Walmart

What makes Walmart such a significant topic' Is it because its such a controversial subject, or perhaps is it because it is so profound. There are so many perspectives on Walmart some good some bad. Walmart effects the world because there are Walmart’s everywhere. Walmart is a essential business in the world today. Many people are looking for convenience, and ways to save time because it seems like people are busier. Since Walmart is a superstore that caries everything from food to electronics its a “one stop shop.” The people who shop here are benefited in many ways, for example the prices for items at Walmart are cheaper then they would be at a store that would specialize in a specific item like cloths. Cloths that you would buy at a clothing store for $50 would be $20 at a Walmart. Just having a Walmart in your town can improve consumer welfare by 3.75%. Walmart is by far one of the most successful companies. Walmart currently has 180,000,00 employes world wide. It is providing jobs for people who need them. Walmart also makes 220 Billion dollars a year. Walmart has also gone green. As of 2005 Walmart has publicly announced goals to make the mega store policies more environmentally friendly. They pledged to have all stores running off of 100 percent renewable energy, create zero waste and to make more environmentally friendly products. in 2007 Walmart released their "sustainability 360" storewide policies. While it appears as though Walmart is turning a new leaf, there are still reports concerning their lack of eco-consciousness. Currently, there are 20 US Walmart stores in California and Hawaii that run predominantly off of solar power with another 20-30 planned in Arizona and California. These thin solar panels are expected to provide 20-30 percent of the store's power needs (about 22.5 kWh) and will be designed, installed, maintained and owned by SolarCity. Walmart made their huge fleet of delivery vehicles more fuel-efficient, and the company reports that it achieved a 38 percent increase in efficiency by installing fuel-saving technologies, loading trucks more efficiently, and improving its routing system to eliminate un needed travel. Walmart also has announced that they will eliminate 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from its global supply chain by the end of 2015, a tall order for a store located in 70 different countries and suppliers around the world. These suppliers, must also comply with Walmart's sustainable policies and energy efficiency standards such as they require factories around the world to certify compliance with laws and regulations where they operate as well as rigorous social and environmental standards, partner with suppliers to improve energy efficiency and use fewer natural resources, Higher standards of product safety and quality, Walmart aims to drive returns on defective merchandise virtually out of existence, and all direct import suppliers plus all suppliers of private label and non-branded products must provide the name and location of every factory used to make the products. For all these reasons Walmart is good. Everything has a bad side and Walmart is no exception. Many believe that Walmart is a bad thing to have in your town or city for many reasons. The employes are treated horribly at these superstores. The wages are below average, and there is no healthcare. Walmart employes have very few benefits such as vacation and personal time, and every Walmart associate receives special discounts on everyday goods. Some of the best Walmart savings for the employees include, 10% off on fresh vegetables and fruits, 10% off on regular priced general merchandise, 10% off on eye-wear at Walmart Vision Center, etc. Employees can also get special discounts at the official website of Walmart with the help of their associate discount card. That may seem good but if you think about it they hide the lack of benefits with one that everybody wants. Who wouldn't want 10% off already cheap merchandise. Theres no healthcare, dental, no long term benefits, no annuities, and no permanent Impairment benefit. Walmart is also very sexiest. The women who work at Walmart are treated worse, payed less then men, and theres rarely a female CEO. Walmart seems to destroy small towns. In most small towns there are locally owned stores. But when a Walmart moves in it could devastate these little stores and put them out of business because they couldn't compete with the mega store. Then the people who owned the small store and all of there employees need to find work. Then there are less jobs for citizens because a single Walmart can only hire so many people. This is why Walmart is a terrible company to have in your town. There are always two sides to every argument and in this case theres no right answer. There are just as many people who like Walmart as there are people who hate it. Although there are many negatives to having a Walmart in your town, it seems that the positives outweigh the negatives.