The Benefit to Society

System of Sustainability

Wal-Mart has long been committed to sustainability and preserving a healthy environment. They have in place a multi-step process for protecting the earth and its natural resources. [1] Here is where you will find how Wal-Mart is doing everything they can from reducing energy with the lighting they use to preserving an acre of land for every acre they develope. Here they state their sustainability fact sheet [2]. They simply state that their goals are to be supplied 100% by renewable energy, for existing stores to be 25% more efficient in 7 years and for new stores to be 30% more efficient in 4 years, have a 25% reduction in solid waste in 3 years, have all private brand packaging improved in 2 years, to sell products that sustain our resources and environment, design and support Green Company Program in China. To further examine just one of the initiatives Wal-Mart is currently taking to be more energy efficient [3].

Economic Benefits

The benefits to the economy is a list that includes the jobs that they create, the tax revenue they produce, the contributions to local charities, and of course the money that they save working families. Wal-Mart is currently running a program to reduce the costs of generic perscriptions for families with low budgets [4]. By saving the working family money on the products they need to purchase, Wal-Mart increases disposable income. With more money to spend, families will purchase more, thus increasing aggregate demand in the economy. Over the last decade "American employment has gone up by almost 20 million. It went up 18 million from 1993 to 2002." There is no doubt that Wal-Mart has contributed to this increase. On top of the 1.2 million workers that Wal-Mart has, they create numerous other jobs with the products they sell and the buildings they opperate in. Wal-Mart is one of the largest food retailers in the United States and "over 90 percent (of the food they sell), is made or grown in the United States. It's about $40 billion." This gives American farmers work, and by building thousands of stores, Wal-Mart keeps construction workers employed. The list goes on and on proving that because they choose to sell mainly American made products in their stores, Wal-Mart saves many from unemployment. Check out how Wal-Mart has affected your community [5].

Diversity in the Workplace

Wal-Mart takes pride in being a leading employer of minorities and women [6]. They have been noticed on a national level for their commitment to diversity and continue to win awards, here is a list of recent awards [7]. Their constant commitment to diversity has made Wal-Mart not only an "Employer of Choice" but also a "Retailer of Choice". Look at their 2005 Diversity Report to see the foundations of Wal-Mart's diversity goals and how they acheived them [8].

Employee Benefits

Wal-Mart offers not only competitive wages for their employees, they also offer affordable health and dental coverage along with 401k plans [9]. Aside from the discounts they receive from already low Wal-Mart prices, employees also enjoy free membership to Sam's Club, paid vacations for eligible workers, and a financial education benefit which works to educate employees on budgeting, managing credit, credit reports, and buying a home. To read about Wal-Mart's commitment to offer "A,A,S" health care [10]. On August 7th Wal-Mart announced that it had "raised the starting rate in 1,200 Wal-Mart stores and SAM'S CLUBS throughout the country" [11].

Charitable Donations

By donating over $245 million in 2005 alone, Wal-Mart is proud to call itself the leading corporate cash donor in America. They contribute more than $170 million to communities and local non-profit organizations each year. That's $18,000 an hour, or $5 a second. For more information about Wal-Mart's charitable donations, take a look at their fact sheet [12]. For a more specific story about "America's Second Harvest" [13].

Sources

www.walmart.com

www.walmartfacts.com

www.walmartstores.com