Wal-Mart Research Paper
The Good and the Bad of a Wal-Mart World:
Wal-Martization in America
By
Annamarie Bailey
Submitted for Rob Wells
Abstract
By examining the pros and cons associated with the effects Wal-Mart has on America, this paper will focus on why this corporation is good and bad for America. I will explain the history of Wal-Mart and it’s enormous success today. The first point is about the effects outsourcing has on American jobs. Secondly, a point will be made to explain how newly built Wal-Marts effect small businesses and communities. The third point is about the company’s employment policies. Personal opinions will be included as a reflection of the aforementioned points made.
More than 40 years ago, the birth of a retailing phenomenon took place in America. Discount stores, such as Kmart and Target, offered a new concept for consumers that swept the nation. The owner of one tiny chain of discount stores made the decision to research this new concept to improve his own business and surpass competitors. Sam Walton saw the future of American consumerism shifting towards a different kind of store; one that would allow its customers to simultaneously purchase products at the lowest possible prices and search though a wide variety of quality merchandise. Walton’s present-day colossal global chain called Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., is primarily based on his vision. As stated on walmartfacts.com, its sales have increased dramatically for the past 20 years, and the company has become America’s largest employer (“Wal-Mart Facts,” 2007). According to CNNMoney.com, Wal-Mart is one of America’s most admired companies (“America’s Most Admired,” 2007). Wal-Mart was No. 1 on the Fortune 500 list four years in a row, dethroning what was once Exxon’s top spot (Associated Press, 2006). In 2006, Exxon reclaimed the title, but gave it back to Wal-Mart this year (Tkaczyk, 2007). It seems as if Wal-Mart is not
Wal-Martization in America
By
Annamarie Bailey
Submitted for Rob Wells
Abstract
By examining the pros and cons associated with the effects Wal-Mart has on America, this paper will focus on why this corporation is good and bad for America. I will explain the history of Wal-Mart and it’s enormous success today. The first point is about the effects outsourcing has on American jobs. Secondly, a point will be made to explain how newly built Wal-Marts effect small businesses and communities. The third point is about the company’s employment policies. Personal opinions will be included as a reflection of the aforementioned points made.
More than 40 years ago, the birth of a retailing phenomenon took place in America. Discount stores, such as Kmart and Target, offered a new concept for consumers that swept the nation. The owner of one tiny chain of discount stores made the decision to research this new concept to improve his own business and surpass competitors. Sam Walton saw the future of American consumerism shifting towards a different kind of store; one that would allow its customers to simultaneously purchase products at the lowest possible prices and search though a wide variety of quality merchandise. Walton’s present-day colossal global chain called Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., is primarily based on his vision. As stated on walmartfacts.com, its sales have increased dramatically for the past 20 years, and the company has become America’s largest employer (“Wal-Mart Facts,” 2007). According to CNNMoney.com, Wal-Mart is one of America’s most admired companies (“America’s Most Admired,” 2007). Wal-Mart was No. 1 on the Fortune 500 list four years in a row, dethroning what was once Exxon’s top spot (Associated Press, 2006). In 2006, Exxon reclaimed the title, but gave it back to Wal-Mart this year (Tkaczyk, 2007). It seems as if Wal-Mart is not
References: America’s most admired companies 2007. (2007). CNNMoney.com. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/mostadmired/2007/top20/index.html Tribune. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040803/news_1b3walmart.html Mattera, P. (2007). Wal-Mart short-changes public schools. AlterNet. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from http://www.alternet.org/rights/64943/ Newlin, K. (2006). The Wal*Martization of the universe: must its value trump our values? Shopportunity!: How to Be a Retail Revolutionary (pp Reich, R. (2005). Don’t blame Wal-Mart. New York Times. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/28/opinion/28reich.html Tkaczyk, C. (2007). Fortune 500: The Top 50. CNNMoney.com. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/ Wal-Mart Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2007, from http://www.walmartfacts.com/ Wal-Mart shopping for subsidies? (2004)