3 ms·

I don’t see how this makes sense. Walmart is consistently the cheapest grocery store around (save for Aldi but they’re not that reliable). The alternatives are

I don’t see how this makes sense. Walmart is consistently the cheapest grocery store around (save for Aldi but they’re not that reliable). The alternatives are mostly Kroger or Albertsons owned and their prices are just ridiculous these days. The smaller grocery chains end up having to charge a premium to stay open. I hate Walmart but when the products are the same I’m going with whoever has the lowest price. If they were around people would be spending more, period. If anything I’d blame the dollar stores for creating food deserts in already poor areas.

burkaman 2y ago
It potentially makes sense because Walmart employees are also part of the community, and Walmart doesn't pay very much. It also won't employ as many people as all the stores it displaces did. Additionally, Walmart has extremely well-established multinational supply chains, and probably won't need to source much of its stock from the local community. If they do need to buy anything locally, they can pay absolutely rock-bottom prices once they've pushed out competitors and they are the only buyer. If you shop at Walmart but otherwise have no other exposure to the retail sector, then as an individual you are probably financially better off. But looking at a community as a whole, the negative effects on retail employees and local suppliers apparently outweigh these individual gains.
- dawnerd 2y ago
  Walmarts pays the same min wage as every other grocery store so that’s not it. And they employ a heck of a lot more. Vons maybe has three people at any time. WM also carries local produce and products. I’m sure there’s some cherry picked examples out there but the vast majority of cities are probably benefiting from a large anchor store.
  - peutetre 2y ago
    Many Walmart employees are not paid a livable wage. Walmart is a major beneficiary of corporate welfare: https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/04/15/report-walmart-workers-cost-taxpayers-6-2-billion-in-public-assistance/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/04/15/report-... https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/19/walmart-and-mcdonalds-among-top-employers-of-medicaid-and-food-stamp-beneficiaries.html https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/19/walmart-and-mcdonalds-among-... https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/a-downward-push-the-impact-of-wal-mart-stores-on-retail-wages-and-benefits/ https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/a-downward-push-the-impact-... American tax payers are paying billions to make up the difference and subsidize Walmart's substandard wages. Walmart privatizes its profits and socializes its costs.
Marsymars 2y ago
> Walmart is consistently the cheapest grocery store around One upside of Walmart in my area is that they have their cheap pricing up front. Every other grocery chain here has a gamified points program that involves activating "offers" through their phone app and then hoarding points until you're able to redeem during a bonus redemption event that coincides with a sale on a product that you actually need.

burkaman 2y ago

It potentially makes sense because Walmart employees are also part of the community, and Walmart doesn't pay very much. It also won't employ as many people as all the stores it displaces did. Additionally, Walmart has extremely well-established multinational supply chains, and probably won't need to source much of its stock from the local community. If they do need to buy anything locally, they can pay absolutely rock-bottom prices once they've pushed out competitors and they are the only buyer. If you shop at Walmart but otherwise have no other exposure to the retail sector, then as an individual you are probably financially better off. But looking at a community as a whole, the negative effects on retail employees and local suppliers apparently outweigh these individual gains.

dawnerd 2y ago
Walmarts pays the same min wage as every other grocery store so that’s not it. And they employ a heck of a lot more. Vons maybe has three people at any time. WM also carries local produce and products. I’m sure there’s some cherry picked examples out there but the vast majority of cities are probably benefiting from a large anchor store.
- peutetre 2y ago
  Many Walmart employees are not paid a livable wage. Walmart is a major beneficiary of corporate welfare: https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/04/15/report-walmart-workers-cost-taxpayers-6-2-billion-in-public-assistance/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/04/15/report-... https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/19/walmart-and-mcdonalds-among-top-employers-of-medicaid-and-food-stamp-beneficiaries.html https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/19/walmart-and-mcdonalds-among-... https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/a-downward-push-the-impact-of-wal-mart-stores-on-retail-wages-and-benefits/ https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/a-downward-push-the-impact-... American tax payers are paying billions to make up the difference and subsidize Walmart's substandard wages. Walmart privatizes its profits and socializes its costs.

Marsymars 2y ago

> Walmart is consistently the cheapest grocery store around One upside of Walmart in my area is that they have their cheap pricing up front. Every other grocery chain here has a gamified points program that involves activating "offers" through their phone app and then hoarding points until you're able to redeem during a bonus redemption event that coincides with a sale on a product that you actually need.