Wal-Mart Watch In Depth

Past Issues of Wal-Mart Watch In Depth

Danger for Sale

Whether it is E. Coli in the meat, melamine in the dog food, or lead paint on the children’s toys – far too many dangerous products have turned up on Wal-Mart’s shelves, and far too little effort has been given by Wal-Mart to ensure the safety and well-being of its customers.

As the largest retailer in the world, Wal-Mart could use its clout to push manufacturers into raising the safety standards of their products. Instead, Wal-Mart continues to demand low prices at any cost and any standard from manufacturers, putting consumers at risk.

Click here to download Issue 4 of Wal-Mart Watch In Depth: Danger for Sale >>

Eat At Your Own Risk
What lies behind the smiley face in Wal-Mart's grocery aisle? Wal-Mart markets itself as an all-American, family-friendly grocer, but the truth behind the marketing is very different. Imported from countries with scant safety regulations, frequently-recalled and ineffectively regulated, the food for sale at Wal-Mart stores poses a threat to consumers everywhere. From the introduction:

What is Wal-Mart’s responsibility for the safety of the food it sells? From the company’s opposition to federal legislation and inspections designed to protect us, to its significant pressure on its suppliers to shift production to countries with lower safety standards and lax enforcement, it is obvious that Wal-Mart thinks it begins and ends with the manufacturers, no questions asked.

Click here to download Issue 3 of Wal-Mart Watch In Depth: Eat At Your Own Risk  >>

Sustaining Wal-Mart
The March/April issue of Wal-Mart Watch In Depth examines Wal-Mart's sustainability: not only their environmental efforts, but their business model as a whole. Articles examine Wal-Mart's land use strategies, exhaustive labor practices and ways the company can improve its prospects. From this issue's Letter from the Executive Director:

Over the past year, Wal-Mart has worked overtime to develop environmental efficiency initiatives. Some progress has been made on this front, and for that we commend the company. But there's more to being a sustainable company than new lightbulbs. This issue of In Depth tackles a question at the very heart of any business's long-term viability: Is Wal-Mart a sustainable company?

Click here to download Issue 2 of Wal-Mart Watch In Depth >>

Gender Discrimination At Wal-Mart
The inaugural issue of Wal-Mart Watch’s issue paper, In Depth, focuses on gender discrimination at Wal-Mart and the massive class action lawsuit female employees are waging against the company. From the cover story:

On February 6, 2007, The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, ruled that Wal-Mart must face a class action lawsuit of 1.6 million female workers who are alleging that they were discriminated against in pay and promotions.

An overview of gender discrimination at Wal-Mart, an interview with one of the lead plaintiffs in the landmark case Dukes v. Wal-Mart, news reports and facts about discrimination at Wal-Mart are just some of the things included in this first issue.

Click here to download Issue 1 of Wal-Mart Watch In Depth >>