Regular shoppers cite Walmart's low pay and poor treatment of workers as reasons to stay away

Walmart is an enormous, powerful, profitable company. But that doesn't mean that, as its annual shareholder meeting is taking place, it isn't facing some troubling news. For one thing, Walmart faces slowing revenue growth:

A new poll by Lake Research Partners finds some reasons for that. Walmart's reputation is suffering among consumers, with 28 percent saying they have an unfavorable view of Walmart, compared to just 13 percent unfavorable for Target and just six percent unfavorable for Costco. Walmart's low wages and bad treatment of its workers are registering on shoppers; just 27 percent say that "treats its employees well" is a good description of Walmart, while 42 percent say it is not. The numbers are even more skewed when people are asked if "well paid employees" applies to Walmart. And those views of the company are affecting how much people shop at its stores:

• Among Walmart’s most loyal customers, those who shop there weekly, 9% say they have been shopping there less. Among the weekly shoppers, 25% cite poor treatment of workers as a reason why they have been shopping there less.
• Among those who shop at Walmart at least monthly, 21% say they have been shopping there less. Among monthly shoppers, 13% cite poor treatment of workers as a reason why they have been shopping there less, and 13% also cite paying workers too little.

With workers organizing and striking and taking to the media to tell their stories, that awareness of the reality of Walmart jobs is only likely to grow.