September 8, 2014 Walmart’s practices are good for America. Walmart’s first store opened its doors in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas. Sam Walton, the founder, was franchising a Ben Franklin’s variety store when he came up with the idea of passing on the savings that he got from his suppliers onto his customers. This concept was the basis of his business strategy when he started Walmart. Since that July day, Walmart has been an institution that has reshaped the retail industry and America as well. The company is the world’s largest employer and more than 140 million Americans shop the Walmart stores weekly. Its fiscal year revenue eclipses its closest competition. Walmart employs 1.4 million Americans. The pay is not the best but they offer the chance …show more content…
In 2013, Walmart announced that it would offer employment to veterans within their first twelve months off active duty. The company encourages other companies to offer these opportunities to America’s veterans. Walmart makes a practice of giving back. It has given almost $2 billion in donations in the past two years. They stepped up during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, donating money more than 20 million in merchandise, food and the promise of jobs for all of its workers that were displaced. They also helped out during the Washington Wildfires and helped raise over $100,000 for a medical center for women and children in Hawaii. The Walmart Foundation recently gave a $25,000 grant to Upward Transitions, a food bank in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to improve and stock their food pantry. The Walmart Foundation State Giving Program supports organizations that help improve life for individuals. These organizations can offer assistance with payment of rent and utilities, assistants to victims of domestic violence, and transitional housing for homeless individuals. It is not limited to food …show more content…
One of the strategies they use to minimize the cost is economies of scale which causes the average production cost to fall, and output to increase. Walmart is able to benefit from this concept because they buy material in bulk from vendors they have had long term contracts with. Using this strategy they can keep the prices low. Walmart is taking steps to become more environmentally responsible. These steps are not only good for the Earth; they can save customers money as well. They plan to do this by using entirely renewable energy, creating zero waste by recycling and using less plastic bags, and by selling products that are sustainable. They have also made a commitment to purchase and preserve one acre of wildlife habitat for every acre that the company develops. With the purchasing power that Walmart wields, they can dictate to their suppliers and make them accept payments only on Walmart’s terms. They demand that they share information that goes back to when they purchased the raw materials. They control who their suppliers speak to and how and where they can sell their goods. Walmart also encourages their suppliers to support them in political