We Uncovered the Scheme Keeping Grocery Prices High (More Perfect Union)

[QueerDuck]

Feb 10, 2026
Walmart found a creative, illegal way to make sure they have the lowest prices.

They're forcing companies to raise prices on any competitor who dares to sell items at a lower price than Walmart.

They're using their size and reach to squeeze out stores across America.

Videographer
Jaxon Thorson
Justin Feltman
Jack Davis
Sam Caswell

GFX - Joseph Howard
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More Perfect Union is an Emmy-winning, nonprofit newsroom whose mission is to build power for working people. Here’s what that means: We report on the real struggles and challenges of the working class from a working-class perspective. We attempt to connect those problems to potential solutions. We report on the abuses and wrongdoing of corporate power. And we seek to hold accountable the ultra-rich who have too much power over America’s political and economic systems.

[Cheezoholic]

1. I remember a documentary from 10 or 20 years ago about a small toothbrush company in TN

The owner of the factory wanted to sell Walmart his toothbrushes but they said they were too expensive even though they were retailing at other stores at or below other brands because of an efficient proprietary machinery process. However they liked the product so they offered him a deal. They would set him up with a factory in China, including his proprietary machinery (he had designed a more efficient way to do the bristles or something) and even GIVE him a years worth of operating cash in return for him only letting Walmart sell them and sell them at an even lower retail price than they were currently going for. That would've meant firing some 200 people. The factory was located in a small TN town and was the biggest sole employer there. It would've wrecked their economy but he would've made out like a bandit. He refused and sued Walmart for trying to strong arm him, His entire business was tied to this small community and he wasn't going to do that to them.

The documentary then went on to investigate this further and found Walmart was doing this with everything. Taking small factories and bribing/paying them to move to Walmart financed "factory farms" in China where labor was pennies on the dollar. no EPA to deal with etc. which in turn increased Walmarts margins by up to a 100%. Walmart and other insanely huge monopolies are nothing more than mobsters making deals with each other to cover "street corners" in our giant economy and using mob tactics to muscle out the little guy.