Conclusion
This final economic paper has been a cumulative review and assessment of Wal-Mart's impact on the U.S. economy while focusing on six economic indicators. Those indicators were: real gross domestic product (GDP), the unemployment rate, inflation rate, producer price index (PPI), personal income, and Federal Reserve actions. Few industries are as fruitful and competitive as the retail industry. In addition, no single retail company can match Wal-Mart in the current market. Business Planning Solutions (2005) summarizes up with:
"In the macroeconomic model, total factor productivity (technical progress), the labor force, and the capital stock determine the productive potential of an economy. Hence, Wal-Mart directly raised the economy's potential to produce by investing in more capital, by using all its factors of production more efficiently, and by helping suppliers operate more efficiently as well...The reduction in the price level due to the presence of Wal-Mart directly translates into savings for consumers...saving consumers an estimated $263 billion by 2004" (p. 19).
While several recommendations and conclusions were reached for each indicator, the focus seems to remain on the low prices that Wal-Mart is known for. …
