[LongWayHome]

I like Walmart. I hope they succeed. As you remember, Walmart was in a perfect position 15-20 years ago to be Amazon. They are far behind the future which is online, not physical stores, but you make good points about what they offer, but I don’t think the public thinks Walmart when they think online shopping these days.

[marajade]

I like how I can preorder a blu ray disc at 40% msrp at amazon and get it at my doorstep first day of release for no delivery fee.

[hanamizu]

As you remember, Walmart was in a perfect position 15-20 years ago to be Amazon.

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Yes, they were. But 15-20 years ago they were solidly in #1, so they weren’t under pressure to change their business model. Amazon was a lean and hungry bookstore that took a chance and did/is doing very well. When they bought Whole Foods, I think that Walmart realized that they could and should strike back, since Walmart was starting to intrude on their turf.

In any case Walmart is responding in a way that Sears (bless their heart) couldn’t/wouldn’t.

[antidisestablishment]

Actually, the company that could have been Amazon was Fingerhut. They were 100% catalog sales (cheap stuff mainly) and had a huge logistical footprint. Based in the Midwest, they had everything they needed except the foresight to move online.

I think they’re still around, but lost the market like so many other large businesses. Xerox, IBM and Kodack all gave away the store because they couldn’t get past their self image. Out of all of the retailers, I hate to see Sears go under, but they’ve been trying to commit suicide for decades. Walmart is no better than Amazon in practice or politics. A pox on both houses as far as I’m concerned.