Audio Book: The Wal-Mart Effect

Wal-Mart is the discount store down the street with smiling faces and great prices. Or is it really something different? The “low prices every day” policy is good for shoppers… or is it? When a new Wal-Mart comes into town what really happens to other businesses? A great way to find the answers to these questions is to pick up a copy of “The Wal-Mart Effect,” by Charles Fishman.

In this objective look at the worlds largest retailer you’ll discover fascinating things about the products on the shelves and the stories behind them. You’ll discover the rags to riches fame of a twelve year old girl and her dad with a unique product called makin bacon. You’ll find out how huge companies have been driven to bankruptcy with Wal-Mart’s always low prices.

A great way to experience this book is to download the audio version on your iPod or other portable audio player and listen while walking around a Wal-Mart store. This book is so eye opening that you will find it hard to pause the audio. From the strategic placement of products on end caps to the remarkable story of Chilean salmon, this book will keep your attention.

Your next visit to a Wal-Mart will be so different. You’ll discover the winners and losers in this multi national corporate battle to have their companies products included on Wal-Mart’s shelves. You’ll see that $99 lawn mower and $2.99 sprinkler that cost many Americans their jobs. You’ll suddenly notice the small quality differences in the national brand jeans selling for $13.95 and wonder what the next quality cut might be.

This is a fascinating and somewhat troubling adventure. You’ll never look at Sam Walton’s company the same again. If you are a business owner this is a must read, because this retailer from the little town of Bentonville Arkansas is changing the way the world does business.