Walmart's Impact On America

For decades now, Walmart has been one of the most successful retailers in America. Walmart has become a household name in nearly every house in the country, even outside of this country, because of their low prices and vast selection. But despite all the popularity that has been built up with Walmart, its impact on the American economy and society has been mostly negative. As being one of the biggest box stores in the world, Walmart has left a huge trail of destruction in the way they treat their workers, their customers, small businesses, and local communities. To start off, as the largest retailer in the U.S., Walmart has buying power which they use to negotiate lower prices from their suppliers. Walmart is known for its low prices, but these prices come at a cost. The company has been known for paying its employees low wages and providing few benefits, which can lead to poverty and financial instability. According to a report by the Economic Policy Institute,”Average Walmart hourly pay ranges from approximately $9.48 per hour for Courtesy Associate”(Indeed), which is not even enough to support a family. Walmart has also been accused of

One proposed solution is to enforce antitrust regulations, to prevent Walmart from having too much market power. Another option is to introduce living wage laws and stricter labor regulations, to ensure that Walmart employees are treated fairly and with dignity. “Get fired for any little thing, they don’t value their employees at all, management sucks” (Indeed)This quote comes from one of their current employees. This was posted on September 14, 2011. It gets worse from there. Encouraging the development of local businesses, and investing in American manufacturing, can also help to reduce Walmart's dominance and promote a more diverse