Playing fair: suppliers shed a new light on Wal-Mart.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc.)

Private Label Buyer, October, 2005 by Rivkin, Jill

Often the biggest kid on the playground is perceived to be the bully. The situation is similar in our industry and the retail world, with Wal-Mart wearing the badge. When it comes to competition, Wal-Mart is tough and plays to win, sometimes chasing others off the playground altogether. But unfortunately size can inadvertently dictate a stereotype. According to many of Wal-Mart's vendors, Wal-Mart is not nearly the bully it's made out to be and "treats suppliers like valued business partners."

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As part of this month's cover feature on Wal-Mart Stores (starting on page 22), we decided to see what it's really like to work with Wal-Mart--to see if its bully-like reputation holds true in the minds of its suppliers. Of course Wal-Mart...

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