In January 2003, for various political and economic reasons, this blogger decided to boycott shopping at Wal-Mart. Five years later, in February 2008, I walked back into a store in Beijing.
I believed corporations actually respond to the purchasing power of consumers. For example, if Americans demand more products "Made in the USA", eventually, retailers will respond by stocking more locally manufactured items. It's really not that complicated. It's simple give the people what they want economics.
CNN Money
Wal-Mart returns to 'Buy American' roots. Really?
May 12, 2011
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Another case in point is Wal-Mart's recent business decision to install solar panels on 130 of its California stores by 2013:
PC Magazine
Walmart Goes Solar In California
September 23, 2011
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Corporation Update: Shortly after this blogger posted the above comments, Wal-Mart announced it would cut health care benefits for some part-time workers. Read More...
*Derivative photograph of marketing montage, Wal-Mart Visitor's Center, Bentonville, Arkansas (May 2010).
*Wal-Mart Store Entrance, Beijing, PRC (February 2008)