Recently, the documentary "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" was released in about 25 theaters nationwide.
But the director, Robert Greenwald, is hoping that the movie will be shown for free in thousands of homes and churches throughout November. The film was made on a budget of under $2 million, which is tiny compared to that of most movies.
Wal-Mart Recruits a War Room
Wal-Mart is worried that the unflattering film may become a cult hit along the lines of Michael Moore's film about General Motors, "Roger & Me." In response to this and other public relations problems, Wal-Mart has recruited former presidential advisers to set up a rapid-response public relations team.
A Counterattack
Wal-Mart has already produced a short video claiming Greenwald's contains factual errors. Greenwald noted that their objections were based not on the film, but on a preview posted online. Wal-Mart has also begun to promote a second film, "Why Wal-Mart Works & Why That Makes Some People Crazy."
Stock Price Dropping
Wal-Mart's stock price has fallen 27 percent in the past five years, which may reflect investors' worries about the company's image. Two to 8 percent of Wal-Mart customers have ceased shopping at the chain as a result of "negative press they have heard."
Cheating Workers and Destroying Towns
Although I admire the organizational structure that has allowed Wal-Mart to achieve what they have, I strongly disagree with many of their practices and never shop in their stores. (I much prefer their competitor Costco, which is one of my absolute favorite stores.)
If you're at all on the fence about Wal-Mart and their business practices -- some of which border on the frightening -- you'll want to see the documentary, Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price.
I also urge you to read the entirety of the New York Times article summarized above, as it gives an eye-opening glimpse of "Action Alley," Wal-Mart's war room inside its Bentonville, Ark., headquarters, where it monitors consumer reactions and media news about the company.
I look forward to viewing the documentary and have ordered it at their site. However, many of you can now, or will soon be able to, see it for free at a location near you.