The Wal-Mart Effect

By: Charles Fishman

Narrated by: Alan Sklar

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Drawing on unprecedented interviews with former Wal-Mart executives and a wealth of staggering data - such as that Americans spend $36 million an hour at Wal-Mart stores - this is an intimate look at a business that is dramatically reshaping the American economy.

Wal-Mart is not only the world's largest company; it is also the largest company in the history of the world. Though 70 percent of Americans now live within a 15-minute drive of a Wal-Mart store, we have not even begun to understand the true power of the company and the many ways it is shaping American life. We know about the lawsuits and the labor protests, but what we don't know is how profoundly the "Wal-Mart effect" is shaping our lives.

Fast Company senior editor Fishman, whose revelatory cover story on Wal-Mart generated the strongest reader response in the history of the magazine, takes us on an unprecedented behind-the-scenes investigative expedition deep inside the many worlds of Wal-Mart. Fishman penetrated the secrecy of Wal-Mart headquarters, interviewing 25 high-level ex-executives. He journeyed into the world of a host of Wal-Mart's suppliers to uncover how the company strong-arms even the most established brands. And he journeyed to the ports and factories, the fields and forests where Wal-Mart's power is warping the very structure of the world's market for goods.

Wal-Mart is not just a retailer anymore, Fishman argues. It has become a kind of economic ecosystem, and anyone who wants to understand the forces shaping our world today must understand the company's hidden reach.

©2006 Charles Fishman (P)2006 Tantor Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"In the end, Fishman sees Wal-Mart as neither good nor evil, but simply a fact of modern life that can barely be comprehended, let alone controlled." (Publishers Weekly)
"He brings to light the serious repercussions that are occurring as consumers and suppliers have become locked in an addiction to massive sales of cheaper and cheaper goods." (Booklist)

Frank and well-rounded book

Where does The Wal-Mart Effect rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'd put it in my top 5 for books of this genre. For a book built on a lot of facts, figures, and scientific studies, the author has mixed just enough anecdotal material and interesting background on the "characters" that it doesn't sound like you're being read textbook material. Instead, it feels like we are being told the life story of Walmart by the narrator and through the eye of the people who knew it best.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wal-Mart Effect?

Learning just how frugal and strict the company is even within the executive staff over the years was pretty memorable. The image of such a powerful CEO having held meetings in an office furnished with mismatched office furniture and lawn chairs was powerful in a lot of ways, but still somewhat absurd to picture.

Which character – as performed by Alan Sklar – was your favorite?

There weren't really characters, as it was a non-fiction book, but as per my earlier personification, I guess Walmart was my favorite.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It really was. I had to convince myself to get some sleep before work or I probably would have finished it in one go.

Consider the abridged version

Though I'm interested in these types of books T felt there was a little too much detail. This is one case where I would have preferred the abridged version. This is the first book that adjusted the speed to Faster on my iPod. the author says he was critical to Walmart but more often I felt like he an advocate for Walmart.

Thoughtful

This book blew me away. I've shopped at Wal-Mart for years and am a "conflicted" buyer. Although I've had doubts about my Wal-Mart experiences in terms of conflict of conscious, this book distilled those chaotic thoughts into coherent logic. I have a lot to think about especially from a socially responsible point of view. The book is easy to understand and very well written.

Mixed bag

I really enjoyed the first half of the book which seemed to be more of an overview and factual about Walmart. The second half of the book became more preachy and politically correct. I do have a better understanding of Walmart and the unceasing debate

Unbiased

I must admit up front that I have never been in a Wal-Mart store and there is no Wal-Mart store anywhere near where I live. My second disclaimer is I absolutely hate to shop; I rush in and obtain the items I need and rush out of the store. Since the 1960 I have made it a mission of mine to buy products made in the United States even if I have to pay more or do without if I cannot find products made in the United State or Canada.

Fishman has done extensive research for this book. He has drawn on unprecedented interviews with former Wal-Mart executives; pursued a wealth of business and economic data and has created an interesting look at the corporation.

Fishman states the story of Wal-Mart is really the story of the transformation of the American economy over the past twenty years. Fishman presents a case for Wal-Mart (mostly consumer benefit) and against Wal-Mart. Fishman puts the reader inside the company’s penny-pinching mindset and shows how Wal-Mart’s mania to reduce prices has driven suppliers into bankruptcy and sent factory jobs overseas.

The “Wal-Mart effect” has become a common phase in the vocabulary of economists, and includes a broad range of effects, such as forcing local competitors out of business, driving down wages, and keeping inflation low and productivity high. Fishman discusses the replacement of quality with cheapness. The author sees Wal-Mart as neither good nor evil, but simply a fact of modern life. I enjoyed the fact he told stories and named the product and or company he spoke of to demonstrate the good or bad effect. I found the afterword the most important part of the book.

The book is well written and well organized. Fishman has made the book understandable and easy to read. Alan Sklar narrated the book.

Good overview

This is a good history of Wal-Mart from the early days in Arkansas as a down-market discount store, through its rise. Even in the late 80s, retail analysts predicted continued dominance by Sears and K-Mart. Now as #1, its the winner everyone loves to hate.

I agree with other reviews here that the later chapters show a lot of anti-Wal-Mart bias. But the book is a good history, that describes how Wal-Mart works, its effects on suppliers, and covers criticism right up to the recent "poverty effect" papers of 2005.

Excellent food for thought

This book went beyond some of the propaganda and "documentaries" I have found out there, which was a plus. Not wanting to repeat what the other reviewers have stated (because I agree that the presentation is very balanced in its nature), I will simply say that I found the content close to perfect: little repetition in message, and compelling enough for me to listen to the entire audiobook. The author has given me enough information that I will continue to resist any temptation to shop at Walmart.

Good Solid Book

This is a good informative book. It does not seem to be biased in any way, but does provide very interesting insights into the workings of Walmart. I liked it.

GREAT LISTEN!!!!

i loved it!!! such detailed analysis. it keeps you listening non-stop! wow! loved it!

A little dated in 2016

But still an interesting look at supply chain economics. There are hints that Walmart had a hand in editing, and that's unsettling.