double degree in History and Architectural History from Barnard College. During her college years, she met her future husband Andrew Stewart, a student at the Yale Law School in 1961. They got married and Martha Stewart gave birth to Alexis in 1965.
Martha Stewart’s strong affinity and familiarity with domestic activities prompted her to establish a catering business, which proved to be a hit. Her cooking prowess facilitated her entry to the publishing business, as her company was signed to provide catering services to parties her husband was attending.
She was introduced to Alan Mirken, the head of Crown Publishing Group, who was impressed with her talent that he immediately signed her up to develop a cookbook.
Stewart also ventured into writing for magazines and newspaper columns. Most of Martha Stewart’s articles were centered on homemaking. Aside from print exposure, Martha Stewart also enjoyed airtime appearing in The Oprah Winfrey Show and Larry King Live.
In 1997, Martha Stewart established the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, where she served as its president, chairwoman, and CEO while her business partner, Sharon Patrick, functioned as the company’s Chief Finance Officer.
In 2001, Ladies Home Journal named Stewart America’s 3rd most powerful woman. A few years later, in 2005, Martha Stewart added several more to her list of achievements when she started Martha Stewart Living along with a string of successful television shows and public appearances.
More News:
Martha Stewart judges the Quickfire challenge on Bravo’s Top chef program.
The Martha Stewart Show has been syndicated for the fifth season.
Wal-Mart was founded by the late Sam Walton. The Wal-Mart fortune now rests with Walton’s heirs Helen Walton, S Robston Walton, Jim Walton, and Alice Walton. Alice Walton worked for Wal-Mart as a buyer and broker for a spell, but now does charity work. Alice Walton is the founder of Crystal Bridges museum. Alice Walton also raises horses.