Free Republic

Upscale Wal-Marts -- what's next, buggies with bling? By Eric Heyl TRIBUNE-REVIEW Friday, March 24, 2006 NEWS ITEM: Wal-Mart this week is debuting an experimental store geared toward upscale shoppers rather than the retailer's traditional discount-oriented consumer base. If the Plano, Texas, store proves successful, similar-style Wal-Marts may open in other locales. "Good afternoon, sir, and welcome to Le Mart du Wal. My name is Francois, and I will be your personal shopping assistant today. Has your experience with us so far met your expectations?"

Feb 8, 2006 — By Kristin Roberts WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New York Democrat Sen. Hillary Clinton has entered the debate over Wal-Mart's controversial bank application, telling regulators she has "serious reservations" about allowing companies to enter financial services by exploiting a "loophole" in U.S. law. According to a February 3 letter obtained by Reuters on Wednesday, Clinton, a former Wal-Mart board member, told the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. the retailer's bid to open an industrial loan company (ILC), if successful, could have a significant impact on the financial sector. "After hearing from very concerned constituents about Wal-Mart's application for federal...

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A national retail industry trade association filed suit Tuesday challenging a Maryland law designed to pressure Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to spend more money on health care for its employees. The law, the first of its kind in the nation, was enacted Jan. 12 when the Democratic-controlled legislature overrode Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich's veto. The law requires companies with more than 10,000 employees in Maryland to spend at least 8 percent of payroll on health care or contribute the difference to the state Medicaid fund. State officials said Wal-Mart is the only company of that size that...

SEATTLE – When Michelle Wolfe is out stocking up on erasers, pencil sharpeners and 20-cent bottles of Elmer's glue, she hopes she's not spotted by anyone she knows. Why? Because the Spokane schoolteacher buys her classroom supplies at Wal-Mart. On Wednesday, Washington's 77,000-strong teachers' union called on members and parents to avoid the world's largest retailer when shopping for school supplies. It was one of more than 30 similar press conferences in 20 states held Wednesday by teachers, union members and lawmakers critical of Wal-Mart. "As educators, we recognize that we have a responsibility that goes beyond instruction in the...