Our friends at the Center for Media and Democracy just launched a new website that fact checks Walmart's claims in its advertisements and statements.
Said Lisa Graves, executive director of the Center for Media and Democracy:
Walmart likes to say it is committed to supporting families, communities, and our economy, but the facts often tell a different story.They sure do. Here's a sample:
Walmart spin:
We've committed $2 billion to fight hunger in the U.S.Walmart fact:
Subsidies and tax breaks for Walmart and the Walton family cost taxpayers approximately $7.8 billion per year, including about $6.2 billion in assistance to Walmart workers due to low wages and inadequate benefits, according to Americans for Tax Fairness.Walmart spin:
"We believe we can create more American jobs by supporting more American manufacturing."Walmart fact:
Walmart's imports from China coast 200,000 U.S. jobs between 2001 and 2006, according to the Economic Policy Institute.Walmart spin:
"We put the needs of our customers above our own."Walmart fact:
Walmart was ranked last among 55 supermarkets in a 2014 survey of 27,000 Consumer Reports subscribers.Walmart spin:
"We're working toward three aspirational sustainability goals: to be supplied 100% by renewable energy, to create zero waste and to sell products that sustain people and the environment."Walmart fact:
Walmart’s self-reported greenhouse gas emissions have grown 14 percent since 2005 – the year the company launched its “sustainability” campaign. Each of Walmart's 3,200 supercenters uses as much energy as nearly 1,100 homes, according to the Sierra Club.
