It wasn’t that long ago, is I shopped carefully at Wal-Mart, I could find quality clothing...jeans, sweatshirts, stuff I live in around the house. I’ve had to replace some of those items, as well as some common household stuff. What used to be quite servicable is now really crap. My the fabric old paint covered sweatshirt is great. Replaced it with one that looked the same, minus the paint. In a couple washings, the fabric is thin, and balling up, out of shape and looks awful. I’m finding this same thing across the board.
I’m thinking there’s a point where places like Wal-Mart won’t be able to find cheap enough merchanise to keep staying in business. I think that’s what happened to the old “5 & dimes.”
I love Wally. They’re a good way to sell certain things efficiently and cheaply.
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.