Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, spent $1.43 million lobbying in the second quarter on a wide range of issues from organized crime to food safety and as well as childhood hunger issues, according to a recent disclosure report.
That's below the $1.93 million spent in the first quarter of 2010 and below the $2.03 million spent in the second quarter of 2010.
The retailer, based in Bentonville, Ark., also lobbied on trade bills involving Panama/Columbia Free Trade Agreement, as well as legislation on preserving access to affordable generics. Wal-Mart also focused from April through June on legislation involving improved nutrition for children, nutrition labeling, job creation and investment and clean energy, according to the form it filed July 19 with the House clerk's office.
The lobbying report showed the company's emphasis on hunger initiatives. Wal-Mart's main customers have been the hardest hit by the economic downturn, and executives have said that they have seen a rise in the use of government food stamps and signs that shoppers are having a hard time stretching their dollars to the next payday. Twenty percent of its customers don't have full access to bank services.
