tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post114347337780292623..comments2023-05-14T07:51:18.017-05:00Comments on The Suburban Christian: The Wal-Mart Effect, by Charles FishmanAl Hsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04407264726681695790noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-1148479227803245752006-05-24T09:00:00.000-05:002006-05-24T09:00:00.000-05:00I love Target, partly because it's based in Minnes...I love Target, partly because it's based in Minnesota and I grew up in Minnesota, so I think of it as a local hometown company. It's true that Target has some of the same issues, but from what I've heard, it seems like they treat their workers better and pay better wages and benefits. Targets also tend to be better staffed and provide better customer service, partly because they're not as ruthless about keeping costs down and don't understaff their stores. Not sure about their overseas suppliers and manufacturers - it seems like no matter where we buy stuff, companies use unjust factory conditions. Though I've heard that places like the Gap and Old Navy actually have pretty good worker protections for their clothing factory workers.<BR/><BR/>I've also heard other folks say that Costco is a good alternative to Wal-Mart, but I've never shopped at a Costco and don't know much about it. So, anyway, Target may not be perfect, but it's my preferred alternative to Wal-Mart, and I go there a lot.Al Hsuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04407264726681695790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-1148444792206208232006-05-23T23:26:00.000-05:002006-05-23T23:26:00.000-05:00Along the same lines as what Scott asked, have you...Along the same lines as what Scott asked, have you found much information about other companies, esp Target? I've always wondered how their practices compared.Ashleighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05147871048672359541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24215087.post-1144676607928230462006-04-10T08:43:00.000-05:002006-04-10T08:43:00.000-05:00Scott - It's not that other companies don't also h...Scott - It's not that other companies don't also have detrimental effects on workers, companies or the environment, but Wal-Mart in particular is such an 800-pound gorilla that its power and influence is absolutely unparalleled in the economy. Fishman uses an analogy of a little kid who jumps on your back and wants a ride. It's cute and fun when he's four, but if he does that when he's a twenty-four-year-old 300-pound linebacker, there are going to be different effects. So Wal-Mart's laudable principles and vision (low prices for consumers, cost-efficiency, etc.) served them well when they were a smaller company, but now that they have grown so huge, the scale of those same business practices has gigantic repercussions and unintended consequences on everybody, from workers and suppliers to end customers.Al Hsuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04407264726681695790noreply@blogger.com