Wal-Mart (Synthesis Ex)

Wal-Mart, the biggest success in the business in the USA, is the top seller of groceries, according to USA TODAY (2003). There is already a Wal-Mart in Carbondale and there is a new project to build another one in Murphysboro area. the question is, is it good or not to build another Wal-Mart in a small town?

First, Wal-Mart is very useful and popular, as said Locke (2004) we can find everything we need with a cheap price, but with the same quality of service that we can find in other big shop. This is good for a family who has a poor income. Wal-Mart is open almost 24 hours on 24 hours and with the internet access, so we have access when we need. The shop also give lot of work for people who wanted it. According to Hoening (2004, par.16), "In 2005, Wal-Mart created 125,000 U.S jobs, and is continuously adding thousands each month". So another Wal-Mart will increase jobs for people who need it, and more access to buy everything we need with two shops.

Second, according to Jacobs (2005), people protest against a new Wal-Mart because they are afraid that this can destroy small businesses and also the quality of life for some citizens, much noise with the delivery. Also Wal-Mart offers a lot of jobs, but not enough insurance; only 48% of their employees are covered, according to UFCWIU (2005). The job which is given by Wal-Mart doesn't give enough income for people who work for them. The annual wages is less than the poverty line for a family of three.

To conclude, Wal-Mart has a lot of advantages for people's lives and building another Wal-Mart can increase this quality. They offer lot of work that is good for people who are looking for work. But two Wal-Marts can destroy small businesses, and also the quality of life for some citizens. All these jobs that they offer have not enough income and they can't cover all the people who work for them. In my opinion, to build another Wal-Mart can have some advantages but for me, there are more disadvantages than advantges. Carbondale is not a big town, so one shop like this is enough.

References:

Hoenig, J. (2004, February). Welcome Wal-Mart. Capitalism Magazine. Retrieved on November 29, 2007, from
http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4561

Jacobs, N. (2005, April). Local opposition to future Wal-Mart Supercenter in Murphysboro. Daily Egyptian. Retrieved on November 29, 2007, from
http://newshound.de.siu.edu/spring05/stories/storyReader$858

Locke, E. (2004, February). Three Cheers for Wal-Mart. Capitalism Magazine. Retrieved on November 29, 2007, from http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=3534

USA Today (2004, January). Wal-Mart's influence grows. Retrieved on November 29, 2007, from
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2003-01-28-walmartnation_x.htm