A good deal of manufacturing went to China from the U.S. due to Walmart's practices. That's really not good for the U.S. economy.
In a vacuum, no, but how can you be sure that the aggregate value of cheaper retail goods for Walmart's shoppers wasn't better for the U.S. economy?
And it's not as if U.S. manufacturing output has shrunk. It's still the greatest in the world, though obviously we're not making as many consumer goods as 20 or 30 years ago.
Many smaller or medium sized players would probably be a healthier thing for the U.S. economy.
There are at least half a dozen smaller or medium size competitors for Walmart shoppers' dollars. Take a look at the performance of Costco vs. Walmart, for example. The former has competed exceedingly well by playing the game very differently in some respects, while also being smart and efficient in a way that much of the pre-Walmart retail landscape wasn't.
In a vacuum, no, but how can you be sure that the aggregate value of cheaper retail goods for Walmart's shoppers wasn't better for the U.S. economy?
And it's not as if U.S. manufacturing output has shrunk. It's still the greatest in the world, though obviously we're not making as many consumer goods as 20 or 30 years ago.
Many smaller or medium sized players would probably be a healthier thing for the U.S. economy.
There are at least half a dozen smaller or medium size competitors for Walmart shoppers' dollars. Take a look at the performance of Costco vs. Walmart, for example. The former has competed exceedingly well by playing the game very differently in some respects, while also being smart and efficient in a way that much of the pre-Walmart retail landscape wasn't.