Why do some people advocate boycotting Walmart?

Answer 1

Wal-Mart is one of the largest corporations in the world, with outlets right across the world. Living in the UK as I do, it sells under the name ASDA (which used to be ASsociated DAiries before its takeover), so I have a limited association with Wal-Mart as a group, but a great amount of experience with ASDA as a major outlet in the UK.

It is a little unfair to judge Wal-Mart and its brand, although there are some concerns. For a start, a Wal-Mart store opening in a neighbourhood often undercuts local stores so that they can eventually go out of business. However, if local shops adapt to a changed business structure, then the increased trade to a neighbourhood can positively affect their trade - provided they trade in niche markets which Wal-Mart does not touch. As an example - in my own area the larger ASDA stores provides franchises within each store for smaller specialist businesses (eg key-cutting, shoe repairs, pharmacies travel agents etc) that would never be able to afford to trade independently without ASDA's help.

Another concern is Wal-Mart's perceived care of its workforce in that critics often cite low wages, poor union tolerance and poor care for its workers. This may be so in some cases, but in the UK ASDA stores, ASDA was voted several years running as the best employer (of any kind) in the UK - by its own workforce. So, any criticism seems to need direction towards specific stores rather than sweeping statements across the whole Wal-Mart range.

Probably the most concern from social reformers, environmentalists, Christian groups and so on, is the sourcing of some of Wal-Mart's goods. Critics have complained about sourcing from the developing world and Wal-Mart's attitude towards unfair wages in those areas to keep their own costs down so that their profits are maximised. This may be so in parts of the USA, but, again, in Wal-mart UK in the guise of ASDA, ethical sourcing is given priority, and Fairtrade goods are increasingly being seen on the shelves at every store.

It is without doubt that Wal-Mart do have problems over environmental issues, ethical trading, staff contentment and so on, but no worse that many other companies who trade in the USA where environmental problems are often ignored - not only by the big conglomerates but by individuals whose gas-guzzlers cause more pollution and global warming than all other countries of the world, perhaps with the exception of China - put together.

Therefore, whilst Wal-Mart is not perfect, critics of the company lobbying others to boycott it may well be very naive and unfair, and should, perhaps, look to their own behaviour environmentally before casting stones at others.