The New York Times, July 29, 2004

To the Editor:

Barbara Ehrenreich (''Wal-Mars Invades Earth,'' column, July 25) suggests that Wal-Mart's growth is somehow other-worldly. It is not. Instead, it is solidly grounded in economic principles understood worldwide.

Wal-Mart has expanded rapidly because lots and lots of people choose to shop there, for the price, quality and convenience that its stores offer. Wal-Mart opens new stores in response to strong customer demand, not alien desire.

Ms. Ehrenreich also takes issue with alleged shortcomings in Wal-Mart's employment practices. She doesn't mention the fact that Wal-Mart has a work force in which 80 percent of department managers are women eligible for profit sharing, bonuses and employer-supported 401(k)'s.

SALLY C. PIPES
San Francisco, July 29, 2004

Sally C. Pipes is president and chief executive of Pacific Research Institute, a free-market policy research group. The institute receives charitable support from the Walton Family Foundation for research on education reform.She can be reached at spipes@pacificresearch.org.