Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price is a critical investigation into the business practices of one of the world’s largest corporations, Walmart. Directed by Robert Greenwald, it presents a series of interviews with former employees, small business owners, and community members, highlighting the negative impacts of Walmart’s operations on individuals and local economies. Through these personal stories, it sheds light on issues such as low wages, poor working conditions, and anti-union activities that characterize Walmart’s business model.

The film reveals how Walmart’s employment practices contribute to a cycle of poverty for its workers. Employees are often paid wages that are insufficient to cover basic living expenses, leading many to rely on government assistance programs like Medicaid. This practice not only burdens taxpayers but also underscores the corporation’s reluctance to provide adequate benefits to its workforce. In addition, former managers recount instances of wage theft, where employees were forced to work off the clock or had their hours altered to avoid overtime pay.

Internationally, the documentary highlights even more severe labor conditions. Workers in countries like China and Bangladesh are shown enduring long hours for meager pay. These exploitative practices are contrasted with the high prices at which these goods are sold in Walmart stores, emphasizing the disparity between production costs and retail pricing.

Environmental concerns are also addressed, with the film documenting Walmart’s inadequate environmental policies and its use of undocumented workers for store maintenance. Furthermore, it discusses the corporation’s failure to ensure safety in its parking lots, where incidents of crime have been reported.

The impact of Walmart on local businesses is another significant focus. The documentary illustrates how small businesses struggle to compete with Walmart’s low prices and extensive product range. Many family-owned stores have been forced to close after Walmart establishments opened nearby, often aided by substantial subsidies from local governments eager for economic growth.

In response to these challenges, some communities have successfully resisted Walmart’s expansion efforts. The film concludes by showcasing several towns that have managed to keep Walmart out, highlighting grassroots activism as a powerful tool against corporate encroachment.