Some research that backs up what many of us who watched it happen already knew: Walmart decimated local economies en mass, and the tale that lower consumer prices justifies their behavior...
Some research that backs up what many of us who watched it happen already knew: Walmart decimated local economies en mass, and the tale that lower consumer prices justifies their behavior unsurprisingly turns out to be a lie.
In the 10 years after a Walmart Supercenter opened in a given community, the average household in that community experienced a 6 percent decline in yearly income—equivalent to about $5,000 a year in 2024 dollars—compared with households that didn’t have a Walmart open near them. Low-income, young, and less-educated workers suffered the largest losses.
I have watched it happen, but I always thought it was for a reason that the article and the studies didn’t mention. Walmart is siphoning money away from the communities it moves into. When I shop...
I have watched it happen, but I always thought it was for a reason that the article and the studies didn’t mention.
Walmart is siphoning money away from the communities it moves into.
When I shop local, a lot of that money goes back into the local economy. If I shop at Walmart it all immediately gets siphoned far, far away, and then Walmart blesses a few workers with a very small percentage. Since more people shop there than people who work there, most of the money spent at Walmart leaves the community.
What I always struggled with, especially as a teen working retail in a mom&pop department store, was that Walmart paid better than what I made at the local store and the local movie theater....
What I always struggled with, especially as a teen working retail in a mom&pop department store, was that Walmart paid better than what I made at the local store and the local movie theater. They're awful for the economy but I understand why people shop and work there. Like when a DG opens up and destroys the local grocery store but still pays more... Idk I know small businesses run on thin margins but if they're not able to pay a living wage, should they be open either?
Same some of the worst paying jobs Ive worked were small businesses. It seems every time I switch jobs, I go to a bigger company and I get paid more at the bigger company. What Ive noticed is that...
Same some of the worst paying jobs Ive worked were small businesses.
It seems every time I switch jobs, I go to a bigger company and I get paid more at the bigger company.
What Ive noticed is that such entities tend to have less, more highly paid, workers. So if you’re lucky enough to snag a job at Walmart after all the local shops close, that’s great, but Walmart has now left a lot of unemployed people in their wake.
Yeah and I think it's hard to quantify, especially at the time, how many jobs will ultimately be lost. But it was a real sticking point for me. I do, because of that, think that small business...
Yeah and I think it's hard to quantify, especially at the time, how many jobs will ultimately be lost. But it was a real sticking point for me.
I do, because of that, think that small business owners don't all deserve to run a small business. If you can't pay your people properly, don't run a business. (Walmart also does not pay their people properly, mind you)
Having also seen many small business hells, I've also seen success stories. One that comes to mind is a small grocer with lifetime staffers and a pension. I think a lot of small business woes...
Having also seen many small business hells, I've also seen success stories. One that comes to mind is a small grocer with lifetime staffers and a pension.
I think a lot of small business woes would be solved with eliminating a lot of worker-rights exemptions they get, like FMLA. Also providing grants to start cooperatives where the workers have a vote would help immensely.
There also used to exist a proper middle ground that did do better than both: The regional chain. Large enough to be have consistent wages with fluctuating sales, enough management to avoid the 'owner is a raging asshole' problem, but small enough that most of the money remained in the local economy.
Some research that backs up what many of us who watched it happen already knew: Walmart decimated local economies en mass, and the tale that lower consumer prices justifies their behavior unsurprisingly turns out to be a lie.
See also: Amazon
I have watched it happen, but I always thought it was for a reason that the article and the studies didn’t mention.
Walmart is siphoning money away from the communities it moves into.
When I shop local, a lot of that money goes back into the local economy. If I shop at Walmart it all immediately gets siphoned far, far away, and then Walmart blesses a few workers with a very small percentage. Since more people shop there than people who work there, most of the money spent at Walmart leaves the community.
What I always struggled with, especially as a teen working retail in a mom&pop department store, was that Walmart paid better than what I made at the local store and the local movie theater. They're awful for the economy but I understand why people shop and work there. Like when a DG opens up and destroys the local grocery store but still pays more... Idk I know small businesses run on thin margins but if they're not able to pay a living wage, should they be open either?
Same some of the worst paying jobs Ive worked were small businesses.
It seems every time I switch jobs, I go to a bigger company and I get paid more at the bigger company.
What Ive noticed is that such entities tend to have less, more highly paid, workers. So if you’re lucky enough to snag a job at Walmart after all the local shops close, that’s great, but Walmart has now left a lot of unemployed people in their wake.
Yeah and I think it's hard to quantify, especially at the time, how many jobs will ultimately be lost. But it was a real sticking point for me.
I do, because of that, think that small business owners don't all deserve to run a small business. If you can't pay your people properly, don't run a business. (Walmart also does not pay their people properly, mind you)
Having also seen many small business hells, I've also seen success stories. One that comes to mind is a small grocer with lifetime staffers and a pension.
I think a lot of small business woes would be solved with eliminating a lot of worker-rights exemptions they get, like FMLA. Also providing grants to start cooperatives where the workers have a vote would help immensely.
There also used to exist a proper middle ground that did do better than both: The regional chain. Large enough to be have consistent wages with fluctuating sales, enough management to avoid the 'owner is a raging asshole' problem, but small enough that most of the money remained in the local economy.
Agreed. However in the length of time you were discussing regional chains, Kroger bought them all.