If the end result is that Wal-Mart's wage and health insurance costs rise to the industry average, the retail giant's sway with suppliers and manufacturers will most definitely keep it pumping out goods with the lowest customer price tags.

FORBES: What, Wal-Mart Worry?

The company has introduced its own debit-card system in some stores and is investigating wireless systems where radio tags placed on products are automatically read when a customer is ready to leave a store.

CNN: House panel explores electronic billing