WMT Aug 2024 78.000 call

Why manufacturing domestically is worth higher prices

Walmart (WMT) has partnered with American Giant to roll out a line of American-made t-shirts just in time for the Fourth of July holiday. American Giant founder and CEO Bayard Winthrop joins Market Domination Overtime to discuss the partnership and some of the core principles behind the brand. "It was a real breakthrough moment for our brand, and for textiles more broadly, when you have a partner like Walmart stepping up to a long-term commitment and a volume commitment that allows the supply chain partners to really rethink the way they're thinking about producing apparel in the United States again," Winthrop says. While textiles cost more to produce in the US, he believes the benefits are worth it: "When you make things here, you do it within the constraints of the American system, which includes human rights protections, environmental protections, child labor protections, living wages, things that I think we all as Americans really appreciate." Winthrop stresses the importance of investing in America's manufacturing capabilities and workforce, explaining, "We begin to give good opportunities to those towns, those cities that want to have good, viable, and dignified work. And so that was a real founding mission for our brand." He notes that American Giant fulfills the need of consumers looking for access to good-quality, American-made products at reasonable prices. He adds, "I think the larger brands and retailers have, as a generalized statement, tried to be a part of the solution here. And I think this now points a way forward for them to join the conversation." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Market Domination Overtime. This post was written by Melanie Riehl