[[Image:Walmart.jpg|thumb|The Wal-Mart logo and slogan]]
[[Image:Walmart.jpg|thumb|The Wal-Mart logo and slogan]]
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'''Wal-Mart''' is America's largest employer, running a chain of department stores.
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'''Wal-Mart''' is America's largest employer, running a chain of department stores. The company was founded by [[Sam Walton]] in Arkansas in 1962, and its current CEO is Lee Scott.
Wal-Mart is often the subject of criticism for paying low [[wage]]s without [[fringe benefit|health benefits]] and allegedly forcing "Mom and Pop" stores out of business. The company's defenders reply that Wal-Mart is a well-known provider of decent employment and cheap merchandise across America and the rest of the world. Wal-Mart's wages average significantly higher than minimum wage. It has also been criticized for selling imports of products manufactured in [[China]]. [[China]].<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/secrets/wmchina.html Is Wal-Mart good for America?]</ref>
Wal-Mart is often the subject of criticism for paying low [[wage]]s without [[fringe benefit|health benefits]] and allegedly forcing "Mom and Pop" stores out of business. The company's defenders reply that Wal-Mart is a well-known provider of decent employment and cheap merchandise across America and the rest of the world. Wal-Mart's wages average significantly higher than minimum wage. It has also been criticized for selling imports of products manufactured in [[China]]. [[China]].<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/secrets/wmchina.html Is Wal-Mart good for America?]</ref>