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Wal-Mart is America's premier example of free market economics

Wal-Mart is America's premier example of free market economics

* when Wal-Mart opens its supercenters -- variety plus grocery stores -- in a community, the average grocery prices in that community fall by 13 percent. Even the people who don't shop at Wal-Mart benefit from its presence. [http://americandreamcoalition.org/automobility/automobility.html]

* when Wal-Mart opens its supercenters—variety plus grocery stores—in a community, the average grocery prices in that community fall by 13 percent. Even the people who don't shop at Wal-Mart benefit from its presence. [http://americandreamcoalition.org/automobility/automobility.html]

Wal-Mart is often the subject of criticism for allegedly paying low [[wage]]s with insufficient [[fringe benefit|health benefits]] and allegedly forcing "Mom and Pop" stores out of business.  It was also criticized for supporting [[homosexuality]]<ref>[http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2006/08/21/4 "Wal-Mart launches gay-friendly initiative" August 21, 2006]</ref> and for not dispensing [[abortion]] inducing drugs at its pharmacies.  The company's defenders reply that Wal-Mart tries to uphold a family value system and is a well-known provider of decent employment and affordable merchandise across America and the rest of the world.  Wal-Mart's wages average significantly higher than minimum wage, which may explain why nearly 2 million people choose to work for Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart is often the subject of criticism for allegedly paying low [[wage]]s with insufficient [[fringe benefit|health benefits]] and allegedly forcing "Mom and Pop" stores out of business.  It was also criticized for supporting [[homosexuality]]<ref>[http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2006/08/21/4 "Wal-Mart launches gay-friendly initiative" August 21, 2006]</ref> and for not dispensing [[abortion]] inducing drugs at its pharmacies.  The company's defenders reply that Wal-Mart tries to uphold a family value system and is a well-known provider of decent employment and affordable merchandise across America and the rest of the world.  Wal-Mart's wages average significantly higher than minimum wage, which may explain why nearly 2 million people choose to work for Wal-Mart.

==Wal-Mart in the U.K.==

==Wal-Mart in the U.K.==

Wal-Mart entered the U.K. in 1999 following its purchase of the Asda supermarket chain, taking over around 300 stores which remain under the Asda brand name. Wal-Mart's performance, however, has failed to meet Wall Street's expectations, and its 16% share of British grocery spending has not changed over the last eight years, partly because of the company's inability to pursue its usual expansion strategy of oversaturating markets. In the United States Wal-Mart has driven its growth by building massive superstores that dwarf all of a town's existing businesses combined and that are spaced relatively close together across a region. This strategy has enabled Wal-Mart to overwhelm local economies and force out tens of thousands of small businesses through over-development.  

Wal-Mart entered the U.K. in 1999 following its purchase of the Asda supermarket chain, taking over around 300 stores which remain under the Asda brand name. Wal-Mart's performance, however, has failed to meet Wall Street's expectations, and its 16% share of British grocery spending has not changed over the last eight years, partly because of the company's inability to pursue its usual expansion strategy of oversaturating markets. In the United States Wal-Mart has driven its growth by building massive superstores that dwarf all of a town's existing businesses combined and that are spaced relatively close together across a region. This strategy has enabled Wal-Mart to overwhelm local economies and force out tens of thousands of small businesses through overdevelopment.  

[[Image:Asda.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The company's U.K. logo]]

[[Image:Asda.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The company's U.K. logo]]

Wal-Mart has had more difficulty employing this tactic in the U.K. due to the legislation known as "Planning Policy Statement 6" (''PPS6''), which requires local governments to keep retail development in town centers and to limit retail development on the outskirts unless there is a clear, well-defined need.<ref>''Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres'' [http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1020432884848.html Planning Portal]. Accessed 22 January 2008</ref> Wal-Mart has lobbied heavily for the removal of the "needs test".  

Wal-Mart has had more difficulty employing this tactic in the U.K. due to the legislation known as "Planning Policy Statement 6" (''PPS6''), which requires local governments to keep retail development in town centers and to limit retail development on the outskirts unless there is a clear, well-defined need.<ref>''Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres'' [http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1020432884848.html Planning Portal]. Accessed 22 January 2008</ref> Wal-Mart has lobbied heavily for the removal of the "needs test".  

Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated and its employees generally favor Republican candidates in terms of campaign contributions. In 2012, 53% of donations from the company (including employees) went to Republican candidates, vs. 47% to Democrats. 100% of major contributions from Wal-Mart Pharmacy associates went to Republican candidates in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000000367&cycle=2012|title=Wal-Mart Stores: Totals|accessdate=2012-12-05|work=Opensecrets.org|publisher=The Center for Responsive Politics}}</ref>

Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated and its employees generally favor Republican candidates in terms of campaign contributions. In 2012, 53% of donations from the company (including employees) went to Republican candidates, vs. 47% to Democrats. 100% of major contributions from Wal-Mart Pharmacy associates went to Republican candidates in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000000367&cycle=2012|title=Wal-Mart Stores: Totals|accessdate=2012-12-05|work=Opensecrets.org|publisher=The Center for Responsive Politics}}</ref>

==External Links==

==External links==

[[File:Walmart.jpg|200px|right]]

[[File:Walmart.jpg|200px|right]]

*[http://www.walmartstores.com Corporate website]

*[http://www.walmartstores.com Corporate website]