AZ Grocer Basha decries Wal-Mart 'blitzkrieg'

AZ Republic ^ | Christine L. Romero

[hsmomx3]

When it comes to Wal-Mart, Arizona grocery icon Eddie Basha doesn't mince words.

"I call it the economic holocaust," Basha, chief executive of Bashas', the state's largest homegrown supermarket chain, said in an interview with The Arizona Republic. "It's no different than what the Nazis did in World War II. It's a blitzkrieg. They are doing economically what the Nazis did militaristically."

[nightdriver]

Walmart used to guarantee that their stuff was made in America.

Walmart has not lived up to their "guarantee."

I refuse to shop at Walmart.

QED

[codyjacksmom]

I shop at wal-mart sometimes. Their prices are ALOT cheaper than any other grocery store around here. I do, however, hate having to deal with the crowds of people. The parking lot goes out about two blocks and it's always full. Sometimes I go to the local stores because I want some room to move. Super-centers are great but aaaaaaahhhhhhh. Give me some service.

[q_an_a]

i'm getting sick of people that are on the losing end of free and fair competition calling the winners nazi. RATS do it and now this businessman who is getting some competition. Anyone that has not read how Walmart runs it's operation is living in a cave.

They have been so powerful so long, that JC Penny left NYC 15 years ago. There have been plenty of warnings and yet everyone is crying as if there are no methods of competiting.

Every company takes at advantage of short term workers. There are cashiers and stock people that retired from Walmart with million dollar plans. "Workers" nont managers with a million in benefits. Anyone that thinks Walmart is cheap with workers has not seen what happens to long time workers.

[Ace's Dad]

holding down the country's inflation?

Last I looked, inflation wasn't a big probelm in this country, FWIW

[IYAS9YAS]

Actually, you have to be careful in Costco. My wife tracks prices (by the ounce/can/whatever) and she says that Costco is no deal in many ways. For example, the diapers we buy are about 19.1 cents/diaper (80 ct) at Fred Meyer and 18.1 cents/diaper at Costco (160 ct). So it makes no cents (hahahaha) to drive twenty miles to Costco to stock up on diapers when I can drive two miles and stock up and save the difference in gas.

Unless you're buying the Kirkland name or soda, many things at Costco really aren't a bargain.

[mountaineer]

Walmart used to guarantee that their stuff was made in America.

My recollection is that Wal-mart said it would sell American-made products wherever possible. The simple truth is that some products just aren't made in the USA any more (or, if they are, their prices are completely out of line with Wal-mart's customer base). Is Wal-mart supposed to stop selling these items?

No one is holding a gun to anyone's head, requiring them to shop at Wal-mart. It's interesting to see how capitalists are so hostile to capitalism's greatest success story.

[IYAS9YAS]

The one in Nampa hires a lot of mentally deficient young people. So does the one in Meridian (as witnessed by us in dealing with our former - we moved - next door neighbors).

The Nampa store has older folks working there, but mostly as greeters. The ones you ask to help you find something look at you like you just pulled the piercings out of thier lips.

[waverna]

See?? Its working!

[nightdriver]

"It's interesting to see how capitalists are so hostile to capitalism's greatest success story."

One doesn't have to be pro-union to see the larger picture of the economic dangers of patronizing slave labor to replace American jobs.

When enough Americans are thus displaced, they won't be able to shop at WalMart, either, no matter how low their prices.

Maybe it is inevitable, but at present, Chineeeeze knock-offs are hurting us not only in manufactured goods, but in things like computer software as well. It won't be too long before we won't tolerate stuff like Chineeeeeze-made brake shoes (dutifully stamped with the blue "Ford" oval) made from sheet-metal stampings, sawdust and fish glue.

[mountaineer]

It won't be too long before we won't tolerate stuff like Chineeeeeze-made brake shoes

So don't buy them.

[adam_az]

I wish they'd move the stupid state fairgrounds to some less valuable real estate, and let Wal Mart put in a store.

Eddie Basha is a loser.

Bashas supermarkets - dirty, disorganized, overpriced

Food City - Only in ghetto locations, overpriced, rotten produce, almost nothing but processed junk food and a large selection of various animal entrails in the "butcher" section..

AJ's - "gourmet" supermarket, lots of frilly crap, overpriced ($5 for some tinfoil?!), targetted at snooty people who want to avoid the riffraff that visit proletariat stores like, say, Trader Joes.

Do I see a pattern here?

[RedWhiteBlue]

That's right! You "get it!"

We do have inflation, but it is very low. Now how much higher would the inflation be if there were no Walmart? If all we had were the higher priced sources, because there was no price competition from Walmart, I'd expect that inflation would have been higher. And I don't think that the impact is so small that it is not quantifiable.

[gaspar]

Eddie Basha, a nominal Democrat with friends across the political spectrum, is aware that the Super WalMart in Nogales, AZ only hires illegals and those who will work for minimum. That single store has had an impact from the border to Tucson as Mexican visitors load up there, and don't bother anymore with the many traditional stores found in that border town. Safeway will soon be gone. So will the local hardware operation. Penny's is crumbling, and soon Nogales will be a one-store town. Then they can name the price they want.

[adam_az]

Ever consider taking an economics class?

[glorgau]

Do I see a pattern here?

Market segmentation?

[adam_az]

"Penny's is crumbling, and soon Nogales will be a one-store town. Then they can name the price they want."

I dunno bout you, but the universe I live in isn't going to reach steady-state once Walmart becomes the only store in Nogales.

Once that happens and wal-mart starts charging $9.75 for a bottle of water as you seem to think they will, sounds like a good opportunity to open up some competition.

[discostu]

AJs has a phenominal booze selection, and the booze prices are pretty good too. The pizza is really good. Only a doofus would do their main shopping there (the overall selection isn't that great) but it's not a bad place to swing by for extras.

[adam_az]

"Market segmentation?"

Yes, and failing to meet consumer need in each segment to the point that their customers will shop at nearly any alternative when there are alternatives available.

In other words, Basha's chains appeal is highly inelastic.

[RedWhiteBlue]

I agree with your wife about Costco, and the same can be said for Sam's. I like going to Costco, but you have to know your prices. There are some good deals there (phone cards, for example), but you can get just as good or better deals at the grocery store on a lot of items without having to buy in quantity. And if you buy from the local grocery store when an item is on sale and use coupons, you can do even better.

[G L Tirebiter]

He was a 1994 Democratic candidate for Arizona governor.

Figures.