The Smithian

March 14th, 2013

‘In 2011, the multinational chain announced its intent to open between 275 and 300 stores in federally designated food deserts…’

…stating, “We believe every single person should have access to an abundant selection of fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable price.” The superstore, however, pays poverty-level wages—a national average of $8.81 an hour—employs roughly one-third of its employees without benefits and exports the majority of its earnings to its Bentonville, Ark., headquarters, creating a robust case that the city council’s quick-fix answer may hurt food deserts more than it helps them. “We don’t think Walmart can solve the problem of low-wage people getting access to healthful food…”

more.

March 3rd, 2013

thesmithian

‘President Barack Obama plans to nominate Walmart Foundation head Sylvia Mathews Burwell to head the White House Office of Management and Budget…’

…on Monday, sources said on Sunday. Burwell is a veteran of Bill Clinton’s White House…

December 13th, 2012

thesmithian

Bloomberg Businessweek

November 26th, 2012

thesmithian

Zoom

…it’s a new thing that *any* Walmart employees are protesting, and these…underpaid workers do so at the risk of their jobs.

more.

June 14th, 2012

thesmithian

Zoom

Frito-Lay North America president Tom Greco recently cited a “bifurcation” of American snack eaters, a remark that the company’s chief marketing officer summarized as “the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer”…this is the first time the head of a huge consumer goods company has basically admitted that 1) the middle class is on its way to being kaput and that 2) marketing plans should address that economic reality.

more, from “Decide Now: Are You Neiman Marcus or Walmart?

Frito-Lay North America president Tom Greco recently cited a “bifurcation” of American snack eaters, a remark that the company’s chief marketing officer summarized as “the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer”…this is the first time the head of a huge consumer goods company has basically admitted that 1) the middle class is on its way to being kaput and that 2) marketing plans should address that economic reality.

more, from “Decide Now: Are You Neiman Marcus or Walmart?