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Wal-Mart, Big Box Retailing, And It’s Inevitable Demise
Self | 1-17-2010 | Captain Peter Blood

Posted on 01/17/2010 10:58:08 AM PST by Captain Peter Blood

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To: mewzilla

Shipping costs are important.

In terms of groceries, Walmart and Grocery stores are where people go these days. Food manufacturers do not seem to want to sell online, although they easily could.

I’d buy more food online if the costs were less. I would stock up on food that isn’t available.

A significant part of the cost of food in a supermarket includes cost of delivery of the product from the manufacturer to the supermarket, and all the costs associated with running a supermarket.

But food manufacturers won’t give you a discount off the retail price if you order from their website. They should.


21 posted on 01/17/2010 11:18:18 AM PST by truthfreedom
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To: driftdiver
“not really, they just opened more stores. Walmart failed miserably in South Korea and Germany.”

I have no idea how South Korea and Germany fared with a Walmart. I doubt that you do either if you can take a loon that wrote this article seriously.

Walmart doesn’t hire UNION workers and gives consumers VALUE for LESS money.

“They give you less value for less money in many cases. A pair of pants or a drill at Walmart are not of the same quality as those in many other stores.”

You can buy name brands at Walmart. Perhaps you are not a knowledgeable shopped when it comes to price and quality? Others also don't see it that way since Walmart’s REVENUE is UP and others are DOWN.

“This article is a crock of anti-capitalistic propaganda.”

Really, I thought part of capitalism was analyzing markets and trends and adjusting to them. Where do you see the anti-capitalism?

22 posted on 01/17/2010 11:18:23 AM PST by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: nmh; All

Wal Mart is already adapting.

It is sourcing items more locally (to cut down on long haul shipping costs), opening smaller stores in more areas that are more easily accessible to people without a long drive to get to them, etc.

In addition they are building their stores with more daylighting (as Costco does) to cut back on energy costs and utilizing more so-called ‘green’ features in their new buildings ... to save money, but they are also using that as PR.

Wal Mart has consistently been able to adapt to different conditions rather quickly.

And yes, the fact that they are non-Union means they can adapt to wage fluctuations quicker than Union outfits.


23 posted on 01/17/2010 11:18:58 AM PST by Lorianne
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To: Captain Peter Blood
Joseph Schumpeter the Austrian Economist once said, “Capitalism by its very nature is a wave of destruction”. I took that to mean it is ever changing and evolving and with this country’s great resource of Entrepreneurs we can turn things around. At least that is my hope.

In the darkness with a great bundle of grief
     the people march.
In the night, and overhead a shovel of stars for
     keeps, the people march:

                                     "Where to? what next?"

24 posted on 01/17/2010 11:21:06 AM PST by dr_lew
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To: Captain Peter Blood

Hate to break it to you but big box retailers survived the Great Depression of the 30’s and will survive this current nightmare unless the entire economy collapses.

You better hope they do.

Unless you want to learn how to sew...and make all your own clothes.


25 posted on 01/17/2010 11:21:09 AM PST by Freedom'sWorthIt (Ronald Reagan: If we ever forget that we're one nation under God,then we'll be a nation gone under.")
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To: WestwardHo

For many products Wally World dictates the price to the manufacturers. They also don’t pay for the product until its sold to the consumer. All of this eats into the profit margin of the producer.

The producers only choice is to make the items cheaper. This means cutting all areas that contribute to the production cost of an item. Clothes are made with cheaper fabrics. Bikes are make with lower quality metal.

I know people that have gone into Wally World to negotiate pricing. Wally World has no respect for anyone and operates as a monopoly. They provide lawn chairs for people to sit on. They will quite literally make grown men cry with their tactics.


26 posted on 01/17/2010 11:21:51 AM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: truthfreedom
And since we're on the subject of Wally, note to the folks there: I've got an idea: How about a chain of Wally Jrs, small convenience type Wallys that would cater to seniors and other folks looking for a smaller store to get in, grab, and go. Prices could be slightly higher, but wouldn't have to be much more expensive because of Wally's ability to keep costs down. Might be a growth opportunity there. I can't tell you folks I know avoid going into big boxes because of their size, shelf height, stuff like that.

How about it Walmart? Do Wally Jrs sound like an idea that might fly?

27 posted on 01/17/2010 11:23:23 AM PST by mewzilla (Vote fraud is treason.)
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To: driftdiver
“No limit? Hey I have a bridge to sell you since you live in fantasy land.”

Trying to ridicule me, doesn't give you credibility. A good business has unlimited growth. To make that happen means they ADJUST to the market place as changes in the market place occur.

No there is no “saturation”. Clearly this individual has NO IDEA the market research that goes into where to build a store.

“Clearly you are in love with Walmart.”

Clearly you don't know me. I support capitalism and you don't. You are probably one of the Walmart haters for NOT hiring union people and wanting others to pay MORE for goods and services. Walmart is the typical punching bag of the LEFT and you fit right in with their attacking a very SUCCESSFUL CAPITALISTIC run company . Walmart is wuite the business success story.

“Clearly this blog ow whatever he is has NO CLUE on what Walmart is up to as it INCREASES and SURGES AHEAD of other retailers.”

"In the South East it has lost market share in the grocery business to Publix Supermarkets." Publix wouldn't go over well up north. They are dirty and don't have a wide selection. Walmart is cleaner, better prices and a larger selection. Not all Walmarts have a grocery business - it depends on the area it is in. Walmart is not big in the south it never has been big in the south so no market share was lost due to a lack pf presence to really speak of.

28 posted on 01/17/2010 11:24:55 AM PST by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: mewzilla

We do most of our shopping at Wal-Mart, and thankful for them, but there is a definite decline in quality and choices over time. Declining dollar, faultering economy, and the availability of “quality” cheap stuff, takes it’s toll.


29 posted on 01/17/2010 11:25:26 AM PST by WestwardHo (Whom the god would destroy, they first drive mad.)
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To: nmh

“I have no idea how South Korea and Germany fared with a Walmart. I doubt that you do either if you can take a loon that wrote this article seriously.”

Do a search. Walmart closed all their stores in both countries. They were unable to make a profit. I’ve been in the stores of the South Korean company that forced Wally out. Tons of customer service, cheap, clean and a pleasure to be in.

“Walmart doesn’t hire UNION workers and gives consumers VALUE for LESS money.”

Lack of unions is not the only factor. They give consumers less value for less money. Less customer service and lower quality products.

“You can buy name brands at Walmart.”

Sure you can. If you cannot tell the difference in quality then you are their ideal customer. You’ll buy the same item more often which will end up costing you more money.

Again, Where do you see “the anti-capitalism” in this article?


30 posted on 01/17/2010 11:26:46 AM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: driftdiver
The producers only choice is to make the items cheaper.

With respect, that's not the only choice. The producer can try to sell the item elsewhere. For example, I will never buy clothes at Wally. A) They don't stall tall in ladies. B) I don't like their styles. So I'll pay more and buy my clothes elsewhere. If producers can't compete, don't blame Wally. That'd be like blaming Ford the the demise of the buggy industry.

31 posted on 01/17/2010 11:27:23 AM PST by mewzilla (Vote fraud is treason.)
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To: Freedom'sWorthIt

“Hate to break it to you but big box retailers survived the Great Depression of the 30’s”

Really, and who would they be?


32 posted on 01/17/2010 11:27:29 AM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Freedom'sWorthIt
Hate to break it to you but big box retailers survived the Great Depression of the 30’s and will survive this current nightmare unless the entire economy collapses.

You better hope they do.

Unless you want to learn how to sew...and make all your own clothes.


Some people just can't help themselves.

They will go to great lengths to fabricate reasons to HATE a successful capitalistic company like Walmart.

ALL LIBERALS HATE CAPITALISTIC companies like Walmart. This author is another one of them that also lacks common sense, logic and has no clue on what Walmart is doing to maintain their competitive edge. The author of this article is extremely ignorant, biased and with an agenda fueled by wishful thinking.

33 posted on 01/17/2010 11:28:17 AM PST by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: mewzilla
stall...stock.

Note to Wally: But if you decide to carry tall ladies fashions, I'll take a look :)

34 posted on 01/17/2010 11:28:28 AM PST by mewzilla (Vote fraud is treason.)
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To: driftdiver
“Where do you see “the anti-capitalism” in this article?”

Maybe you need a refresher course in logic, inferences and implications? I am unwilling to be your teacher. You are old enough to seek out resources to correct this comprehension problem - along with distinguishing between fact, opinion and bias.

35 posted on 01/17/2010 11:30:58 AM PST by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: Captain Peter Blood

Few things last forever. I do not know what will cause the downfall of the big box stores, but they will eventually fail.

Sam Walton went against the trend when he began Wal-Mart. Somewhere out there is another Sam Walton with a great idea. That new idea will push the big box stores aside.


36 posted on 01/17/2010 11:31:05 AM PST by CIB-173RDABN
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To: Captain Peter Blood

There’s a big difference between saturation and failure. Wal-Mart may not build as many new stores, but the chain isn’t going anywhere.


37 posted on 01/17/2010 11:31:48 AM PST by ozzymandus
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To: nmh

“A good business has unlimited growth”

nonsense, every business has a limit. That you continue to make that claim proves you don’t know what you are talking about and are full of hyperbole.

“I support capitalism and you don’t.”

No, I don’t support blindly following a massive corporation who eats people up and spits them out. Clearly you cannot think for yourself and swallow the marketing Walmart puts out.

“Publix wouldn’t go over well up north. They are dirty and don’t have a wide selection.”

LOL you’re funny, it’s obvious you’ve never been in a Publix store. Walmarts are like dollar stores, cheap and dirty. Publix actually has customer service and cleans their stores.


38 posted on 01/17/2010 11:32:10 AM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: mewzilla; driftdiver
That'd be like blaming Ford the the demise of the buggy industry.

Don't get me wrong. You can do it, but would you prefer to be driving around in a horse and buggy? If the answer's no, seems to me that dissing big boxes for selling folks what they want is a waste of breath :)

39 posted on 01/17/2010 11:32:46 AM PST by mewzilla (Vote fraud is treason.)
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To: nmh

Not for me!

The last two items I bought at WM were “made in China” and didn’t work for sh*t.

I have a bathroom sink now falling apart and I blame me for not checking the “where made” info.

If they keep selling crap they will end up like Obama....gone AND forgotten!


40 posted on 01/17/2010 11:33:18 AM PST by JimVT (Oh, the days of the Kerry dancing, Oh, the ring of the piper's tune)
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