Nothing’s Made in America

By George Anderson

An Industry Week article asks if the ‘Made in America’ label still matters
to consumers.

The piece points out that even Wal-Mart, the poster company of American retailing,
has grown largely as the result of selling goods produced in countries outside
the United States.

Jim Altfeld, a strategic-planning consultant, told Industry Week, “Wal-Mart
sells Chinese goods and tons of it and people buy it because it’s cheap. If
I can get something for $5 less and I have four kids, that’s where I’m going.
With the consumer, it is strictly price, and they’re not going to pay more if
it’s an American-made good. They don’t care.”  

Moderator’s Comment: Does ‘Made in America’ mean anything
to American consumers?

Consumers will tell you it does. Actual purchases suggest
it doesn’t. [George
Anderson – Moderator]

• Bye-Bye
  To ‘Buy American’? – Industry Week