Wal-Mart Walk-Through

The Chinese government says that if Wal-Mart were a country it would be China's sixth largest export market. At $18 billion in purchases of made-in-China goods, that puts Wal-Mart just behind Germany in the pecking order. When indirect purchases from third-party vendors are included, I suspect the real number is much greater. To that effect I did a Wal-Mart walk-through today.

My criteria were simple: no foods, no cosmetics, no consumables like detergents, mouthwash, paint, toilet paper, etc. In other words, things that you use more than once such as electronics, housewares, tools, clothing, home furnishings, and the like.

Of the 20 items I selected at random, 15 were made in China, 3 in Thailand, 1 in Indonesia and 1 in the United States. Roughly half of these items bore brands we associate with American companies, such as Black and Decker, Hewlett-Packard and the like.

The single item made in the United States? A device used for auto maintenance. Looked like something made in China.