The Story Behind Walmart’s Bare Shelves

American Interest ^

[Perdogg]

Walmart is starting to look like a Soviet-era retailer. The prices are still low, but shelves are going empty for months while products sit unwrapped in storage, lines are interminable, and no one is around to help.

Bloomberg reports that in-store service problems for the world’s third-largest corporation are so bad that people are willing to pony up the extra cash to shop at stores like Target and Walgreens. Walmart’s problem, says MIT retail researcher Zeynep Ton, is a shortage of cheap labor:

[blam]

"I don’t see widespread bare shelves here (Western PA), but I’m finding that a lot of the items I go to Walmart for are out of stock when I visit."

All the time here in Alabama. (Tillman's Corner Wal-Mart)

I often complain that my 'Wal-Mart list' is consistently 20% unfilled everytime I go there.

[circlecity]

"My guess would be because there are still a handful of misguided individuals with a modicum of self-respect."

And it appears that's all Wal-Mart can find to work for them - a handful of individuals. Thus proving my point.

[McGruff]

No problems at my local Walmart.

One good reason to shop at Walmart.

Wal-Mart pledges to hire 100,000 veterans

Another is my brother-in-law's big union is demonizing Walmart.

Plus it's hard to beat their prices.

[Don Corleone]

Must be up in Blue states. I don’t see any bare shelves here in Georgia.

Tucson Az. is OK too.

[GrootheWanderer]

I’ve never seen any empty shelves, but I live in Northwest Georgia, and they are often out of basic grocery staples. Generally, the stores here have only a couple of registers working, and finding any help in in the various departments is basically impossible.

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

I can confirm this for the store on Monterey Road in SJ...

[ridesthemiles]

I use MSM as a joint supplement.

I tried to buy a new supply on Jan 23 this ydear at the Wal Mart I shop at.

Both spaces on the shelf were out-——

Tried again on Feb 27...still empty.

Talked to employee who works in that area. She said ‘product was ordered’ and was due to arrive on March 2.

I was there on March 28—yesterday, and still empty.

I went to Walgreen’s-—and they don’t even carry it at all, except blended with other joint products.

I have been having problems with simple other products I use at the same store—including 3x5 cards....NONE and not even space on the shelf.

New manager is driving employees nuts—their hands are tied.

[rwfromkansas]

Uh, I never wanted to work at Walmart. I mean shop there. Yikes.

[wbill]

Ditto that. Only bare shelves I’m seeing are in the ammo section of the store.

[circlecity]

"Perhaps if businesses didn’t pay such abysmal wages that living off of welfare was an actual viable alternative... No, that just makes too much sense. The invisible hand of the free market will fix it. Right?"

Did you even read the article? Given all the government mandates and costs involved with hiring an employee, apart from wages, employers can't afford a higher wage. Business are in business to make a profit. Government intrusion has eliminated invisible hand economics from the equation.

[Pan_Yan]

Welcome to Free Republic.

You smell funny.

[wbill]

Target costs a little more

I've not done my homework for a few months, but a couple of years ago...with 2 kids in diapers....I could tell you to the penny what the heavy hitters in our budget cost.

Believe it or not - by hitting their sales, and with "doubling up" by using both manufacturers AND store coupons (they allow it) - Target was consistently cheaper.

Their new "Target Visa" program knocks another 5% off the cost.

Walmart, Sam's, Costco all had *decent* prices. If I was out of something and didn't have the time/opportunity to coupon or wait for sales, then any of those three were my 2nd choices. But, for my shopping needs, Target consistently was cheaper.

My $0.02. YMMV.

[rwfromkansas]

Interesting.

[NEPA]

Now if I could just convince the moles ripping up my yard that it's not spring yet

Get rid of whatever the moles are eating, most likely grubs. Use something like Grubex or Bayer grub killer.

[going hot]

Just for amusement, or discussion, what do you think is a fair or Living wage?

[Dead Corpse]

The only bare shelves at our closest Wal-mart are at the ammo counter...

:-(

[ladyjane]

Searched your wife?

I made the mistake once of going to a Walmart after working out. I was wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt. LOL. Apparently shoplifters wear sweats. I didn’t get a TSA search but I did get A LOT of scrutiny, at the register and leaving the store.

[wbill]

While I'm standing up on my soapbox.... What I think is interesting is that Target's "regular price" is the "sale price" (to the penny) for the same items at my grocery store. Their selection isn't as good (Say, 2 kinds of "Cheerios" instead of a dozen varieties...), but what do I care so long as they have the one I want?

I'm getting to the point where I only hit the grocery store for loss leaders, fresh meat, and produce.

I've pestered you enough. Good luck.

[razorback-bert]

A couple of years ago, I talked with a Walmart manager about his staffing problems. His answer was too many fail the drug test