Wal-Mart Attacks Critics, Using Newspaper Ads

By: (AP) Wal-Mart has decided that the best defense is a good offense.

The world's biggest retailer says it's fed up with attacks on its labor practices and its effect on competitors. So, it's placing ads in major newspapers to respond to the critics.

Wal-Mart chief executive Lee Scott told USA Today that it's time to draw a line in the sand.

The company kicks off the national campaign today with ads in more than 100 papers. USA Today reports that Scott will also spread his message on TV and radio talk shows.

A four-color, full-page ad appeared on A25 in The New York Times, noting that Wal-Mart "is working for everyone" while some of its critics "are working only for themselves."

Scott told USA Today that he needed to speak up for Wal-Mart's 1.2 million workers.

The attacks have had an effect on Wal-Mart, which has faced lawsuits and resistance in some cities to expansion.