Walmart: Myth vs Reality

1. Walmart: Myth vs Reality Mike Peters Matt Clifford Lindsay Clark Stephanie Fox Nick Ingram Sandy Conway Source: www.anti-walmart.com & www.hel-mart.com

2. Myth:Wal-Mart creates "hundreds" of new jobs for communities. • Fact: Studies show that for every two jobs created by a Wal-Mart store, the community loses three. Jobs that are retained by a community are merely shifted from local businesses to the giant retailer. Any job gains at big-box stores causes loss of jobs due to reduced business at competing retailers. These so-called new jobs "provide significantly lower wages then jobs in many industries, and are often only part-time positions, seasonal opportunities, or subject to extensive turnover." The Real Story is that when Wal-Mart moves into the neighborhood, it devours local businesses and lowers community living standards.

3. Myth:Wal-Mart has "always low prices, always." • Fact: The local newspaper in Carroll County, Arkansas conducted a test of Wal-Mart's low price claim. Surveying a list of 19 common household items at six Wal-Mart stores over a one month period, the newspaper staff found that Wal-Mart was cheapest on only two of the items . The Real Story is the high cost of Wal-Mart's prices: lower wages, more imports, lost U.S. jobs, lower community living standards.

4. Myth: Wal-Mart's workers receive good health benefits. • Fact: Wal-Mart's Health Coverage Leaves Most Workers Uncovered. Wal-Mart workers pay insurance premiums that cover close to half of Wal-Mart's health plan expenses. The Real Story is that Wal-Mart freely acknowledges shifting its health care costs to taxpayers and responsible employers. Wal-Mart is the biggest beneficiary of its health plan because the company shifts $1 billion in health care costs to the government and responsible employers.

5. Myth: Wal-Mart "Buys American" and Wal-Mart "Brings it Home to the USA." • Two 1998 studies that surveyed clothing on Wal-Mart store racks and shelves found 80% and sometimes more than 90% of the apparel items were produced overseas, many in countries where sweatshops and child labor are prevalent. For all its public nationalism, Wal-mart is reinvesting its all-American dollars overseas."