Summary

Two studies reveal that Walmart’s entry into communities lowers household incomes by 6% over 10 years and increases poverty by 8%, even when accounting for cost savings.

Its practices, such as undercutting competitors, suppressing wages, and squeezing suppliers, harm local economies by reducing employment and forcing smaller businesses to close.

Walmart’s “monopsony power” enables it to pay lower wages and dominate suppliers, compounding these effects.

The findings challenge the idea that low prices alone benefit communities, emphasizing long-term economic harm.

——

Non-paywall link

  • @glimse
    link
    1301 day ago

    Hard to start a business when your competitor is Walmart.

    Hard to make a living when the main employer is Walmart.

    Hard to move when you don’t have any money.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      321 day ago

      Hard to start a business when your competitor is Walmart.

      It’s also hard to maintain an existing business when your competitor is WalMart.

      They can afford to undercut you until you go out of business, then they can charge whatever the market will bear.

      • @Maggoty
        link
        7
        edit-2
        19 hours ago

        Which is a lot on inelastic goods like food.

        Edit- to use the correct term

        • @grue
          link
          English
          420 hours ago

          *inelastic

          • @Maggoty
            link
            219 hours ago

            I always fuck that up. Every time.

            • @girthero
              link
              117 hours ago

              t⁸í::: spoiler Title

              :::~~~~