Wal-Mart has grown to become one of the largest and most successful retail chains in America by providing everyday goods to working families for accessible prices. But how exactly is Wal-Mart able to offer such competitive rates, and what impact has its success had on its workers? To gain insight into these questions, we recommend that viewers watch the documentary “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price.”
The documentary examines the various factors that contribute to Wal-Mart’s low pricing. These include their reliance upon overseas suppliers, which are often exploitative, as well as their monopolization of markets in certain areas. It also looks at how they have driven down wages through flattening labor hierarchies, promoting a largely nonunion workforce, and utilizing part-time employment with limited benefits.
The film also highlights the human cost of Wal-Mart’s success. It looks at how employees have been put under increasing pressure from management; how unions have struggled (and often failed) to establish a foothold; and how their business model ultimately affects both their workers and local communities.
Altogether, this documentary provides a comprehensive picture of the company’s influence on American society. Watching it can be an eye-opening experience for anyone curious about Wal-Mart’s role in our economy, as well as what its continued dominance might mean for us in the future. So if you want to learn more about this iconic retailer—and understand why it has become so deeply embedded in our culture—be sure to check out “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price.”
