"I know a few hundred people who won't be having a nice Christmas this year because of the great and benevolent Wal-Mart. I'm one of them ... along with the many people I used to employ."
Here are the mistakes you've made and you've obviously paid for them.
1. You failed to establish a strong brand which your firm owned, lock, stock and barrel, complete with the necessary legal protections.
2. You viewed your dealings with Sam's as adversarial; you should have established a team concept with them so that the goal was how can "we" jointly benefit.
The company from which I retired counts Sams as its most important customer. The working relationship is quite good although they do admittedly try to get in our pockets.
A "team concept" with Wal-Mart ... what planet are you from?