Today, Wal-Mart reported annual same-store sales of 2.1 percent - the slowest in the last 27 years.

In response, Paul Blank, Campaign Director for WakeUpWalMart.com issued the following statement:

"It is apparent that Wal-Mart's public image woes have not only contributed to the company's slowest same-store sales in 27 years, but also pose a serious threat to the future success of this company.

Wal-Mart's ‘stubborn refusal to change’ into a better and more responsible employer has not only impeded Wal-Mart's ability to appeal to different demographic consumers, but has fed an explosion of community and political opposition that will not wane.

The bottom line is that Wal-Mart is now at a serious crossroads. Wal-Mart can choose to continue down a path of empty publicity stunts that further alienate the American public and result in sluggish sales growth. Or, Wal-Mart can choose to embrace a new path where the company makes substantive changes and becomes a responsible employer who pays a living wage, provides affordable health care, and protects American jobs. To date, it is obvious to all that are watching that Wal-Mart has chosen the path of publicity stunts.

At a minimum, as we now look to the year ahead, it is clear that our nation's political leaders, especially those who choose to stand with the American people and who care about the future of this nation's economy and security, will increasingly challenge Wal-Mart to change for the better. For Wal-Mart’s sake, and for the betterment of our nation, we hope that Wal-Mart will wake up and realize that what is best for the company is that they finally change into a responsible and moral employer."