Wal-Mart dubbed an ‘Inspiring Company’

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. ranked No. 2 behind Apple among a list of "25 Most Inspiring Companies" — selected from a consumer survey overseen by Atlanta-based Performance Inspired Inc. and published in Forbes.

The survey asked  2,175 consumers to identify the top 25 companies in America they deemed inspirational and ask them to describe their most recent encounter with each company. The goal of the survey was to find a correlation between successful companies and those that inspire their consumers.

An ongoing bribery investigation in Wal-Mart's Mexican business unit did not prevent the Bentonville behemoth from making this year's list. The retailing giant was cited for keeping its promises to providing low prices in addition to charitable contributions made in the communities it serves.

Critics say the list is heavy with retailers and found it interesting to see brands that built America's global reputation like Caterpillar, Lockheed Martin or United Technologies were overlooked.

Top 10 Most Inspiring Companies:

1. Apple
2. Wal-Mart
3. Target
4. Google
5. Microsoft
6. Amazon
7. Chick-fil-A
8. Starbucks
9. McDonald’s
10. Coca-Cola