Posted on 03/19/2010 8:16:19 PM PDT by STARWISE
Wal-Mart Stores Inc will cut food prices and mount a new ad campaign over the next six weeks, a threat to other U.S. grocers that sent an industry shares index down more than 2 percent on Friday.
A Morgan Stanley analyst first reported the world's largest retailer's plan, calling it a major setback for other U.S. grocers, and the company confirmed the promotions in an email.
"While this helps address Walmart's traffic woes, we view this as a major setback for the grocery stocks, which have been rallying on hopes of a return to more rational pricing," Morgan Stanley analyst Mark Wiltamuth wrote in a note on Friday.
The Standard & Poor's Food Retail Sub-Industry Index closed down 2.2 percent.
Walmart has used aggressive pricing in grocery and other units to bring shoppers into its stores. The grocery business is particularly pressured by such pricing, as its profit margins are already low.
Investors in Walmart have been concerned about signs that shoppers who gravitated to its stores during the worst of the recession -- boosting sales and profits -- are returning to rivals. Traffic fell in Walmart's U.S. stores during its fourth quarter, despite the holiday season, when shopping is at its peak.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
It looks like we’re from the same area. I usually get groceries at HEB as they are really giving WM good competition, and it’s more convenient for me. Sam’s is better for paper products and pet stuff. Meat is also good at Sam’s. I know there is a Costco over on 183, but I don’t get over that way very often.
south on that main road,,,Hwy.1,,,
Lotta VC there but you can infiltrate from the west side
of the road if your quiet and careful,,,
Sneak rite in "Charlie's" back door if ya' got the balls,,, So I was told...;0)
I used to shop at Walmart for my groceries quite a bit, but in the last year or so, I almost always go to Kroger. I find Kroger offer a much larger selection, great sales, and their prices are actually better in the long run. Walmart is turning into the local mini- mart with the reduction of food products offered for sale. Also, I did not find name brand products there as I did before, as it seems like Walmart has gone the way of only stocking store brands for some items.
I don't know if it matters to you or not, but Sara Lee is a Pro gun-control company. I refuse to buy their products because of that.
Thanks for letting me know, yes it matters to me. I don’t seek out their products, but I will be sure not to buy them anymore.
I just started shopping at Costco. I’ve been avoiding the “supersized shopping” stores but finally gave in. WoW! Now...how to fit a package of 7500 rolls of toilet paper into my minivan! lol No seriously...it’s fun.
<Wal-Mart is generally lower on canned and boxed foods. For meat and produce they feature mediocre quality and high prices.
I thought it was just me! My son likes to buy his stuff at WalMart, swearing that the prices are a lot lower than the 2 local stores I frequent. When I’ve tagged along, I’ve thought the produce was more expensive than the local stores and the selection was OK, but not great.
WM seems OK for boxes and cans, but personally, I wouldn’t do all my shopping there. We’re getting a new Super WalMart near us, but I would still probably do most of my shopping in the local store where there are a number of items from the local Amish and there is locally raised meat for those who like that kind of thing - you just aren’t going to get that at WalMart.
I didn’t know about the Costco, thanks for the info. I’ll have to check them out, I’ve heard good things about them.
WalMart Supercenter in Eastlake Chula Vista. It’s nice. Huge store, never super crowded.
Costco has some great stuff... if you can stomach shopping/supporting a leftist organization!
That's what angers me about what they do in my area. We have two major national canneries in my area Bush Brothers and Stokley. Both were started locally. The crops are largely grown locally. Walmart pulled a lot of their products off the shelf and put only Great Value brand as the choice.
First Walmart was Made In USA {as much as possible} then after their mostly made in China policy took place they IIRC had a food purchased locally motto. That too fell aside it seems. I trust Bush or Stokley products. I do not trust Great Value due to Walmart's China or other as bad a nation trade preferences.
Yes but the HEB on I10 is party central on wknds. Now that is shopping.
Frankly I find shopping at Kroger is the most cost effect way to go.
I am a careful shopper. BUT HEB has the best meat.
I’m an Orange addict. Thanks for the heads up.
You know it seems that as you said years ago diesel fuel was very cheap. Then everyone thought oh those MB drivers and a few others are getting cheap gas.
so in a move to yet again punish the “rich”, they missed their target and hit the truckers.
Frankly I am soo tired of all the “class warfare” and “do-gooder” messing with our economy. NOTHING good has ever come from their busibody butinsky dealings.
Prices are better, at least on fresh items, and Walmart doesn't give the employee discount on groceries.
Are they cheaper than Walmart?
Better than counting on the government, right?
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