Walmart Effects

Marina Rusanov

Ethics Research Paper

The Wal-Mart Effect: The overwhelming impact of the world's largest company--due to its relentless pursuit of low prices--on retailers and manufacturers, wages and jobs, the culture of shopping, the shape of our communities, and the environment; a global force of unprecedented nature. (C. Fishman. Wal-Mart effect)

Wal-Mart the superstore chain had first evolved over 30 years ago by its creator Sam Walton. Back then it was an idea to develop a one stop store where consumers can purchase all their needs in one store. It has since then, grown into one of the largest retailers ever imagined. It affects local and global economies in the sense that no one can beat their outstanding prices and offers. Since prices are so low and appealing to its consumers they have become the target of many communities. With such an immediate economic development most communities would welcome a store of such, however many are protesting its ethical stance and its major affect on America. The company has developed into a mini economic ecosystem (Fishman, Cover).

Since America is based mainly on small businesses, we have to take thought of how these businesses now run with such a large store taking over their customer base and all of their profit. Consumers are all attracted to Wal-Mart because they are now capable of shopping for all their needs in one place rather then having to go to several different locations. They will spend the extra time driving to its locations in thought that in the end they will be saving much more money. So the question arises why be against such a store when the people of America are getting their time and moneys worth? All the Wal-Mart stores are strategically placed into little towns where everybody else was ignoring them. Turns out that these small towns acquire more business then anyone could think of. This forces all the small family businesses to either lower their prices to points where no profit will be made or to just simply go out of business. Certain stores will have their strong and loyal customers and won't see any of these side affects, however for the most part they find no reason to compete with such a large