The PBS special "Is Wal-Mart Good for America?" was quite an eye opener for me. But now that it has become a giant, its operations are scrutinized, and many people are wondering if it is acting in a socially responsible way. Earlier in its infancy, Wal-Mart's behavior might have only seemed a little odd. It is the largest company in the world and the largest employer in the United States and Mexico (Dicker 2-3). Wal-Mart has definitely had its share of growing pains. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people, services 138 million customers, and claims annual sales of $312.4 billion (Walmartfacts). Through massive growth, the company now boasts 6,200 facilities around the globe, 3500 of which are in the United States as of 2005. The brainchild of founder Sam Walton, Wal-Mart began operations in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962. Why would the addition of the new store cause such a commotion? Is there something wrong with Lodi, the Wal-Mart Corporation, or was it just a bad mix? Wal-Mart is planning to build a new 219,000 square foot facility (Bonnet, Group). Probably the most controversial issue and the one most likely to raise a debate, is the attempt to build a super Wal-Mart in Lodi. Their "cause" is usually slowing the pace of housing development or the "Greenbelt" issue, which would help protect Lodi from the unrestricted growth and encroachment of the city of Stockton. So much so, that people often organize into political action committees when their way of life seems threatened. Many families have deep roots there, often going back several generations. Things don't change very fast in Lodi, as slow growth is valued and even mandated in certain situations. Lodi, California, is a relatively small community of about 50,000 residents. Yet on the other hand, Lodi already had a Wal-Mart, so why did it now need a 219,000 square foot version? I knew that the company offered some of the most competitive prices around, but I wasn't quite sure how they were able to do it. On one hand, it seemed like much ado about nothing. I overheard much discussion on the subject around town, and there had even been petitioners in front of local businesses. I had read various opinions in the "Letter to the Editor" section of the local Lodi News-Sentinel newspaper. I began this journey interested in why the small community of Lodi, California, would be so polarized by the planned construction of a super Wal-Mart.
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