Final answer:
Products at Walmart are displayed as a result of a push system, where items are stocked anticipating consumer needs. Outsourcing and offshoring relate to shifting production overseas to reduce costs, while consumerism reflects changes in buying patterns and the evolution of retail models like department stores.
Step-by-step explanation:
The products displayed on shelves at Walmart is an example of a push system. This system involves manufacturers producing goods and pushing them through the supply chain to retail stores like Walmart, where they are made available to consumers. It contrasts with a pull system, where production is driven by consumer demand. In the case of Walmart, they stock products with anticipation of consumer needs, rather than waiting for consumers to request the products before stocking them.
In connection with broader economic trends, the relocation of manufacturing jobs, such as clothing production, from the United States to China is an example of outsourcing and offshoring. This practice is driven by companies seeking to reduce costs by taking advantage of lower wages and different economic conditions in other countries.
The shift from family-run shops to department stores mirrors a transition to modern buying habits with a wide variety of goods, fixed prices, and increased standardization, which is a reflection of changing patterns in consumerism.