March 28, 2005
Non-Boycott Wal*Mart
from - smijer
I've bitched more than once about the construction of a new Wal*Mart here in Tiftonia. It's not just their anti-business trade practices, their anti-market predatory "loss leader" pricing policies, and their poor labor practices. It's also the destruction of an idyllic, tightly knit community in favor of strip malls, sodium lights, and twenty four hour rush hour traffic. And, it's the fact that we are all subsidizing their bottom line with our tax dollars. That really burns me.
In the comments at the above linked Kos diary, a lot of people talk about the desirability and the futility of a Wal*Mart boycott. Desirable for all the obvious reasons. Futile because they will never miss the change of a few disgruntled shoppers.
Here's what I will do: a non-boycott boycott. For every good or service that can be purchased from Wal*Mart, I resolve to find an affordable, traditional alternative. If we do this en masse, we may not put a dent in Wal*Mart, but we may help our local business people survive the competition, and we may be able to keep our local economies healthy. Even if I have to put my money in a national chain, I can put it in Target or (even better, if they ever get here) Costco, where the workers bring home something closer to a living wage, and those few extra pennies of wages will stay in Chattanooga instead of winging their way to Bentonville, Arkansas. Eventually, if the non-boycott movement becomes large enough, traditional wholesale suppliers (who can no longer find a market for their product because Wal*Mart will not buy from them) may find a healthy enough retail market that they can survive without selling to Wal*Mart, keeping more economies strong.
Call it the fair-trade non-boycott. Make up cards and let your local businesses know what you are doing. The managers, owners, and employees may be so grateful that they join the movement. It's worth a try.
::Posted by smijer at March 28, 2005 08:01 AM
I'm glad to see someone joining Sally & me in this mindset. It's a personal choice we've made, and though we could probably do *better* at finding true traditional merchants and thus spend less at fellow-big-box Target, the one thing we just don't do is shop at Wal-Mart. Neither do we have a Sam's card, for which we are chided repeatedly by loved ones. Costco may indeed help in that aspect, but again, I try to make local merchants (or independents online for goods not found locally) *first* priority. My trouble is with groceries. Greenlife and Fresh Market are super, but their premium prices are prohibitive. Bi-Lo was owned by a Dutch multinational that bought Red Food, and I've learned that it is changing hands again (and it may have at least one other time).
Taking it further: even when you buy something from a local merchant, is it a Kraft product? Procter & Gamble? People's Republic of China? Thought-provoking stuff, at least..
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Posted by joe on March 28, 2005 08:25 AM Link to comment |
Ditto, Joe & smijer. But look at the Wal-Mart "two for one tactic" in Maryland. See Downsized Twin Boxes.
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Posted by Daily Bailout on March 28, 2005 05:04 PM Link to comment |
Ditto, smijer, joe and bailout! I don't mind paying a premium for fair trade products or to support local businesses -- I consider it another contribution to the causes I support -- but since I am living on a budget, I'm have to do a combination of Greenlife and BiLo. I also try to avoid products from the evil conglomerates like P&G, Monsanto and the rest. It helps that I try to stick to a whole-foods diet, avoiding the processed, sugared, and chemically-enhanced foods that are pushed by the big bad guys...
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Posted by alice on March 28, 2005 10:03 PM Link to comment |
I am amazed that people want healthy, thriving downtown areas however they expect to purchase every item at rock bottom prices. Studies have shown that spending with local merchants means more money stays local for taxes and reinvestment in the community.
We attempt to spend as much money with local merchants. We rarely ever eat at "chain restaurants" opting for locals with their commitment to the community.
Most of our groceries are purchased at a natural health market, or a Michigan based grocery. As for Sam's and WalMart, frankly I really don't need most of the crap they sell.
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Posted by Paul T on March 29, 2005 06:14 AM Link to comment |
