Posted on 02/16/2010 10:01:48 AM PST by Star Traveler
Published by diamondpoet
December 4, 2009
What is Walmart really up to.
Walmart is one of the biggest supermarket chains in the world. As of August 31, 2008, Walmart has as many as 100 food categories:
United States 4,227 total units.
International 3,210 total units
This is a time where families needs to make every penny count, Walmart expansion of it’s Great Value brand is replacing many of the name brands, we have used for so many years.
The new improved Great Value products — which has been appearing on shelves and various sections of the store, is slowly being integrated into Walmart stores across the country, within the past few months – will provide families with affordable and possible high quality groceries. This is some sales jargon that Walmart has come up with, but what is really going on?
Walmart is the company, that is famous for their roll-back slogan, and now it would seem that they are also trying to monopolize the food industry. I am all for savings, but I prefer quality products and good taste. I grew up with many of the brand names and it is what I am accustomed to.
There are a few thing that I could settle for, that is not name brand, but when I was shopping during the Thanksgiving holiday, I was looking for McCormick’s vanilla, this is the only brand that I use to make my pies. I discovered that Walmart had completely removed McCormick’s brand and replaced it with their own brand Great Value. I rely on McCormick’s products to prepare many of my meals.
I tried using substitutes, but there is no comparison to McCormick’s Seasonings. I have never shopped anywhere other than Walmart, because I was comfortable and they basically provided most of my needs.
It would now see that I am being forces to shop somewhere else. Walmart no longer stock all the brand names that I desire. Since Walmart is trying to completely eliminate the middle-man, what type of effect will this have on many of the distributors and will this also have a spiraling effect on the economy as well?
Since so many distributors rely on Walmart’s business, will they not suffer and be forced to downsize? I can’t help but wonder is this really going to benefits the consumers or hurt us even more?
I try to check everything I buy for source.
Recently, I bought a jar of honey with honeycomb in it at Trader Joe’s. No origin is given so I asked two different employees. I was told if source is not named, it is the U.S. I’m not sure I believe that.
I learned a year or two ago that most of the fresh garlic in the supermarkets comes from China. I haven’t bought it since.
This move is all about Walmart becoming “the brand”.
I prefer they’re Chinese, “Yummy” brand.
Just watch out for the PCBs in the products... :-)
Americans shop for the best value and most chains offer store brands and generic products. Run Wal-mart out of business and watch the economy plummet in many areas. Name brands are not always the best.
Also, there are numerous “name” brands that are not made in the USA.
Another thing that draws many to Wal-mart is it’s a one stop and offers everything from a optical dept, oil change, lawn and garden, pharmacy, banking, deli,bakery and gas station and it is open 24/7.
This move is all about Walmart becoming “the brand”.
Actually, I don't mind Walmart trying to create a "brand" for themselves. That's great.
The big problem here is that if Walmart "creates a brand" (for themselves) by eliminating the corresponding "name-brand" on the shelf, normally next to their "off-brand" Walmart product -- all they will end up doing is driving a certain number of their customers to Walmart's competitors.
That's not what I would call a smart marketing move on the part of Walmart.
Run Wal-mart out of business and watch the economy plummet in many areas.
Well let's hope Walmart doesn't "run itself out of business" then -- by eliminating the name-brand products that a goodly number of Walmart customers want -- and thus -- drive those customers to Walmart's competitors, in search of those name-brand products that Walmart has discontinued on their shelves... :-)
I learned a year or two ago that most of the fresh garlic in the supermarkets comes from China. I haven’t bought it since.
Oh my goodness... I didn't realize that. We might as well start speaking Chinese at the rate this stuff is going... :-)
“Great Value for round eyes”
Next big business opportunity in American ... plastic surgery for squinty eyes...
[ummmm..., I mean Americans getting squinty eyes, so we look like them... LOL...]
It occurred to me to start learning Chinese. Tough language, but interesting. Something different. I have nothing personally against them, just wish they had more quality control on products they export to U.S., among a few other things.
I have nothing personally against them, just wish they had more quality control on products they export to U.S., among a few other things.
Ummmm... they probably say that they'll get more quality control on their products as soon as we get more quality control on our money... LOL...
You are absolutely right.
One summer I worked part time in a major food processing plant (tomato products). I saw as many as four different store brand names come off the same processing line.
Never buy generic sweet pickle relish.
Just d*mn! No more windmill cookies??????
You are right....I have bought it and it is horrible. My mom was a canner and made her own sweet pickle relish. Never had to buy any until she passed away. Hers was the best.
The bad news is there are no distributors on the west coast yet.
Hopefully Archway cookies will be coming to a store near you and me soon.
... and just when all the vampires are coming out of the woodwork!
Coincidence? I think not.
I do buy sweet pickle relish but haven’t ever gotten the generic kind. I’ll remember that and never make that mistake... :-)
Wal-mart still has name brand products on the shelves and nothing wrong with eliminating some of the brands as I stated they are not necessarily the best.
I shop at Wally World for most, but not all, of my groceries. Some of their items are less expensive for the same (brand name) item, but some are not. Buyers need to know the prices at the local markets and spend accordingly.
Some of the "Great Value" products are excellent, some are inferior. If the price differential is great enough I'll try it. If not I stick w/ what I know works. If I can't get exactly what I want there I pick it up with my second stop at a local supermarket chain store.
A few examples:
All of the Perdue chicken at my Walmart (except the fillets) is injected with "chicken broth" (salt water). I would rather not pay ~$2.50 per pound for water, and boost my sodium intake at the same time. I get all of my chicken at a local chain.
The same goes for beef - I have yet to try a piece of beef from Walmart that tasted good. I just don't bother anymore.
The GV oatmeal is as good as the local store brand, and around $1 less expensive. Neither are as good as Quaker, but I don't care if the flattened oat grain is pristine and oval or not. The taste is the same.
The "Malt-o-meal" bags of frosted shreadded wheat are superior, IMO, to the brand name cereal and drastically less expensive.
Nearly all of the brand name cereals at Walmart are $.50 or greater less costly than our local market.
Walmart tracks ALL of this stuff. If you don't get what you want complain to the store, or online. They will either listen and give you what you want or they will not. Then you will either spend your money there or somewhere else. If many people agree with you and start spending too much of their money somewhere else Walmarts grocery sales will drop and they will loose money, etc. etc.
It isn't a particularly complicated formula, folks, and it has worked for a very long time. If Walmart was not good at it they would not be the juggernaut they are. Just shop accordingly.
For the record, I scrupulously avoid the Pepperidge Farm breads baked and painted w/ lead in China.
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