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]. Wal-Mart also allows you to check their progress in your own state [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. Check out how Wal-Mart has affected your community [4]. This money that is saved by purchasing lower priced products can be used to demand more and raise aggregate demand in the economy as a whole. Also with the efficiency of Wal-Mart they actually can shift long run aggregate supply to the right and lower the overall price level in the economy. With Wal-Mart employing so many workers, they in fact help lower the unemployment rate in the economy. By bringing a new Wal-Mart into a community new jobs will open up for currently unemployed or underemployed workers.

Diversity in the Workplace

Wal-Mart takes pride in being a leading employer of minorities and women [5]. 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 [6].

Employee Benefits

Wal-Mart offers not only competitive wages for their employees, they also offer affordable health and dental coverage along with 401k plans [7].

Charitable Donations

By donating over $245 million in 2005 alone, Wal-Mart is proud to call itself the leading corporate cash donor in America. You can see how much Wal-Mart has donated in your state [8].