Supermarkets slam Wal-Mart--Lower labor costs at heart of strikes by grocery workers

AP via Deseretnews ^ | October 21, 2003 | Gavin McCormick

[Cronos]

WE go to Wally for lower priced goods from these manufacturers. Wally forces them to have lower prices -- it's their USP. To get cheaper stuff they have to source the production in China.

[grania]

Years ago, when WalMart was establishing its supremacy, it advertised "Made in America". Remember that? Well, it turned out to be bogus, that, in many cases the only thing made in America was the label that said made in America.

After that, with their market share, they just kind of forgot that, and only roll it out occassionally when they need to boost share.

That being said, I have to say that the WalMart merchandise seems to have improved. I just got a desk lamp, clock radio, and exercise outfit there. The quality is as good as specialty stores, and the selection was better.

[hgro]

Spineless management and corrupt labor unions sink any enterprise.

[Rebelbase]

"My prediction is that Wal-mart is slowly becoming a victim of its own success and will not be the force we think it to be in five to ten years. "

Walmart will always have a market in those who are tightwads or enjoy the spectacle of shopping in such a behemoth of a store....And it is a culture unto itself.

[suzyq5558]

You wouldnt catch me in a Kmart.
what a sleazy joint. the one and only time i was in one i did get the creeps.

[hchutch]

Surpise, surprise...

Making some mental notes as well. I usually do a lot of my shopping at various places, although I like being able to get a bunch of stuff at Wal-Mart (usually when I have to pick up a wide variety of items) - I also hit a BJ's Warehouse as well (I can really stock up on chocolate there at a MUCH cheaper price).

It seems as if people want high wages, and then when they find they have priced themselves out of the market, they want someone ot MAKE people pay high prices so they can keep their standard of living.

[Poohbah]

I shop for food at Costco and Food4Less.

[jpsb]

To get those cheaper prices:

Wal-mart pays employees low (very low) wages.
Wal-mart forces it's suppliers to pay low (very low) scale wages.
Wal-mart suppliers move thier manurfacturing to low wage countries. So that they can beat the price of American (high wage) made goods.

Now the end result of the Wal-marting of the USA is that just about everyone has a low wage job and barely afford food and a roof. Just like the rest of the third world. So yea, keep shopping at wal-mart and keep sending those green backs to the chicoms. The PLA is putting them to good use.

Whoever said a capitalist will sell you the rope to hang him with was right.

[Wright is right!]

"Years ago, when WalMart was establishing its supremacy, it advertised "Made in America". Remember that? Well, it turned out to be bogus, that, in many cases the only thing made in America was the label that said made in America."

Back in the "Made In America" phase, most of the brand names carried by SamWal DID make their products in the USA. I still fail to see how it's Wally's fault that these companies have moved their assembly off-shore.

Michael

[Xenalyte]

As long as the Wal-Mart stores in Houston stay filthy, loud and crowded, our local grocery stores don't have to worry about keeping MY business. Wal-Mart has disgusted me ever since my college roommate quit (rather than being fired) over being forced to accept a return of used unmentionables.

That amazingly unhygienic practice alone turned me off Wal-Mart for life.

Add to that the chain's surprising disregard for basic cleanliness - like mopping the floors regularly and cleaning the restrooms - and you have a satisfied Kroger shopper.

[Xenalyte]

When people pay $3.29/gallon for milk at Albertson's, they remember that the next time they're in Wal-mart and see it's $2.50 there.

True, but I'd rather pay more for milk that I can drink two weeks from now, as opposed to milk that expires before the weekend. Save money, lose time on the other end of drinkability.

[Xenalyte]

Do you have a source that these restaurants add preservatives to their food?

Chain restaurants, as this ex-Bennigan's waitress will tell you, get much of their signature food trucked in. Bennigan's Broccoli Bites, for example, are brought into each store by the huge bag - they aren't made on the premises. Each item you don't make that day has to be preserved.

The local store itself doesn't add preservatives to your food. It's done before packaging.

[grania]

I still fail to see how it's Wally's fault that these companies have moved their assembly off-shore.

They were, and still are, in a position to simply look for other manufacturers who employ US citizens.

At least with WalMart, I don't get the feeling I do in other stores that the stuff is being manufactured cheaply out of the country, but the middleman is pocketing huge profits or the money is going to celebrity advertising.

And, I do like those ads where they feature employees and their families. I would really, really, like it if there were more "made in the USA" merchandise there.

And, I'm not going to trash WalMart as an employer. I've seen them do a good job with students who opted to the workforce instead of college. Some got good full time jobs, benefits, 401Ks with information, and help with education, plus quick advancement.

I just really don't like buying unpackaged clothing and unpackaged food at the same store.

[Xenalyte]

And if it's such a bad place to work, then the ex-assistant manager at the local Winn Dixie has lost her mind. She's smiling from ear-to-ear everytime I hit the new Wal-Mart.

Here's a hint . . . she's a manager. Ask HG about the differences in treatment accorded a manager and an associate.

[ChemistCat]

Ugh, two week old milk. :-)

With three kids, we never have milk more than a couple of days old around here.

I will however reach for the back where the freshest milk is when I'm buying. I'm spoiled.

[CDHart]

"I just hope nobody is expecting Wal-mart to STAY the cheapest when it's the only store left in town."

They won't. Here in rural Missouri, Wal-Mart comes into a town, undercuts the other businesses until they go under and then raises their prices. Also, Wal-Mart doesn't have a good reputation as an employer either. The only reason we still have two grocery stores in our small town is that our Wal-Mart isn't a Supercenter and doesn't sell groceries (yet).

Carolyn

[Xenalyte]

The milk at the back is not just fresher, but colder . . . that's where the freezer is!

[ambrose]

I've had NetFlix for over two years now. Wal-Mart has been recently trying to muscle in on the online DVD rental biz, but I have my doubts as to whether they can succeed this time.

[adam_az]

My freudian slip is showing... good thing it's washed! ;)

[Clemenza]

That's the downside of living in rural America. Before Wal-Mart, however, most older rural folks I talk to tell me that they had the choice of Sears vs. Montgomery Ward, all by catalog.