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 have to see 10 women in Hijab’s when I shop at Amazon.
You are right. Wal-Mart isn’t convenient. I have tried their online and it’s a mixed bag for me. Not as efficient as Amazon. Once I purchased online and selected pick up in store and it was ready that day! Great! Next time I expected the same outcome for a shower gift. Went through same process and afterwards the availability would be the next week, after the date I needed it. Then I had reason to go to the same Wal-Mart and saw the items I wanted to purchase on the shelf but wasn’t sure and there was no way to check the wedding register in the store. I don’t have unlimited data on my phone and couldn’t check it myself so I didn’t get what I wanted. If I can find an item I want, reserve and maybe pay online, it makes my visit much faster. Otherwise it’s a 2 hour trip looking for it. UGH!
You say it very well. Wal-Mart has gone on a building spree in our underpopulated area. That kind of expansion seems to preceed a fall. But something better will takes its place. Remember the predecessor to Wal-Mart? Gibsons for us.
Welfare Mart just plain sucks. And its a calculated decision to suck. They service the welfare demographic who has plenty of time on their hands.
Went into a local Welfare Mart the other night. Out of 15 items on the list they were out of stock on 4. And I waited for over 20 min to check out. 3 lines out of roughly 25 were open.
They really aren’t worth the pittance in savings. Good luck with taking on Amazon.
Their online selection goes far beyond their store stock to even include other vendors.
Walgreen's can't compete on price or selection, but they kick @$$ on service and convenience.
If there are three or more people in line, they open another register. The pharmacist also doesn't care if we pay for our milk, cereal, photo prints, shampoo and batteries at the pharmacy.
I am in a town of 14k. Walgreens opened a store here about a decade ago.
When I go in, usually during the morning to pick up prescriptions, the store personnel outnumber customers by about 5 to 1.
Their prices on general merchandise is too high, considering their local competition is 3 dollar stores and a Walmart Supercenter.
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