Posted on 04/14/2006 11:18:46 AM PDT by Abathar
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has decided to stop selling guns in about a third of its U.S. stores in what it calls a marketing decision based on lack of demand in some places, a company spokeswoman said Friday.
The world's largest retailer decided last month to remove firearms from about 1,000 stores in favor of stocking other sporting goods, in line with a "Store of the Community" strategy for boosting sales by paying closer attention to local differences in demand.
"This decision is based on diminished customer relevancy and demand in these markets," said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Jolanda Stewart.
Stewart declined to specify what stores were affected.
Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Ark., has about 1,200 discount stores and 1,900 Supercenters, which include a full grocery section, in all 50 states. Wal-Mart says it sells rifles and shotguns. In Alaska, it also sells handguns.
"As with all merchandise decisions that we make, our decision to remove guns from Wal-Mart locations is simply based on the lack of customer purchase history of firearms in a given community," Stewart said.
Wal-Mart's experimental new Supercenter for more upscale shoppers, which opened last month in the affluent Dallas suburb of Plano, does not carry guns.
As Wal-Mart seeks growth by moving from rural America into cities and suburbs, it finds it needs to retune its inventory to appeal to more urban consumers.
The Plano store is a testing ground for ideas, from trendier products to more subdued interiors, that are part of a broad effort at Wal-Mart to rekindle sluggish growth by luring more affluent shoppers away from faster-growing rivals such as Target Corp.
Chief Executive Lee Scott has said that in communities like Plano, Wal-Mart's sports department should shift from a traditional emphasis on hunting and fishing to more home fitness and exercise products.
Waht . . . they can't find any made in China to sell?
All 3 of our Wally World's quit guns in my little town.
This is a Good Thing. Your local gun shop is active in the community and in state politics. Wal-Mart will not do that. Gun owners have a moral responsibility to fight to fight for a our natural rights. Supporting your local shop is a much better way to do that than buying guns from Wal-Mart.
I hate Target. For the quality, it's way overpriced.
Now, the Wal Mart closest to me, you can't even get in the parking lot most of the time.
And if you do, be prepared to spend a very long time in line.
Darn! And I was going to buy guns to put in my kids' Easter Baskets this year. *Smirk*
They're only doing it in areas where guns don't sell. That would be where liberals live, 'cuz they're a-skeered of guns. *Double Smirk* It's just a business decision.
It's best to buy locally from your Gun Shop Guy/Gal, versus a pimply-faced stockboy or a blue-haired granny. The Gun Shop owners know what they're selling. :)
No guns at walmart, no cigs at Kmart. I'm about ready to say screw those places and their agendas.
I bought a Marlin 30/30 from `Wally world' last year, price was right but an asst. manager escorted me to the door.
I've gone back to buying from my gun dealer. He doesn't make me feel like I'm buying Tampons. Or something.
Well, ammo is ammo. I was refering to novice gun shoppers that may not know the first thing about guns.
Sorry you have such crappy service at your gun shop. Mine (The Ammo Box) is top notch. :)
My gunshop(Dave's Sports) gives excellent service. I will pay a little more to keep the little guy going. Besides, I can't buy a Barrett .50 cal at wal-mart.
From what the article says they are discontinuing selling firearms in places where the demand doesn't justify doing so.
Walmart is still the least expensive place for me to buy ammo.
They have a corporate policy of not prohibiting concealed carry in their stores in state where concelaed carry is legal, but the law allows them to post signs prohibiting it.
Plus the local Gun Stores are cheaper, better selection and better service. Plus they know what they're selling.
"Waht . . . they can't find any made in China to sell?"
Yeah, don't pay attention to the facts, go with the liberal and union's false talking points.
Last year, Wal-Mart spent $150 BILLION with American suppliers, compared to 18 billion in China. Please, stop spreading union and socialist liberal propoganda.
Aren't Winchesters slated to be made in China now?
IIRC, The Cal A.G. forced Wal-Mart out of the gun biz in Calif. from sloppy record keeping/lax practices
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