I have read this same stuff several times and at several different places. Wal-Mart has worked its was up just as any other company hopes to do. The only thing different is that they have done better than most. I remember when there was only 3 or 4 Wal-Marts open. They started out selling anything they could get cheap. I mean real cheap, It was from Taiwan. At that time Taiwan, meant the bottom of the barrel. Over the years Wal-Mart has added one name brand after another to their stores. Now most WM's have just as many name brands as any other store. And yes they also have a large number of their own products.
Some of the grocery items are stocked by outside vendors. These items include name brand bread, name brand ice cream, name brand sodas; some of the specialty items like some spices and a few others. But by far and large the vast majority of all the products are stocked by Wal-Mart employees. I would guess that the employees stock in excess of 95% of the products sold. You may see more vendors at your local store during the day, but go in during the night and you will see how puts up the most product.
Wal-Mart does have the lowest prices ALWAYS. I can say this because it is their policy to meet any local price on the same product. If their price is higher, just tell them and they will give you the better price.
Unions, Wal-Mart doesn’t want them and I can’t see why any consumer would. At one time they were needed, now they are like a lead weight around the neck of American business. Look at GM. Why is it nearly impossible for them to build any new plants? Ask your local Wal-Mart associates if they want a union in their store. If a company is managed correctly, the employees don’t need a Union.
Did they put some out of business in my town? Yes, they did. When they came to town, some folded and some learned to adapt to the different business climate. Now the ones that folded have been replaced with stronger more responsive stores. You can’t tell that any closed by looking at my town now. The same goes for several other small towns around here.
What have they done that the local Mom and Pop store wouldn't do, if they had the chance to?????