Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

September 5, 2008 3:04:32 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Detente Mellows Wal-Mart's Once-Virulent Foes

Posted Jun 5, 08 10:21 AM CDT in Business 

(Newser) – Wal-Mart, more accustomed to being lambasted than lauded by its critics, is seeing a shift in public opinion, reports the New York Times. The mega-retailer has reached accords with some of its most ardent detractors, even listening to their advice on issues like employee health care. The company, too, has gone green, becoming the largest retailer of energy efficient light bulbs.

The change has been good for business, analysts say, allowing the company to disband the flying squad it kept on hand to deal with negative public relations generated by groups like Wal-Mart Watch, WakeUpWalMart.com, and union campaigns that vilified the retailer. “It definitely has helped the company,” a retail analyst tells the Times. “Those attacks hurt Wal-Mart.”

Source New York Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Bowing to Critics, Wal-Mart Overhauls Health Plans

    Nov 13, 07 10:55 AM CST
    Bowing to Critics, Wal-Mart Overhauls Health Plans Wal-Mart’s reputation for high-cost, low-benefit employee health care has led to battles with politicians, communities, and organized labor. The bad publicity hurt its reputation and, ultimately, its bottom line. Now, reports the New York Times, the nation’s largest private employer has a new prescription for health care, offering employees more affordable plans. More »

The outside of a new Wal-Mart supercenter is seen, April 29, 2008 in Maumelle, Ark.   (AP Photo/Mike Wintroath)
In this May 8, 2008 file photo, a shopper leaves a Wal Mart Supercenter in Gilbert, Ariz.   (AP Photo/Matt York, file)
Shoppers walk to the Wal-Mart store in Anchorage, Alaska Tuesday, May 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Al Grillo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

Wal-Mart  • health insurance  • retailing  • Service Employees International Union


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other Business Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »