A full accounting of Wal-Mart's impact using Global Insight's modeling framework finds that Wal-Mart has generated a positive net economic impact on the U.S. economy. By 2004, it is responsible for 210,000 net jobs, a level of total factor productivity (general economic efficiency of the economy) that is 0.75% higher by 2004 than it would have been. Nominal wages are 2.2% lower, but given that consumer prices are 3.1% lower, real disposable income is 0.9% higher than it would have been in a world without Wal-Mart.
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Similar results are provided for the Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington MSA. Due to increased market penetration the consumer cost savings are estimated to have been a cumulative 4.0% by 2004. This impact in conjunction with other direct, indirect, and induced impacts has led to 6,300 more jobs and a 2.6% increase in real disposable income in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.
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