Walmart is no stranger to controversy. What began as a small, local grocery store founded by Sam Walton in 1962 has now become one of the largest international retailers. Along the way, the company seemingly forgot its humble beginnings and has been noted in recent years for corporate greed. Here are 20 reasons to avoid the giant, namely the grocery department.
1. Walmart’s Brand isn’t a Great Value Anymore
Walmart’s brand Great Value has been a life-saver for countless families, unable to pay for brand-name products. However, many have noted that the brand has become more expensive since the pandemic, a common theme among retailers. For instance, many reports show that company profits have been at an all-time high meanwhile higher prices have been blamed on inflation. leaving people to wonder if the corporation has become too greedy.
2. Eggs Aren’t Cage-Free
Walmart has faced backlash after it was discovered that less than 30% of its “cage-free” eggs are that. Moreover, the retailer has been accused of incorrectly labeling their eggs, claiming they’re organic.
3. Walmart May Secretly Overcharge
Purportedly, Walmart has faced backlash from the public for over-charging for weighted produce. For instance, Walmart recently settled a 2022 lawsuit claiming the company had been overcharging for weighted and clearance items.
4. Walmart is Wasteful
While Walmart claims to donate its leftover food, many employees have disclosed they’ve witnessed Walmart’s secret waste practices firsthand.
5. The Company has a Fake Brewery
Visiting local breweries is a popular way to unwind with friends after a long day and Walmart capitalized on that, bringing America’s favorite beers straight to their homes. However, customers began questioning the legitimacy of Trouble Brewing, advertised as being brewed in Rochester, New York in 2017.
6. Seafood isn’t Sustainable
A customer sued Walmart last year for falsely claiming that certain Great Value packaged seafood was MSC-certified.
Read More: 8 Simple and Cheap Ways To Deal With Cockroaches in Your Home
7. Multiple Water Scandals
Walmart has been accused of several unfortunate practices regarding the Great Value bottled water. For example, in 2022, the company purportedly sold water that had been bottled from Jackson’s municipal water supply after severe flooding left the 153,000 residents of Jackson, Mississippi without water. Unfortunately, Walmart has unethical practices that extend beyond the grocery department.
8. Walmart Puts Others Out of Business
For example, Walmart has been accused of using “market power” to “leverage deals.” Essentially, this means that Walmart’s size and “buying power” created certain discounts for the retailer, forcing distributors to offset some of the cost onto small businesses and their customers.
9. The Company Removes Options
Throughout the U.S. several Walmart locations are located where there are no other options, “food deserts” if you will. While they purportedly set out to bridge the gap for residents of more rural areas, but have been accused of raising prices, leaving customers with no other option.
10. Unethical and Inhumane
Walmart took part in a major project, sending thousands of divers off the coast of Honduras in search of lobsters. Sadly, a 2023 report reflected that thousands of divers were improperly trained and paid inadequately, while many died or became paralyzed. Moreover, many divers were between the ages of 12 and 18 and were forced to go on multiple dives a day.
11. Child Labor Violations
Unsurprisingly, as mentioned above regarding the Honduras dive, Walmart has a history of treating employees poorly. However, that’s not the only example of Walmart’s questionable employment practices. Rather, many of the company’s products have been associated with numerous child labor law violations.
12. More Bad News for Businesses
Walmart impacts small businesses in more ways than just causing higher prices for smaller retailers. Rather, the company has been known to push out smaller mom-and-pop shops, causing many to struggle with supporting their families.
13. Women are Underpaid
Walmart has been known to pay women nearly $1,000 less than men employees for working the same jobs and hours. Meanwhile, salaried employees make around $14,000 less per year than their male counterparts.
14. Pregnant Employees are “Neglected”
Numerous pregnant employees have filed lawsuits against the corporation for being overworked or forced into dangerous situations, compromising their well-being and that of their babies.
15. The Company doesn’t Treat Elderly Employees Well
Like women, elderly employees are treated unfairly in the Walmart workforce and have filed countless lawsuits.
16. Unsurprisingly, that Extends to Disabled Employees
Although the company once had a wholesome reputation for great customer service and treating the community with upstanding support, which once included hiring those with physical or mental disabilities. However, numerous former employees have filed lawsuits for being treated unfairly due to their condition.
17. Walmart is Unsafe for Most Employees
While it’s been established that Walmart has created unsafe working conditions for children in other countries and pregnant women, purportedly numerous able bodied and male employees have also been put into compromising situations in which they believed their safety was at risk.
18. Unfairly Paid Wages
Countless employees have divluged their unfortunate experiences while employed at Walmart, including bizarre practives to avoid paying overtime or health benefits.
19. Putting Animal Wellfare in Jeopardy
Purportedly, Walmart has faced backlash after it was discovered to be hosting cock-fights in Mexico.
20. Walmart Supports Wealth
While Walmart treats indivudals and middle class citizens poorly, the company has been known to vote in favor of tax breaks for the wealthy, making it nearly impossible for the average American citizen to get ahead.
Read More: Why You Should Never Buy a Rotisserie Chicken From Walmart
Sources
- “12 Shady Things About Walmart’s Grocery Department.” TheTakeout. DB Kelly. October 15, 2024.
- “10 reasons Walmart is the worst company in America.” DailyDot. Chris Ostendorf. May 18, 2021.
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