WAL-MART’S GROWTH INTO VANCOUVER
[Your Name]
British Columbia Institute of Technology
[Course Code and Number, Set Letter]
[Reader’s Name]
[Paper Due Date]
Introduction
Walmart is a global retail chain that has had its fair share of negative and positive attributes. It has grown from a single outlet in 1950, a five and dime store in Bentonville Arkansas, to more than 2400 stores all over the world, becoming one of the leading retail stores in terms of physical locations and revenue turnover (Mcalister, 2001). Although the expansion of Walmart to the Vancouver area is being met with a lot of scepticism, the move will not only benefit the community’s distinctive character, but it will also boost the area’s economy in general.
Discussion
Availability of good quality jobs for its population is the desire of every community in the world. It is unheard of for a community to prefer unemployment for purposes of preserving certain ideals/character. The growth of Walmart into the Vancouver area is, therefore, a positive move for both the chain store and for the residents of the area. As described by Mcalister (2001), one of the key benefits of Walmart’s expansion into a new area is the availability of jobs for locals. The job opportunities offered by Walmart in new locations include the Walmart Associate position that is available for adults with or without prior job experiences (Mcalister, 2001). The on the job training that Walmart associates undergo is also beneficial to the individuals in that it equips them with the experience needed for future job opportunities
Another positive attribute of Walmart’s expansion into Vancouver that is a boost to the area’s distinctive character are the bargain sales that the company offers now and then. Walmart is known for its seasonal sales, where goods are sold at discounted prices in all of its stores. Bargain sales allow consumers to have affordable access to goods and services they desire at particular periods enabling them to save and where necessary, divert the savings into other useful expenditures. Some of the notable periods during the year that Walmart is famous for offering bargain sales include the Christmas rush and black Fridays.
Also, Walmart’s move into Vancouver will result in an overall improvement in the regions local economy. In addition to the availability of jobs, Walmart allows for infrastructure improvement, through the construction of its outlets, roads to access the stores and other accompanying infrastructure developments. Walmart also operates a corporate social responsibility (CSR) division, whose main aim is to give back to the communities it has invested in. A key pillar of Walmart’s CSR strategies is to build strong communities where it operates, an attribute that will have a direct positive impact on the residents of Vancouver.
Opponents of Walmart’s expansion into the Vancouver area claim that the company’s bargain sales will hurt the local economy driving local entrepreneurs out of business (Ortega, 1994). Although some businesses will indeed find it hard to compete with the chain store in terms of prices, the ultimate beneficiary of the bargain sales will be the consumers in Vancouver. Opponents in favour of blocking Walmart and letting local business operations are indirectly supporting the idea of Vancouver’s residents facing steep prices for goods and services that Walmart can avail at subsidized rates. From a broader perspective, the benefits of cheap prices afforded by Walmart’s bargain sales far outweigh the benefits of protecting a few local businesses.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, Walmart’s growth into the Vancouver area will be beneficial to the “communities’ distinctive character” in a variety of ways. First, it will allow access to job opportunities. It will also allow for easy and affordable access to goods and services through its various bargain sales, and lastly, Walmart’s expansion into the Vancouver area will have a positive contribution to the region’s economy.
References
McAlister, M. “Wal-Mart’s cheer: My short life as an associate.”
Ortega, A. “Ban the bargains: Aging activists turn, turn, turn attention to Wal-Mart protests.”