The definitive account of how a small Ozarks company upended the world of business and what that change means Wal-Mart, the world's largest company, roared out of the rural South to change the way business is done. Deploying computer-age technology, Reagan-era politics, and Protestant evangelism, Sam Walton's firm became a byword for cheap goods and low-paid workers, famed The definitive account of how a small Ozarks company upended the world of business and what that change means Wal-Mart, the world's largest company, roared out of the rural South to change the way business is done. Deploying computer-age technology, Reagan-era politics, and Protestant evangelism, Sam Walton's firm became a byword for cheap goods and low-paid workers, famed for the ruthless efficiency of its global network of stores and factories. But the revolution has gone further: Sam's proteges have created a new economic order which puts thousands of manufacturers, indeed whole regions, in thrall to a retail royalty. Like the Pennsylvania Railroad and General Motors in their heyday, Wal-Mart sets the commercial model for a huge swath of the global economy. In this lively, probing investigation, historian Nelson Lichtenstein deepens and expands our knowledge of the merchandising giant. He shows that Wal-Mart's rise was closely linked to the cultural and religious values of Bible Belt America as well as to the imperial politics, deregulatory economics, and laissez-faire globalization of Ronald Reagan and his heirs. He explains how the company's success has transformed American politics, and he anticipates a day of reckoning, when challenges to the Wal-Mart way, at home and abroad, are likely to change the far-flung empire. Insightful, original, and steeped in the culture of retail life, "The Retail Revolution" draws on first hand reporting from coastal China to rural Arkansas to give a fresh and necessary understanding of the phenomenon that has transformed international commerce.
The Retail Revolution: How Wal-Mart Created a Brave New World of Business
The definitive account of how a small Ozarks company upended the world of business and what that change means Wal-Mart, the world's largest company, roared out of the rural South to change the way business is done. Deploying computer-age technology, Reagan-era politics, and Protestant evangelism, Sam Walton's firm became a byword for cheap goods and low-paid workers, famed The definitive account of how a small Ozarks company upended the world of business and what that change means Wal-Mart, the world's largest company, roared out of the rural South to change the way business is done. Deploying computer-age technology, Reagan-era politics, and Protestant evangelism, Sam Walton's firm became a byword for cheap goods and low-paid workers, famed for the ruthless efficiency of its global network of stores and factories. But the revolution has gone further: Sam's proteges have created a new economic order which puts thousands of manufacturers, indeed whole regions, in thrall to a retail royalty. Like the Pennsylvania Railroad and General Motors in their heyday, Wal-Mart sets the commercial model for a huge swath of the global economy. In this lively, probing investigation, historian Nelson Lichtenstein deepens and expands our knowledge of the merchandising giant. He shows that Wal-Mart's rise was closely linked to the cultural and religious values of Bible Belt America as well as to the imperial politics, deregulatory economics, and laissez-faire globalization of Ronald Reagan and his heirs. He explains how the company's success has transformed American politics, and he anticipates a day of reckoning, when challenges to the Wal-Mart way, at home and abroad, are likely to change the far-flung empire. Insightful, original, and steeped in the culture of retail life, "The Retail Revolution" draws on first hand reporting from coastal China to rural Arkansas to give a fresh and necessary understanding of the phenomenon that has transformed international commerce.
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30 review for The Retail Revolution: How Wal-Mart Created a Brave New World of Business
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Michelle –
The first section is the background on Sam Walton and all his innovations in retail. It was a little dry. Then, there are chapters on the anti-union stance, the factories in China, and the international spread of Wal-Mart, among others. It was interesting and informative, but not the most engaging. I kept thinking about the New Yorker and how they must have done a (much more interesting) profile on Walton and/or Wal-Mart.
Peter –
While this 2010 book on Wal-Mart doesn't getting a chance to consider Amazon and ecommerce's impact, it remains highly relevant and very insightful on the unprecedented rise of Wal-Mart via innovation, focus, supply chain, international expansion and targeting. The author, a UCSB professor, is highly critical of Wal-Mart's tough approach to unionization and worker benefits and suggests it hasn't necessarily led to a better run or more profitable chain. Yet, the book is not at all a hatchet job. While this 2010 book on Wal-Mart doesn't getting a chance to consider Amazon and ecommerce's impact, it remains highly relevant and very insightful on the unprecedented rise of Wal-Mart via innovation, focus, supply chain, international expansion and targeting. The author, a UCSB professor, is highly critical of Wal-Mart's tough approach to unionization and worker benefits and suggests it hasn't necessarily led to a better run or more profitable chain. Yet, the book is not at all a hatchet job. The detail provided on Wal-Mart's approach to all aspects of retail is impressive. The insight into the Chinese supply chain is especially valuable, as is the insight into Wal-Mart's Ozark roots. Sometimes, the years are juggled, and it is hard to differentiate what happened in 1978 from 1998. But overall, I think it is one of the best business books I've read.
Christina Quigley –
An extremely well-researched and eye-opening expose on the practices that led to Walmart's domination of the mass market retail industry as well as other giants such as Target, Kmart, etc. A must-read for business professionals and students who are forced to drink the Walmart Kool-Aid in business programs across the country. An extremely well-researched and eye-opening expose on the practices that led to Walmart's domination of the mass market retail industry as well as other giants such as Target, Kmart, etc. A must-read for business professionals and students who are forced to drink the Walmart Kool-Aid in business programs across the country.
Bryce –
I believe that criticisms need to be not only substantiated, but also based on premises that are either established or understood. Based on that belief, I did not think this was a good book. The author cited criticisms of Wal-Mart about how they were anti-union or other supposed problems. But the author never took it to the next step of showing why being anti-union fulfilled his premise that Wal-Mart was bad. I, for one, was glad that Wal-Mart had so much success against the unions. The author t I believe that criticisms need to be not only substantiated, but also based on premises that are either established or understood. Based on that belief, I did not think this was a good book. The author cited criticisms of Wal-Mart about how they were anti-union or other supposed problems. But the author never took it to the next step of showing why being anti-union fulfilled his premise that Wal-Mart was bad. I, for one, was glad that Wal-Mart had so much success against the unions. The author talked about how Wal-mart has strange cheers and other quirks in their culture. But again, no harm was cited. So even though I picked up this book to get another perspective on Wal-Mart, I generally found this to be a poor one because it assumes too much about the reader's worldview- one I obviously don't share.
R.J. Gilmour –
On the reading front I have been reading Nelson Lichtenstein's The Retail Revolution: How Wal-Mart created a brave new world of Business (New York: Metropolitan Books, 2009). Lichtenstein a professor of history does a really good job of contextualing the rise of Wal-Mart and how their business practices fit into a larger history of retailing, economics and North America. I have read most of the books written about Wal-Mart, with most being either indictments or celebrations of the company. Licht On the reading front I have been reading Nelson Lichtenstein's The Retail Revolution: How Wal-Mart created a brave new world of Business (New York: Metropolitan Books, 2009). Lichtenstein a professor of history does a really good job of contextualing the rise of Wal-Mart and how their business practices fit into a larger history of retailing, economics and North America. I have read most of the books written about Wal-Mart, with most being either indictments or celebrations of the company. Lichtenstein's book however is a balanced analysis of Wal-Mart's position in North America and the world.
Laurel Cornell –
Fascinating presentation by this author on Fresh Air today. He seems very even-handed. Great sources of data. Says that, yes, Walmart does offer lower prices, but only on 20% of the things we buy. The other 80% --- health care, housing, transportation, eduction --- we can't buy there, so their lower prices have no overall effect on much of the economy. And their workers are hurt, because the low wages they offer make it very difficult for the workers to buy these necessities. Walmart has also el Fascinating presentation by this author on Fresh Air today. He seems very even-handed. Great sources of data. Says that, yes, Walmart does offer lower prices, but only on 20% of the things we buy. The other 80% --- health care, housing, transportation, eduction --- we can't buy there, so their lower prices have no overall effect on much of the economy. And their workers are hurt, because the low wages they offer make it very difficult for the workers to buy these necessities. Walmart has also eliminated Saturday as a day off, returning us to the workweek conditions of the 1920s.
Erin –
Loved this book. Very interesting and I learned a lot. Would never/do never shop at Walmart but it was interesting to learn how they got their start, grew, and many of their evil tactics. The way they treat their labor has been terrible since the very beginning! An entertaining as well as educational read.
Richard –
• This is a balanced history and a fair appraisal regarding Wal-Mart itself, the influence it has regarding all direct and indirect sectors of the retail industry, and the company's direct and indirect impact on the world in general. Want a better understanding of most things Wal-Mart?…This is the book to read… • • This is a balanced history and a fair appraisal regarding Wal-Mart itself, the influence it has regarding all direct and indirect sectors of the retail industry, and the company's direct and indirect impact on the world in general. Want a better understanding of most things Wal-Mart?…This is the book to read… •
Zachary –
an even-handed indictment of the retail monster that dominates our economy. the new definitive book on wal*mart
Margaret Dillon –
This finely researched book gave me even more reasons not to shop at Walmart.
Evan Thomas –
A decent history of Wal-Mart's innovation and impact on the global economy. A decent history of Wal-Mart's innovation and impact on the global economy.
Bob –
Useful history/analysis of the Wal*Mart phenonemon, if you're interested in that sort of thing. Useful history/analysis of the Wal*Mart phenonemon, if you're interested in that sort of thing.
seemsbleak –
the good ole days
Hillary –
wow. worth the read.
Elizabeth Yang –
Trish –
Thomas University Library –
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Charlotte Mercille –
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Thomas –
Aaron Jerviss –