In many places when a new Walmart store opens up, they do aggressive cost cutting to drive all local stores out of business after which they are free to hike the prices. Economically this might be alright, but there is something very wrong socially, in this model. Just by being a big player you are able to squeeze out the ones with no so much of money.
We should be very careful of large US corporates and retailers. Look at what is happening with Coke. Entire villages in India (Mehdiganj etc) have been depleted of groundwater reserves as the nearby coke plant has dried up all water.
RE:Evils of Walmart
by san man on Oct 01, 2007 04:57 AM Permalink
Those stories against Coke are just exaggerations meant to create dramas. Furthermore, how come small towns in the developed world have never suffered similar things? It's because they are developed. To be undeveloped is to be vulnerable. But if you want development and the safety that comes with it, then you have to do your part to modernize. The world isn't just going to put you on a pedestal and give you things just because you think you deserve it. You have to embrace development and the culture of working harder and making things better. Your suspicion against development is what's kept Indians poor and suffering for the past 60 years.
RE:Evils of Walmart
by manik on Oct 01, 2007 12:09 PM Permalink
Wallmart has closed down in germany with a reported loss of 1 billions USD. It was beaten small supermarkets like HALDI (which is there in every alternative streets!)
