https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/12/walmart-prices-poverty-economy/681122/

Walmart’s many defenders argue that the company is a boon to poor and middle-class families, who save thousands of dollars every year shopping there.

Two new research papers challenge that view. Using creative new methods, they find that the costs Walmart imposes in the form of not only lower earnings but also higher unemployment in the wider community outweigh the savings it provides for shoppers.

I am shocked, shocked I tell ya.

    • prole [any, any]@hexbear.netEnglish
      25·
      3 days ago

      The Bentonville, Ark., chain founded by billionaire Sam Walton got its start 28 years ago by opening stores in rural towns like the 5,600-population Hearne. The 1,485-store, 32-state chain is the fastest growing retailer in the USA. K mart is its chief rival.

      But it also has a reputation for hurting small-town businesses that can’t match the lower prices the chain can offer due to volume buying.

      The Wal-Mart effect has been so huge it’s spawned the formation of consulting firms that specialize in advising small-town businesses on handling the arrival of a Wal-Mart.

      —Julie Morris, “Store shuts doors on Texas town,” USA Today, October 11, 1990

      https://wordspy.com/words/wal-mart-effect/

      • VARXBLE@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        22·
        3 days ago

        A season later after this, Hank and everyone else have become completely indifferent to shopping at the Megalow Mart, most likely due to local business being driven out or becoming complacent treat hogs due to the low prices.

        A show truly ahead of its time for noticing the obvious patterns of the time. This mirrors my shitty small southern US town’s experience of having Walmart come to town. A surprising amount of resistance (mostly from local business owners), then a complacency and even appreciation for the beast that devoured the local economy, because of the SAVINGS.