The Wal-Mart Effect

The Times' 2003 series on Wal-Mart

First of Three Parts
An Empire Built on Bargains Remakes the Working World
By Abigail Goldman and Nancy Cleeland
Wal-Mart is so powerful that it moves the economies of entire countries, bringing profit and pain. The prices can’t be beat, but the wages can.
November 23, 2003

Second of Three Parts
Scouring the Globe to Give Shoppers an $8.63 Polo Shirt
By Nancy Cleeland, Evelyn Iritani and Tyler Marshall
Wal-Mart, once a believer in buying American, extracts ever lower prices from 10,000 suppliers worldwide. Workers struggle to keep pace.
November 24, 2003

Seams Start to Unravel
By Nancy Cleeland
Sewing contractor Rob Reed shut down his Commerce factory this summer after 17 years, laying off 100 workers and adding his name to a long list of bankrupt U.S. manufacturers.
November 24, 2003

Audit Stance Generates Controversy
By Evelyn Iritani and Nancy Cleeland
Safe working conditions. Reasonable hours. No child labor.
November 24, 2003

Third of three parts
Grocery Unions Battle to Stop Invasion of the Giant Stores
By Nancy Cleeland and Abigail Goldman
Wal-Mart plans to open 40 of its nonunion Supercenters in California. Labor is fighting the expected onslaught, but the big retailer rarely concedes defeat.
November 25, 2003