The Benefits Of Walmart

The introduction of a large grocer like Walmart into a community is not without controversy however. When a large corporate grocer comes into a community, it can be very difficult for smaller grocers to compete. Walmart has an extensive nationwide distribution system with many warehouses, allowing it to more efficiently store and transport inventory. This gives them a large advantage over smaller grocers, as it allows them to price items as a lower price since their expenses are also lower. In this regard, Walmart could be viewed as an economic disruptor by owners of former grocery stores, as it drives them out of business by possessing many competitive advantages. If the competition is driven away by Walmart, Walmart may be free to raise prices

This is a common them across the United States as many workers have indicated a need for wages, taking part in the Fight for 15 Movement, which asks for a living wage for all workers in the United States. Many believe that Walmart does not treat workers fairly, and this has been a common narrative for many other large grocers and retailers as well. Walmart is not entirely blameworthy however. Walmart recently announced that it would raise its minimum wage to $10 per hour, which is a significant jump up from many other competitors. For consumers, the industrialization of grocers has increased the variety of food options and reduced food prices, but has driven away small grocers and produced an abundance of unhealthy processed foods. For entry-level workers, these retailers have provided many new job opportunities, some paying an above average wage for the industry, but this industrialization has also reduced jobs at smaller retailers and provided below satisfactory pay for new entry-level workers. The industrialization of agriculture has also impacted consumers and entry-level

While genetically modified foods have not been proven to be categorically unsafe, many consumer groups still oppose them on fears of future health concerns, and the secrecy of the highly industrial agricultural corporations certainly isn’t helping to soothe these fears. The industrialization of farming has impacted entry-level workers in these industries as well. Tracie McMillan documents many cases of downright illegal business practices used against workers working in these industries. One example of such an unscrupulous practice is, “The problem is that, somewhere between the farm and our paychecks, the company is changing the number of hours for which it is paying us” (McMillan, 75). While the company pays piece-rate, instead of paying the worker minimum wage for the hours they worked to make up for the difference, the company adjusts the hours so that it looks like they are actually paying workers the minimum