[Shadow_Group] Fw: Supersize Me, Says Wal-Mart

[shadowgroup-l at lists.resist.ca]

Supersize Me, Says Wal-Mart
David Teather in New York 
The Guardian - UK
10-6-4
 
Wal-Mart just keeps getting bigger. The retailer, already the largest in
the world, announced aggressive expansion plans yesterday for the coming
year, aiming to open or extend up to 530 stores around the world. 
  
The announcement is likely to stir the debate about the hidden costs of
Wal-Mart's low prices and its continued unchecked growth. 
  
At the last count, Wal-Mart employed 1.3 million workers in the United
States, making it the nation's largest employer. The company has revenues
of $256bn (£144bn) and is the eighth biggest trading partner with China.
The retailer has crushed rivals such as Toys R US, now up for sale, and
Kmart, which was propelled into bankruptcy. 
  
Wal-Mart intends to open up to 165 additional stores outside the United
States. The company did not break the figures down further but said
specific plans for Asda in Britain were likely to be announced next
month. 
  
Britain has proven to be Wal-Mart's most successful overseas operation,
in an otherwise mixed performance. This year the company opened 11 new
Asda superstores, bringing the total to 267, and three George clothing
outlets. 
  
In the US, the plans consist of 40 to 45 new discount stores, 240 to 250
new supercentres, up to 30 new neighbourhood market stores and up to 40
of its Sam's Club brand. Up to 160 of the new supercentres, will be
relocations or expansions of existing smaller discount stores. 
  
Wal-Mart needs to keep growing to meet Wall Street expectations but the
company is beginning to meet resistance to its conspicuous expansion,
particularly as it runs out of small towns and starts to target urban
locations. 
  
The retailer has a bad reputation as an employer. Critics argue that it
pays low wages, has poor working conditions and bans unions. There are
also increasing concerns about its effect on local businesses and the net
effect on an area's jobs and income levels. Communities in poor suburbs
of Los Angeles and Chicago have defeated Wal-Mart's plans to open local
stores. 
  
The retailer has also met with resistance from campaigners in Vermont,
where the concern is that large Wal-Marts on the fringes of small towns
rip the heart out of downtown areas. 
  
Manufacturers in the US also complain that the retailer uses its buying
power to force suppliers to source goods and components overseas. 
  
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1320661,00.html<http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1320661,00.html>  

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