Wal-Mart has branded stores in all 50 states and more than 27 countries. Wal-Mart started with humble roots in 1962 by Sam Walton in the small town of Bentonville, Arkansas. In thirty years, the small local discount retailer has grown into one of the largest retail companies in the United States of America. Today, it is the largest retailer in the world. As the largest retailer, Wal-Mart has gained many detractors. In “The Case for Wal-Mart,” Karen De Coster and Brad Edmonds recognize that people “like to go after greatness” (632). Many believe that Wal-Mart offers low-wage jobs with few benefits, discriminates against women, and, among other problems, fails to give back to the community (631). Contrary to the constant negative attacks, Wal-Mart is proving beneficial to the community. Wal-Mart prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer, so much so that it has the most diverse group of employees imaginable. Most Wal-Mart stores are the anchor that provides a steady flow of consumers to other small businesses in the area. In addition to providing quality jobs for people in and around the store, Wal-Mart brings convenience, lower prices and help to those who need it. The quality jobs that come with a Wal-Mart store provide employment and income to members of the local community. community. A small retailer is most likely a family business offering only a few jobs with little upward growth for those employees. In comparison, a single Wal-Mart store can provide around five hundred jobs. Even though most of the jobs are low-wage jobs, Wal-Mart is not much different from other retailers (De Coster and Edmonds 632). However, these jobs at Wal-Mart come with competitive salaries and benefits comparable to those of other retirees...... middle of paper ...... be purchased at discounted prices, allowing people save money that they can choose to spend elsewhere or even save. While saving its customers time and money, Wal-Mart also contributes to the local economy by creating countless job opportunities in the communities where they operate. Wal-Mart is also here to help local, national and global charities through its philanthropic foundations and partnerships. Aside from these benefits, who can argue with the fun of the store's atmosphere and its diverse employment standards? Nowhere else can you shop and people watch at your local Wal-Mart store. Works cited by De Coster, Karen and Brad Edmonds. “The Case of Wal-Mart.” Models of Academic Writing: A Reader and Rhetorical Guide. 11th ed. Ed. Laurie and Stephen R. Mandell. New York: Bedford, 2010. 631-634. Print.