Free Republic

(03/03/05 - HOUSTON) — Pasadena police are hoping surveillance video will help them identify a man who attacked a senior citizen working at Wal-Mart. Shirley Barker, 68, works as a greeter, saying hello to customers walking in and checking the receipts of customers walking out. Last Saturday morning, a man ruined her day early. "He approached. He walked by. He just rolled up his fist and then just went pow," said Barker, demonstrating a punch. "He said nothing to me at all." Barker says she spit blood for three days and had bruises all over her face. She's home on...

Wal-Mart already offers money-transfer and check-cashing services. The next step is full-on banking. The financial services industry is terrified, but consumers might benefit.

Wal-Mart plans 10 new stores in China Firm aims to profit from new rules for foreign retailers Updated: 11:51 a.m. ET Nov. 2, 2004BEIJING - The world’s biggest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said it planned at least 10 new stores in China next year, joining other foreign retail giants in taking advantage of new rules letting them move into smaller cities. ...Snip... Last year, it sourced $15 billion worth of goods in low-cost China, from bicycles to fish. Scott said Chinese products made up about 80 percent of imports sold by Wal-Mart at its more than 3,200 U.S. outlets. Copyright...

The bottom line is, there will be less choice for the consumer with the same merchandise being offered at all stores. It's the MacDonaldization of retailing. Where consistency trumps quality and selection, and low prices trumps service and a knowledgeable staff. There will be less variety in clothing since there will be fewer buyers making the choices. As a kid, I can recall when going downtown to shop used to be a special outing, almost an entertainment event. People actually used to get all dressed up to go "to the stores," believe it or not. Well-dressed ladies would lunch in...