The Wal-Mart Effect: How the World's Most Powerful Company Really Works--and How It's Transforming the American Economy

by Charles Fishman

book data

630 ratings, 3.84 average rating, 168 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		20%
4		49%
3		25%
2		4%
1		0%

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published

December 26th 2006 by Penguin (Non-Classics)

binding

Paperback, 336 pages

isbn

0143038788 (isbn13: 9780143038788)

description

Wal-Mart isn't just the world's biggest company, it is probably the world's most written-about. But no book until this one has managed to penetrate it...more

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11/12/07

Pige rated it:

recommends it for: anyone who buys stuff

Having a family in the grocery business (and being a product of one of the most economically distraught states in the country-Michigan) of course likely aroused my interest in this book more than most. But, as the book so thoughtfully and throughly puts forward, Wal-Mart truly affects us all, whether we shop there or not. Now don't think that this book was simply one big stoning fest at Wal-Mart, it's not. The author covers the positive and the negative of this the largest company in the count...more

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10/13/07

james rated it:

Read in October, 2007

recommends it for: consumers

Overall the book does a good job laying down the issues. It asks a lot of questions and tries to answer them. The writing is well organized, written in a way anyone can understand, and is very easy to read. All the sources are cited. Wal-Mart itself was of no help witing this book, and it is clear a lot of effort went into getting the interviews.

You're going to learn a lot about Wal-Mart reading this book. If you're in a hurry, much of the writing is anecdotal and you can skip o...more Overall the book does a good job laying down the issues. It asks a lot of questions and tries to answer them. The writing is well organized, written in a way anyone can understand, and is very easy to read. All the sources are cited. Wal-Mart itself was of no help witing this book, and it is clear a lot of effort went into getting the interviews.

You're going to learn a lot about Wal-Mart reading this book. If you're in a hurry, much of the writing is anecdotal and you can skip over quite a bit. Important studies that actually give you concrete information are discussed in Chapters 6 and 7.

The author shops at wal-mart, the very first paragraph starts on a positive note for the corporation. However, it will become evident that the book is written in a bias against wal-mart. Unfortunately, much of this bias ends up in sentimental writing and omissions of scholarly knowledge. For example, the general consensus in the greater world of Economics is that trading overseas is generally more beneficial than closing doors to international trade. Regardless whether this is true, Fishman neglects to even mention (and then counter) such arguments. So I am left without further insight in this area, and then suspicious of what other omissions there are that are giving me only a partial view of the issues.

Statistics are often explained to us rather than given to us - at times he compares categories, but you can't understand the comparison unless you look at the original source because he doesn't explain what each category means. He cites, so I guess I can't complain too much.

Toward the end of the book Fishman asks a question I was wondering since page 1 - how much better is to to shop at other stores (ie. best buy, target, sears,etc.) He does absolutely nothing to answer this question - he only mentions it because it is indeed an important question. Despite his inability to answer many such questions he raises, he does encourage and call for others to research these. Fishman has definitely convinced me that Wal-Mart is a phenomenon that ought to be studied before it's too late (i would say kinda like global warming.)

There is a chapter titled "The Power of Pennies." Yes, consumers have some control with how they spend their dollars. This chapter does nothing to enlighten the reader on what would be a wiser purchase (or even non-purchase) with one's money. While that isn't the intent of this book, he insists repeatedly that Wal-Mart is an unstoppable force, showing that even people who have been screwed over by Wal-Mart still shop there. He repeatedly states that there is nothing to do but shop there. How is it that I've been in a Wal-Mart maybe five times in my ENTIRE LIFE, yet have always lived in the states? Clearly it is not a necessary practice to shop at Wal-Mart - if people can afford X-Boxes and iPods, they can afford the extra pennies. While Fishman does mention Starbucks - who makes a business doing the exact opposite of Wal-Mart (raising prices versus lowering), yet omits any tools or ideas we can draw from this (rather brief) comparison.

All in all, quite enlightening, but like most books I read such as this one, I am highly skeptical when the reasoning is not all that logical and there are clear omissions that the reader either will be unaware of or, if aware of them, be irritated by.(less)

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02/16/08

Ryan rated it:

(review of isbn 1400152232)

Read in February, 2008

So I only got to disc 3 (of 6) before I gave up. There's just only so much hating of Wal*Mart that I can do in one week.

Actually, this book did help me see that Wal*Mart is not entirely evil. Suppliers don't necessarily like them b/c Sam Walton effectively stole the pants in the relationship. However, Wal*Mart's history is riddled with several examples of what happens to ethics when low prices become the ultimate goal: breaking the law. From sexual discrimination to large-scale emplo...more

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01/02/09

Kara rated it:

(review of isbn 1594200769)

Read in October, 2008

Read it whether you shop at Walmart or not....although, I am hoping you don't already. The book is a bit redundant, but the shorter, more personal stories in each chapter help the book along.

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01/10/09

Christine rated it:

Read in June, 2008

I found this throughly engaging. Loved reading it and I'm not much for non-fiction. It definitely is something to think about and I highly recommend it. Very accessible style of writing.

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11/22/08

David rated it:

Read in February, 2008

I didn't expect to enjoy this book, but I forged ahead and was surprised. This is a fascinating and eye-opening "look behind the scenes." In the early chapters, you find yourself cheering for "the largest corporation in the history of the world" as they manage to drive down prices and increase efficiency. But gradually the layers are peeled back to expose the impact of those innovations - both on the lives of employees, American producers, and overseas farms and factories. T...more

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02/15/09

Todd rated it:

bookshelves: business, culture---politics

Read in February, 2009

A balanced and well researched analysis of how Wal-mart is changing the business world and the US economy. While I'm no fan of the retailer, there is no doubt that from a market standpoint Wal-mart has been a remarkable success. Unfortunately this success has come at the expense of jobs, taxpayers, small businesses and the environment.

Fishman makes the claim that the company is operating with a small business mindset and that has not yet come to terms with it's size and power. I hav...more

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06/11/09

Heather C. rated it:

I don't think it is ridiculous to say that everyone should read this book. It is neither pro nor anti Wal Mart, just a thorough, analytical look at how Wal Mart is reshaping your life--whether or not you have ever stepped foot in one. And you probably have, because, as Fishman says, most people in our country live within five miles of one. And we spend $34 million EVERY HOUR there. I thought this was a good balance of showing the (little--my opinion!) good that Wal Mart is worth, and explaining ...more

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01/28/09

Bradley rated it:

Read in January, 2007

I was really quite impressed by this book. I was anticipating a fairly standard anti-everything screed, only to find that that Fishman was quite balanced about the effect that Wal-Mart has on all of our lives. He looks at most sides of the equation: supply and production, demand and shopping, and everything in between. For people eager to understand how one company has changed the way that we shop (even if one makes a point of never going to Wal-Mart, the effect that it's had on other retaile...more

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07/01/08

fbuser637265615 rated it:

(review of isbn 0713998253)

Read in July, 2008

recommends it for: Everyone

Extremely interesting look inside Wal-Mart (at least as far inside as you can get...apparently Wal-Mart isn't too forthcoming when it comes to information) and how they affect not only their immediate surroundings but also on a global scale. I never realized how large and far-reaching this company is. In my opinion, the book is fairly unbiased. He speaks of both Wal-Mart's virtues and of its evils. He tries to answer the question, is Wal-Mart good or bad for us? There is no definite answer to th...more

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04/15/08

Judy rated it:

Read in December, 2007

A fascinating look into the way Wal-Mart creates their low prices, and the effect those low prices are having on manufacturers (putting many of them out of business, including the ones who sell to Wal-Mart and are basically blackmailed into regular price cuts), consumers (we buy more and more because it is such a "good deal," and we are caring less and less about quality), employment (low price requirements force more manufacturers to go overseas for labor), competitors (yes, Wal-Mart ...more

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03/07/08

Laura rated it:

(review of isbn 1594200769)

Read in March, 2008

recommends it for: Brandon & Kristy

Wow, some interesting stuff. I don't think it's going to change my buying habits for the most part, but it does make you think about this issues surrounding megacorporate America. One thing that kind of annoyed me though is how they talked about "low" wages for example, for people stocking shelves. If they work 40 hours a week at $10 an hour they'll take home $1280 per month not counting taking out for health insurance. They are saying you can't raise a family on this. Yes, this i...more

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12/19/07

Dan rated it:

(review of isbn 1594200769)

Read in December, 2007

recommends it for: anyone fascinated with businesses

I own seven books on Wal-Mart, and have researched the company for my newsletter.

The thing I've learned from Fishman's book is just how great a company Wal-Mart is. Mind you, Fishman is highly critical of Wal-Mart. But he's done a good job of researching the company.

He shows, for example, how good Wal-Mart is at sucking costs out of the distribution of retail goods. He also demonstrates quite well that, even companies who don't do business with Wal-Mart must be caref...more

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10/17/07

fbuser4288 rated it:

Growing up, I never shopped at Walmart (still haven't purchased anything there) and so I never understood why there you be reports in the news about "Walmart has decided not to sell this rap album / video game" or "Walmart has decided to build a location in this town." I was like "Why does this matter?"

After reading this book, I now begin to grasp the magnitude of the effect Walmart has the on us, the U.S., and the world in general. This book focuses on ...more

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07/30/07

Molly rated it:

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in January, 2007

recommends it for: business nerds

Oh Wal-mart...what can I say?

This book is actually fascinating. It is written by Charles Fishman who started his career at 'The Washington Post' so it is very well written. I have heard a lot about Wal-Mart, but had no idea how long it had been around and how it actually came to be what it is now. I am still disgusted by the magnitude to which Wal-Mart has affected the economy. Fishman doesn't make this influence as clear as I had hoped, but he does touch upon some interesting fa...more

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07/12/07

Jason Gunnink rated it:

recommends it for: anyone in retail

I thought this was a really interesting look at the tremendous impact Wal-Mart has in the modern economy. The author has pretty balanced approach to the subject, alternately criticizing and praising the company. My only issue is that his criticisms aren't alway supported by hard fact and have a tendency to be dismissive with a bit of "we all know why Wal-Mart is so bad so I won't bother going to the details" feel about them.

In one section he states that if Wal-Mart rais...more

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05/21/07

Theresa Mannix rated it:

bookshelves: excellentnon-fiction

Read in March, 2007

recommends it for: Shoppers Everywhere

Wal-Mart is the world's biggest retailer. By far. Add up the sales of the next 9 retailers and Wal-Mart is still bigger. Wow. It's also the world's largest private employer. 1.6 million employees. Wow.
But Wal-Mart holds tight to its sales/financial/marketing information. They wouldn't even give an interview to the author--until after the book came out.
Fishman looks at every aspect of "the Wal-Mart" effect starting with some very good things--forcing companies to reduce pac...more

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03/31/07

kevin rated it:

(review of isbn 1594200769)

Read in January, 2006

You'll never look at Wal-Mart the same way again. Fishman gives a very nonpartisan analysis of the Wal-Mart culture, business stratagem and of the positive & adverse effects both have on American manufacturers as well as the everyday American consumer indirectly. This isn't so much an anti-Wal-Mart book as it is an exploration of how Wal-Mart beats Amerian mfg. companies into submission, pursues rock bottom operation costs ("at all costs") pursuant to undercutting competition in all ...more

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03/22/07

shruti rated it:

bookshelves: non-fiction

Read in May, 2006

recommends it for: non-fiction readers, journalists, target shoppers

Wal-Mart Effect was my (triumphant) return to non-fiction reading. And what a way to return. What stands out the most to me is this book is so well-written that you don't feel like you're reading a non-fiction. The pace moves along, with facts littered with illustrative anecdotes. It was not a surprise to find out that the author was a journalist because this is long-form journalism at its best: it reads like a long article, with "gold coins" scattered throughout the prose.

...more

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04/18/09

Wilson rated it:

We've heard of their success, their crimes, and their ways of doing things. Whether we love them or hate them, Wal-Mart is everywhere, and the enormity of their influence has seldomly been captured. Charles Fishman stylishly delivers readers and listeners a glimpse of Wal-Mart massive influential powers. It is amazing and disgusting at the same time. The narration is okay but it's mainly the content that carries the book through.

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