Fast Company has a very informative article about the corporate behemoth known as Wal-Mart. Although I knew it was an immense company, I had no idea that “It does more business than Target, Sears, Kmart, J.C. Penney, Safeway, and Kroger combined.” Wal-Mart’s ostensible goal is to “bring the lowest possible prices to its customers,” and while admirable, this is not a purely philanthropic endeavour; lower prices obviously also mean greater profit to Wal-Mart.
After reading this article, I was somewhat surprised about the tactics that are used in this neverending pursuit of profit. Unfortunately, despite the many restrictions and profit-cutting measures imposed by Wal-Mart on other corporations, “For many suppliers … the only thing worse than doing business with Wal-Mart may be not doing business with Wal-Mart.” The article observes that
In the end, of course, it is we as shoppers who have the power, and who have given that power to Wal-Mart. Part of Wal-Mart’s dominance, part of its insight, and part of its arrogance, is that it presumes to speak for American shoppers.
I think that if more people were made aware of how Wal-Mart wields its allegedly benevolent corporate influence, they might think twice about shopping there. But I’m not holding my breath…
