Carbon-Fiber Tractor-Trailer Is Just The Latest In Wal-Mart's Many Contributions To American Life

Not to say that you're wrong, but [citation needed]. Also, how much of a reach does Costco have? The closest big city to me has 150,000+ people and two Wal-Marts (they tried to make a third, but the good citizenry shut them down, and I mean that with all sincerity and no sarcasm), but I can't say I've ever been somewhere that has a Costco.

@Drzhivago138 "I can’t say I’ve ever been somewhere that has a Costco." That's the saddest thing I've heard today. I do boycott Walmart on principle, but it's not any kind of sacrifice since Walmarts are full of, well, "People of Walmart", and the prices aren't even that competitive.

@Drzhivago138 The Twin Cities metro area (pop about 3 million) has 6 Costcos. We like them. Awesome liquor prices. State-wide, there's maybe 2 or 3 more. Most of their house brand stuff is good and we're usually satisfied with the merchandise.

I won't deny that Costco's direct employees are well-treated and well-compensated, but keep in mind that in order to compete with Wal-Mart, they have to select suppliers based on lowest absolute cost. This still leads to plenty of "off-shoring" for goods, and lower wages at any U.S. based suppliers - still a "race to the bottom", so to speak. So, the Walton family could still be considered the primary driving force for lower wages/fewer jobs. That said, the article alludes to a simple fact; a fair chunk of the cost of goods gets diverted to transportation fuel costs; but if Wal-Mart wants to improve efficiency, then good on them -- even better if it takes the savings to improve the plight of their workers instead of adding to the family's already ludicrous wealth.

Ummm... You could always move out of Oregon?

@racer-esq. Maine has zero Costco stores. We have BJs and Sam's Club, but no Costco. Closest one is Danvers, MA. I do minimal shopping at Walmart but I do get some things there (like TP, motor oil, car wash supplies, washer fluid). Even though Walmart is generally evil it's good to see them driving innovation in OTR fuel efficiency. Walmart is a cheap company (despite the Waltons' billions) so you know the executives are probably rubbing their hands in delight at the prospect of 13 MPG.