Ahh...part of the dream! It would also be nice if they (walmart) were able to find low cost suppliers other than China.

Coyote

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They will. USA-->Japan-->Korea-->Malay...

At one time, this was Sam Walton's idea -- sell ONLY USA made products, but competitors started to eat his lunch and he was not the type of guy who lost at much. While competitors hired and spent tons of cash for consultants to tell them where to put a store, ole Sam just flew around in his small plane and found areas that were under retailed. Sharp guy.

Today, you and everyone one else want their underwear to cost $5. That's it. If you wanted USA shorts, you'd pay an equivilent of ~$16. China is just the latest stop on the cheap consumer goods train. There are cheaper places that are undeveloped. Just wait, IMO, India, North Africa, and beyond are about half the labor rate -- Africa is 10%.

One day, a lot of people will work so you can have those unddies for $5. In the process, a lot of people get pulled up out of poverty like you may not be able to imagine. Of course, with capitalism, comes greed. That's where the "sweat shops" come into play. Not so common in the main consumer goods areas of China today as they have money today. Not so in India, or Vietnam, or other places where those unddies will be made in the near future. It took 25 years for Japan to catch the US in manufacturing pay scales, then Korea took about 15 years, then Malaysia took about 10 years and now China. My guess is China has a longer time to improve as they will become the world's largest consumer market in ~15 years -- but they will no longer be cheap. Next up?

Ok, enough of John's plan for world donimation with $5 shorts. Aren't you glad you asked. lol

John