Wal-Mart used to advertise heavily that they sold "Made in USA" goods whenever possible ~ and they did. You don't hear that any more; perhaps since the founder died?

Avoiding Wal-Mart will not give you any more or less chance of buying stuff made overseas, in whole or in part, by cheap labor. That's what's on the market everywhere.

I used to go to the local Wal-Mart quite often, but less so now. It is still my main source for underwear, socks, stationery, peat moss, cypress mulch, and bedding plants. Since we finally got a Target store in our area, the missus patronizes Wal-Mart much less often than before. We usually make a run to Sam's (Wal-Mart affiliate) about once a month for a few things we buy in bulk.

The new Wal-Mart "superstores" (which now include groceries) are clean and bright and spacious; the older stores are a bit more cramped and sometimes dingy.

To my mind, the worst thing about the giant chainstores is the impact upon small local businesses ("Mom and Pop" stores). I think it's stupid to single out WM, though ~ even for those of us who disagree with how the corporation distributes its politcal contributions. As has been mentioned, the impact of Home Depot and Lowe's upon local hardware merchants is probably worse; your neighborhood hardware guy has usually been the source of some real expertise that will be missed when he's gone.