Text case #1
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart is the largest private employer in the United States. By 2005 it operated over
5,582 stores in 16 countries and employed 1.3 million associates in US. Approximately 100
million customers shopped at Wal-Mart stores. Nonetheless, in the past several years Wal-Mart
has been experiencing a decrease in its stock price. The major reason of Wal-Mart’s stock price
decrease is the increasing nonmarket pressure the company is faced with and falling reputa-on.
The magnitude of Wal-Mart’s sales and its penetra-on into grocery side of business has
a.racted increasing public a.en-on. Wal-Mart is cri-cized about many issues, such as:
providing low wages and health benefit for its employees, putting small firm out of business,
pollu-ng the environment, viola-ng worker’s rights, etc.
Labor unions were pressured by other retailers to lower new workers wages and
