Posted on 05/20/2015 9:20:46 AM PDT by Vigilanteman
If Wal-Mart, the world’s largest bricks-and-mortar retailer, is serious about competing more directly with Amazon - as it has suggested by testing a free shipping club - then it may have to spend well beyond a previously announced investment target on big distribution centers and other costs for its plan.
Wal-Mart’s sluggish quarterly results that were released on Tuesday highlighted the importance of growing its online business.
Online revenues grew 17 percent globally in the first quarter ended April 30, against a slight drop in overall sales. However, investments in e-commerce shaved 2 cents off the retailer’s earnings per share, equal to the cost impact in the quarter of its move to raise wages for entry level workers across the U.S.
Because of the high growth rates, most analysts see merit in investing aggressively in e-commerce. But as Wal-Mart prepares to test a free shipping program aimed at undercutting Amazon on price, the prospect of competing with a rival that spends heavily on investments has raised some concerns.
(Excerpt) Read more at supplychain247.com ...
I don't see how to overcome (a), but if I could avoid (b), (c) and (d), I might be inclined to visit Walmart more than once in a blue moon.
Have you tried shoplifting? That way you can avoid “d”.
I try to send the wife to Walmart if we must go there. It literally ruins my day just stepping into the place.
So everyday, is a worse case scenario in your life?
Which Walmart competitors are like the 7-11?
Order on line and pick it up without shopping.
If there is a large # illegals in the on call line sending $’s home to become pesos, take a video and send it Walmart and tell them to get their act together.
After you do that once, just taking your phone out of your pocket will open a line just handle pickups.
Also, if your microwave, TV or other appliances break down. Go on line and see there is an special on line versus the store price. We have saved a lot of money that way. Post the recent earthquake, friends saved money on TVs and kitchen appliances.
The value of Amazon is not JUST prices, it’s the full set of services that come with Amazon (admission: I pay for Amazon Prime), AND the fact that Amazon stands as storefront for a plethora of other, smaller specialty vendors.
Wally World wants to offer a selection of its’ general stock online. Amazon pretty much sells any and all legal merchandise on the planet. . .
when I have purchased on line, I went to the back of the store where the clerk went to the storage area and brought the stuff to the counter where I paid and then left.
Also, to avoid the lines self checkout is available and quick
The closest 7/11 has longer lines than our Walmart.
Their druggy customers need their snacks and sugar loads, and they are not friendly in the store or the parking lot or driving in and out of the small parking lot.
Agree with you on all points and will include that I rarely fail to see some odd characters also.
Self checkout is all good... until you scan a 6-pack of beer and it takes 20 minutes for someone to come verify your age. Never again.
Times and things have changed and that paradigm has now become. to many. a "pain in the a$$."
The only thing that's permanent is "CHANGE."
Some day, and probably sooner rather than later, you will hear someone say.. "Remember when Facebook and Twitter were the big deal"...
Yes, I second all of that.
As someone who hails (originally) from the land of Walmart and Tyson, I can attest to the fact that in Arkansas, specifically the northwest corner, Walmart stores are well-kept and managed efficiently compared to the rest of the country.
I’ve never been a Walmart hater, but having moved to Texas and witnessed the unkempt, poorly managed, always-out-of-everything stores here and elsewhere? I avoid Walmart like the plague. They need to compete with HEB and Randall’s/Tom Thumb/chain groceries that have a more comfortable, almost hometown feel. Forget Amazon, in terms of e-commerce Walmart needs to pick on someone their own size.
The electronics checkout looked like another long wait in line, so I thought I'd try the checkout in the front of the store along with a few grocery items.
Never again!
I used to visit a WallyLand in Las Vegas, once every three weeks for the same 10 items.
They would be out of stock on 4 of the 10, each visit. I always had to substitute. Plus, when finding items in stock, I would always over purchase since I could not count on it being there next time.
So it was feast or famine availability.
This is the logistics colossus changing the world?
I don’t think so.
Amazon and Costco wins.
Not an Amazon Prime member, but the few times I have ordered from Amazon where Amazon is the fulfillment source, the deliveries have taken 3 to 6 WEEKS.
Orders that have gone to various Amazon sellers for fulfillment have been delivered within a reasonable time — usually a week or less.
What a joke. Walmart can’t keep their shelves stocked, install a zillion check out counters at the front of their stores, yet keep 90% of them closed all of the time.
Walmart has to be the worst run big box store in the US, and now they want to compete against the best run internet retailer in the world.
Hey Walmart, get your own act together before you move against Amazon.
Which is why I switched to Target. Penny wise and pound foolish.
Same thing with the supermarket where my wife works. It's a big chain that is bought and sold every 2-3 years. The new regime decides to use thinner plastic bags and cut hours. I have news for these guys. There is an optimum level of service. It is possible to fall below it.
There is also the concept of looking at your retail workers as assets, rather than liabilities. They may know more than corporate about regional preferences. Giving the front-end workers a stake in the company can boost sales/sq. ft. by as much as 50%. See Trader Joes and Costco.
There's a certain demographic that shall remain nameless that has already found the solution to (a) - park in a space reserved for the handicapped.
Now I know what you're thinking. You're not handicapped. Well, neither are they. They know the store won't call the police to report them. But I do - I'll whip out my cell phone, take a photo of the car including the license plate, and call the non-emergency police number. And I'll stand right there doing it, loud enough so everyone around me can hear I'm reporting the car to police.
Sometimes, there's even someone sitting in the driver's seat. That's always fun. If I see them start their car, or open their door, I lift my shirt that's hiding my pistol, and tuck it between me and the gun, leaving it in the holster, and tell them, "Do not approach! I have the police on the line."
Walmart.com is the most user-unfriendly site I use. Can’t pass up the savings, and free home delivery with $50 purchase. It may even be $35. I forget.
Walmart’s got problems for sure.
Bad guys and girls pilfer Walmart like crazy, and Walmart won’t bust many of them.
Many stores under staff. Customers often find no help.
Managers run a different department every day, so no consistency in departments or with staff.
Sam’s kids became spoiled, rich MBA silver spoon types with typical non-founder ethics (squeeze everything until drained). Sam is not happy, I’m pretty darned sure.
They likely feel they’re too big to fail. Well, a critical mass could turn against Walmart. There are alternatives.
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