Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) to buy US made products

Northern, WI 1/17/2013 (avauncer) - Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) has taken these measures 3 years and 6 months after the nation began to cope with the severe recession. The budget proposed by the retailer that averages to about $5 billion each year seems to be unnoticeable in the $15 trillion US Economy. A boost will occur only if many retailers club together with such reforms. The measures taken by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) have fallen prey to critics who claim that the retailer needs to revise the wages paid to employees and also criticized the sales of low cost goods from countries like China.

The retailer is also battling issues like the fire in the manufacturing unit at Bangladesh which has made its sourcing practices questionable.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) has retaliated by stating that 2/3 of its products are US made and has even produced data from suppliers. However, there is no confirmation on the expenditure on these products or the percentage that domestic sourcing will bring. The retailer has been under the scanner in the past for passing of imported goods as domestic ones.  Records show that in the last year 55 percent of the sales at the retailer came from products like food, drinks and grocery while apparel, jewelry and accessories only accounted for 7%.

While the domestic product figures have rebounded after the decline in the economic output and net imports during the recession, net import figures have not changed. This shows that the US in meeting the demands for domestic goods and services.  Retailers have planned to increase US made products in categories like sporting goods, storage equipment and paper products.

The move to hire 100,00 veteran has been supported by first lady, Michelle Obama although Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is not a member of NRF which promotes the need for retail jobs in the US. According to NRF, 25% of the American jobs are provided by the retail industry. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) chief, Bill Simon who has served 25 years in the US navy holds a special interest in veterans’ issues. Every year, the retailer promotes close to 170,000 employees to posts of better pay and responsibility. They claim to have the best pay scales and benefits in the retail industry despite criticism.

According the Stuart Applebaum, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union President,  retailers play an important role in the economy by offering low costs and can boost it by providing better wages to employees. However, part –timing employees has fueled unemployment and has caused a decline in the economy.

Another important issue that Bill Simon failed to address in their position as the world’s largest gun retailer. The recent massacre at Connecticut has probed questions in this matter after Simon cancelled media interviews pertaining to this issue after his NRF speech.

The shares of  Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT)  were up by 0.33% and closed at $69.21