1. At Wal-Mart, Americans spend $36,000,000 every hour of every day.
2. This works out to $20,928 profit every minute!
3. Wal-Mart will sell more from January 1 to St. Patrick's Day (March
17th) than Target sells all year.
4. Wal-Mart is bigger than Home Depot + Kroger + Target + Sears + Costco +
K-Mart combined.
5. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people and is the largest private
employer. And most can't speak English
6. Wal-Mart is the largest company in the history of the World.
7. Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger & Safeway combined, and keep
in mind they did this in only 15 years.
8. During this same period, 31 Supermarket chains sought bankruptcy
(including Winn-Dixie).
9. Wal-Mart now sells more food than any other store in the world.
10. Wal-Mart has approx 3,900 stores in the USA of which 1,906 are
SuperCenters; this is 1,000 more than it had 5 years ago.
11. This year, 7.2 billion different purchasing experiences will occur at
a Wal-Mart store. (Earth's population is approximately 6.5 billion.)
12. 90% of all Americans live within 15 miles of a Wal-Mart
13. Let Wal Mart bail out Wall Street
Quote from: trouble on December 12, 2008, 10:14:48 PM
7. Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger & Safeway combined, and keep
in mind they did this in only 15 years.
8. During this same period, 31 Supermarket chains sought bankruptcy
(including Winn-Dixie).
12. 90% of all Americans live within 15 miles of a Wal-Mart
I live within 15 miles of three Super-Walmart's
There are also 4 Winn-Dixie's in the same area. [thumbsup]
I tend to agree...if we are really in that much trouble, let Wallmart kick in. They've been making money off of lower and middle America for YEARS.
Quote from: trouble on December 12, 2008, 10:14:48 PM
5. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people and is the largest private
employer. And most can't speak English
That's partly due to the fact that Wal-Mart has a large presence in Central- and South America.
They've recently expanded into China (which should save them A TON in shipping costs [cheeky] ) and India.
I'm all for supporting local businesses that offer a unique and/or better product. I just don't understand paying more than I have to for commodities.
14. Wal-Mart is where Randall gets his women [cheeky] [bow_down]
Quote from: Obsessed? on December 12, 2008, 10:48:29 PM
That's partly due to the fact that Wal-Mart has a large presence in Central- and South America.
They've recently expanded into China (which should save them A TON in shipping costs [cheeky] ) and India.
I'm all for supporting local businesses that offer a unique and/or better product. I just don't understand paying more than I have to for commodities.
What you dont know is that chinese people are smart enough to not buy their own crappy shit.
Whereas American people are smart enough not to capitalize Chinese?
Maybe we should have a special "Wallmart Tax" to create a special wellfare fund to support the buisinesses hurt by them. It wouldn't affect me since I don't spend my money there anyway.
Quote from: Grifo on December 13, 2008, 12:15:05 AM
14. Wal-Mart is where Randall gets his women [cheeky] [bow_down]
he he
[laugh]
Wal Mart also exploits its employees, as is evident by all of the lawsuits and settlements around the country.
Quote from: Triple J on December 13, 2008, 09:45:53 AM
Wal Mart also exploits its employees, as is evident by all of the lawsuits and settlements around the country.
I find it difficut to tell the employees from the customers.
I won't shop at Wal Mart.
It has nothing to do with politics or economics.
It has to do with the shoppers at Wal Mart making me really, really sad.
Quote from: Drunken Monkey on December 13, 2008, 10:03:24 AM
I won't shop at Wal Mart.
It has nothing to do with politics or economics.
It has to do with the shoppers at Wal Mart making me really, really sad.
I only go in quick to look for Ducati models.
Quote from: Drunken Monkey on December 13, 2008, 10:03:24 AM
I won't shop at Wal Mart.
It has nothing to do with politics or economics.
It has to do with the shoppers at Wal Mart making me really, really sad.
+1
I have boycotted Wal-Mart for the last 15 years. They opened a store in my hometown of 6500, lowered the prices below cost and drove out the other retail outlets, then raised the prices. Then they built a Super Wal-Mart next to it and did the same thing to all the local grocery stores. Now, people in town will drive 40-50 miles away to a more populous urban area where the Wal-Mart has more competition to buy their goods because their local store raised the prices again.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not whining and I'm not picketing the place, but I'm not about to fuel a business that I see as predatory to small, locally owned business.
Been Walmart free for 3+ years.
Am not going back.
I don't shop there, either.
Quote from: superjohn on December 13, 2008, 11:57:27 AM
+1
I have boycotted Wal-Mart for the last 15 years. They opened a store in my hometown of 6500, lowered the prices below cost and drove out the other retail outlets, then raised the prices. Then they built a Super Wal-Mart next to it and did the same thing to all the local grocery stores. Now, people in town will drive 40-50 miles away to a more populous urban area where the Wal-Mart has more competition to buy their goods because their local store raised the prices again.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not whining and I'm not picketing the place, but I'm not about to fuel a business that I see as predatory to small, locally owned business.
Yeah. You show them who's boss. ???
I buy what I need at wherever is cheapest, because standing up for small, locally owned businesses won't help me afford a house.
Life is all about me, you know.
Quote from: kopfjager on December 13, 2008, 01:20:08 PM
Yeah. You show them who's boss. ???
I'm not trying to show them anything. Just making a personal choice.
Quote from: He Man on December 13, 2008, 12:22:17 AM
What you dont know is that chinese people are smart enough to not buy their own crappy shit.
+1
Chinese Wal Mart stores carry a lot of good, sometimes high-end American imports. Go figure.
Quote from: Speedbag on December 13, 2008, 02:42:38 PM
+1
Chinese Wal Mart stores carry a lot of good, sometimes high-end American imports. Go figure.
Cheap shipping rates to China, maybe?
???
A friend of mine gets over there several times a year for work (which he hates with a passion) and has been astounded time and time again by what the WM stores there have. And a lot of the people he's seen are pretty well dressed.
I saw a show on the tube once that says because their economy is growing so fast more of their people increasingly have money to burn and seek out better products than their own crap. How ironic. [roll]
Quote from: Speedbag on December 13, 2008, 03:25:42 PM
I saw a show on the tube once that says because their economy is growing so fast more of their people increasingly have money to burn and seek out better products than their own crap. How ironic. [roll]
isn't that what we do? italian motorcycles... german cars... japanese electronics...
Quote from: derby on December 13, 2008, 03:56:43 PM
isn't that what we do? italian motorcycles... german cars... japanese electronics...
hey, now! I... resemble.. that remark! :D
Quote from: Grifo on December 13, 2008, 12:15:05 AM
14. Wal-Mart is where Randall gets his women [cheeky] [bow_down]
bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
What's a Wal Mart? ???
Quote from: Super T.I.B on December 14, 2008, 06:18:38 PM
What's a Wal Mart? ???
Don't worry, you're not missing anything.
On a clear day in the winter I can actuall see another Wal Mart from a Wal Mart parking lot.
What is in between them?
Target.
Target is targeted. [drink]
Wal-Mart: We also walk dogs... :P
Quote from: Mother on December 14, 2008, 06:51:42 PM
Wal-Mart: We also walk dogs... :P
??? Me no unnerstand that one. ???
Our local Wal-Mart just closed as they built a Super Center to replace it about 5 miles away. However, they do not have as broad product selection as a Super Center as the did before. The beer & wine selection kinda bites though. I hit a local wine seller for wine now and one of the local smaller grocery stores (Ingle's) for beer.
Those of you grumping about banking fees, find a way to join a local government credit union. I pay $1/month in fees and that is all.
JM
Quote from: the_Journeyman on December 15, 2008, 06:30:56 AM
Our local Wal-Mart just closed as they built a Super Center to replace it about 5 miles away. However, they do not have as broad product selection as a Super Center as the did before. The beer & wine selection kinda bites though. I hit a local wine seller for wine now and one of the local smaller grocery stores (Ingle's) for beer.
Those of you grumping about banking fees, find a way to join a local government credit union. I pay $1/month in fees and that is all.
JM
You pay fees at a credit union?
You're doing it wrong. [laugh]
That's their service fee. Usually the interest on my checking account covers it ~
JM
Quote from: the_Journeyman on December 15, 2008, 09:48:34 AM
That's their service fee. Usually the interest on my checking account covers it ~
JM
Weird, usually they dont have fees.
My wife works in marketing at Target, so the "W" word is taboo in our home.
The times I have had to go into one, I feel like I am at the State Fair. Lots of interesting people shop there.
I tried to walk into Target...
...but I missed. [cheeky]
Quote from: Court-Jester on December 15, 2008, 10:00:53 AM
Weird, usually they dont have fees.
Been members of 2 CU's, no fees....
Quote from: superjohn on December 13, 2008, 11:57:27 AM
Don't get me wrong, I'm not whining and I'm not picketing the place, but I'm not about to fuel a business that I see as predatory to small, locally owned business.
That is what as known as a Free Market Economy.
Quote from: cyrus buelton on December 15, 2008, 02:57:29 PM
That is what as known as a Free Market Economy.
+1
Walmart provides products at a low rate that some people could not afford otherwise. Obviously they are providing a service to their costumers that are desired by the end customer.
Now if they could offer something at a reasonable price that worked...
they'd be on to something
Quote from: Fox on December 15, 2008, 03:31:24 PM
+1
Walmart provides products at a low rate that some people could not afford otherwise. Obviously they are providing a service to their costumers that are desired by the end customer.
they sell shit
sure you can purchase them cheap but they break
then you are back at wal-mart purchasing another cheap item to replace your broken one
and hell, since you are there, why not get this widget?
it's a great deal, so cheap compared to the one I saw at ________
now you go home with 2 cheap ass widgets...that break
then back to wal-mart to replace them
and hell, since you are there, why not get this widget?
it's a great deal, so cheap compared to the one I saw at _________
and over and over and over
Which is why I typically only buy commodities there.
Their Old Spice Body Wash is the same as I would find at the Shaw's down the street. It just costs me less.
A GE light bulb is a GE light bulb.
I think the single most expensive product I've ever bought at a Wal Mart was a $150 Ruger 10/22.
Again, a commodity.
That rifle never "broke." I wore out an extractor and a firing pin, but that's because I put like 15,000 rounds through the thing the first summer I owned it.
Quote from: Mother on December 15, 2008, 04:57:35 PM
they sell shit
sure you can purchase them cheap but they break
then you are back at wal-mart purchasing another cheap item to replace your broken one
and hell, since you are there, why not get this widget?
it's a great deal, so cheap compared to the one I saw at ________
now you go home with 2 cheap ass widgets...that break
then back to wal-mart to replace them
and hell, since you are there, why not get this widget?
it's a great deal, so cheap compared to the one I saw at _________
and over and over and over
Walmart has been around for quite some time. If their returning customers felt that the quality of the product was not up to par then they would not buy it. Their sales numbers don't lie.
Quote from: Fox on December 15, 2008, 05:15:23 PM
Walmart has been around for quite some time. If their returning customers felt that the quality of the product was not up to par then they would not buy it. Their sales numbers don't lie.
Just because the returning customers don't feel the quality of the product is shit, does not mean it's not actually shit.
Quote from: Fox on December 15, 2008, 05:15:23 PM
Walmart has been around for quite some time. If their returning customers felt that the quality of the product was not up to par then they would not buy it. Their sales numbers don't lie.
When Sam was alive the products they sold were made in this country and were truly quality for less.
The products they sell now are not quality.
Quote from: Obsessed? on December 15, 2008, 05:07:36 PM
Which is why I typically only buy commodities there.
Their Old Spice Body Wash is the same as I would find at the Shaw's down the street. It just costs me less.
A GE light bulb is a GE light bulb.
I think the single most expensive product I've ever bought at a Wal Mart was a $150 Ruger 10/22.
Again, a commodity.
That rifle never "broke." I wore out an extractor and a firing pin, but that's because I put like 15,000 rounds through the thing the first summer I owned it.
Almost true...
There are grades of everything....
Ruger produces 10/22s strictly for Walmart.
Do you believe they are the same quality?
Quote from: Fox on December 15, 2008, 05:15:23 PM
Walmart has been around for quite some time. If their returning customers felt that the quality of the product was not up to par then they would not buy it. Their sales numbers don't lie.
Not necessarily true. They could shop there for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with the way they feel about the quality of the products. They may not be able to afford to shop elsewhere. They could shop there because its convenient, or because there are no other local alternatives. They could shop there because of the variety of products (I've never been to a Walmart, so I'm only guessing as to the variety of the inventory).
I can shop wherever I want. I am single, no kids etc. i shop at walmart all the time, 2-3 times or more a week. I buy
Soap, shampoo, toothpaste etc
Dog food, cat food
Dvd, CD, Blue ray
I got my itouch there ( i hope its not like the ruger deal)
I buy my jeans, t-shirts etc
I buy alot of my groceries there as well
I love that place, and the people watching is top notch. [thumbsup]
Quote from: ducpainter on December 15, 2008, 05:20:24 PM
Ruger produces 10/22s strictly for Walmart.
Do you believe they are the same quality?
I doubt it would be cost effective for Ruger to set up a separate production line assembling guns made to a lesser standard.
Quote from: Obsessed? on December 15, 2008, 05:39:21 PM
I doubt it would be cost effective for Ruger to set up a separate production line assembling guns made to a lesser standard.
I didn't say they did that....
in all manufactured items there are tolerances...
a top quality product meets all of them.
Unfortunately not all items produced meet these tolerances.
You think Walmart cares?
^^^ I'm not buying that for a make the beast with two backsing minute.
Quote from: kopfjager on December 15, 2008, 05:48:51 PM
^^^ I'm not buying that for a make the beast with two backsing minute.
why not?
Ever work in manufacturing?
I think you know the answer to that.
I believe ruger has standards. I don't think they sell weapons that don't meet them. But WTFDIK.
I typically don't buy electronics at Wal-Mart.
JM
Quote from: kopfjager on December 15, 2008, 05:52:22 PM
I think you know the answer to that.
I believe ruger has standards. I don't think they sell weapons that don't meet them. But WTFDIK.
I don't think that Ruger would allow a product that didn't meet safety standards to leave their factory either.
On the other hand I know some people that have worked in their NH plant :P
There are many manufacturing 'tolerances' that can fail and still offer a safe/perfectly functional product.
Not everything is made to gubmint hammer or toilet seat standards.
There are a bunch of reasons Walmart can sell a 10/22 cheaper than anyone else.
IDRFKE ;)
Purchasing power [puke]
Quote from: pndwind on December 15, 2008, 06:31:59 PM
Purchasing power [puke]
Unfortunately, I think that's the case. Take for instance the company that produces Walmart's plastic bags. Do you thnk ANYONE would have turned down that contract, no matter what the price? Walmart has more financial weight to throw around than probably any company in the world. I don't have proof obviously (hey, if I can't run around anonymously screaming about unsubstantiated accusations, I don't want to be a part of the interwebs) but I wouldn't doubt that the Wally World reps have bullied more than one company into stocking their products on WM's shelves for less than they normally would. I'm not saying they did it with Ruger, but if the manufacturing company lost money on their sales to WM, the cost recuperation has to be coming from somewhere else (quality and standards). In addition (as someone said earlier), their numbers are saying that people WILL buy shit from Walmart, regardless of quality. Just so long as the price is right......
Quote from: Jarvicious on December 15, 2008, 07:26:53 PM
I don't have proof obviously (hey, if I can't run around anonymously screaming about unsubstantiated accusations, I don't want to be a part of the interwebs) but I wouldn't doubt that the Wally World reps have bullied more than one company into stocking their products on WM's shelves for less than they normally would.
actually, that proof is pretty easy to find. there have been articles and books written about it.
Yeah, I've heard of such articles but I figured I'd throw in a disclaimer simply because I didn't want to have to site my sources :). Even with said "evidence" around, I usually tend to make up my own mind about conspiracy theories and the like, but this one's really not that far fetched.
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=50f6f94e-d812-48fe-9388-e477b8718948&p=1 (http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=50f6f94e-d812-48fe-9388-e477b8718948&p=1)
Saint Wal-Mart? well, let's look at the record
We might also think about the Nobel Peace Prize when we consider the retail giant's contributions to society
Fazil Mihlar, Vancouver Sun
Published: Saturday, February 09, 2008
Wal-Mart deserves the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize. And the Vatican may want to beatify the world's largest retailer.
CONSIDER THAT WAL-MART:
- Provides employment to 1.9 million people; the best defence against poverty is a job.
- Creates thousands of job opportunities for people in developing countries like China and India; this keeps hunger at bay in many households.
- Doles out hundreds of millions of dollars each year in dividends that help fund the retirement of millions of people; the company had sales in excess of $348 billion and a net profit of $11.3 billion in 2007.
- Sells food, clothing and other necessities to Canadians, Americans and others at prices that are 15 to 25 per cent below what other supermarkets charge; this helps millions of low-income families stretch their dollars.
- Pushes the inflation rate down and helps keep interest rates low; this comes in handy for millions of families when borrowing to buy a house or household appliances.
- Disburses $415 million in cash and in-kind merchandise annually to 100,000 charitable organizations around the world.
- Pursues environmental sustainability; sells more organic produce than most retailers; works with the Clinton Foundation to lower prices on sustainable technologies such as energy-efficient lighting and building materials; has opened the first in a series of high-efficiency stores that will use 20 per cent less energy than a typical Wal-Mart. And its proposed Vancouver store is more environmentally friendly than any building in the Lower Mainland.
All of this was made possible by Wal-Mart's innovations.
The retail business is characterized by large inventories, big sales volumes and a thin profit margin. That means retailers must reduce the cost of holding inventory, so efficient warehousing and transportation becomes critical.
A recent publication from Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania suggests that the key to efficiency at Wal-Mart is its distribution.
The retailer integrated its data systems with those of its suppliers. This allows the company to watch what items are selling. This in turn allows the firm to keep inventory costs down, and vendors produce only what's moving fast. Estimates suggest that almost 70 per cent of Wal-Mart's merchandise is sold before the company has to pay the supplier.
Improving business productivity is the sure-fire way of increasing living standards. Ask any economist of repute.
While Wal-Mart's primary intent is not to do all the aforementioned social good, what it has done and is doing is raising the living standards of millions of families around the world.
So if we are concerned about consequences and not just intentions, doesn't Wal-Mart deserve the peace prize?
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways," Karl Marx said, "the point, however, is to change it," Wal-Mart has done more to change the world for the better than most anti-Wal-Mart do-gooders in North America ever have or could.
Recall that the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize went to Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank, started in Bangladesh and now established in many developing countries, for their innovative efforts to create economic and social development from the ground up by providing credit to those whom mainline banks would not lend to.
And let's not forget Jimmy Carter, the former president of the United States, who received the peace prize for his efforts to advance democracy and human rights and to promote economic and social development in the Third World.
On the basis of the evidence, it is impossible to argue that Yunus or Carter have done more than Wal-Mart to alleviate poverty.
The company that Sam Walton established in 1962 in Arkansas is not without its flaws. Critics allege that Wal-Mart doesn't pay a "living wage" or provide health care. As well, they claim that the company puts many independent small retailers out of business and destroys communities.
Wal-Mart pays an average wage of $10 in North America and 90 per cent of its American employees have health coverage. In the past few years, Wal-Mart has been named the best employer in Canada. So much so for exploiting workers.
There is not much evidence that Wal-Mart puts mom-and-pop operations out of business. In fact, studies demonstrate that if shopowners adapt to the ever-changing retail market, they can thrive after Wal-Mart comes to their town.
As to the charge that it destroys communities, how come towns like Cranbrook in British Columbia and Miramichi in New Brunswick have petitions with 3,000 and 11,000 people respectively urging the company to set up shop?
Even assuming that Wal-Mart is an imperfect entity (it has paid fines for violating labour laws), that's not reason enough to deprive it of the peace prize. After all, many Nobel laureates aren't exactly without flaws -- Henry Kissinger (1973), Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat (1978), or Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat (1994) come to mind.
Now, to the possibly more controversial issue of beatification/sainthood for Wal-Mart.
Pope John Paul II beatified Mother Teresa, who died in 1997. In 2002, the Vatican recognized the healing of an Indian woman as the miracle needed to beatify Mother Teresa.
One can plausibly argue that Wal-Mart's innovations and the resulting "Everyday Low Prices" are nothing short of a miracle.
Last, but not least, Wal-Mart is able to provide low-priced goods because the company is positively parsimonious. Its executives fly cattle-class, share low-priced hotel rooms and empty their own trash. Every penny saved ends up in the pockets of customers, many of them on low incomes.
How much more saintly can a corporate entity get?
^^^
Um, all give praise to mighty Wal-Mart. [bow_down]
From my last post on this subject, I sorta did know what a Wal-Mart was from my South Park edumacation. ;D
I did hear that Costco is coming to Australia. :-\ They do bulk stuff, don't they?
Most all manufactures have a separate line for the big box stores. That's how they make money of the product and still be able to sell it for less.
(word of advice: don't buy Andersen or Pella windows from the big box stores)
I use to hate Wal Mart for many reasons. Then we had kids. Try finding diapers or baby food around here after 8:00 pm. Thank you Wal Mart.
Have you seen most of their employees? As an employer would you hire half of them? Who else in this country would hire them. Talk about charity work. And people have the nerve to complain about wages and benefits, these people are lucky to have a job. I've know a few people who have worked there in their youth. If you have the slightest drive or motivation, they will promote you quickly and compensate you accordingly.
And when a company of that scale decides to go green and make their suppliers go green that's some impact.
http://walmartwatch.com/environment (http://walmartwatch.com/environment)
They have the best prices on Mobil 1!
Yet I still secretly hate them. I would not buy any product from them that I will need for more than two weeks.
I use to hate Wal Mart for many reasons. If you have the slightest drive or motivation, they will promote you quickly and compensate you accordingly.
Try Working for them! [bang]
Quote from: MrIncredible on December 15, 2008, 08:34:36 PM
Last, but not least, Wal-Mart is able to provide low-priced goods because the company is positively parsimonious. Its executives fly cattle-class, share low-priced hotel rooms and empty their own trash. Every penny saved ends up in the pockets of customers, many of them on low incomes.
Wal-Mart's aviation dept has 2 Learjet 45s, 2 Learjet 35s, 14 Learjet 31 & 31A, a Challenger and a Global Express. They also employ approx 75 pilots and 40 mechanics. Not exactly cattle-class at Southwest.
And supposedly the the room-sharing thing was abandoned years ago. This is what I heard from a friend of a friend of a friend who's a pilot for them.
"Last, but not least, Wal-Mart is able to provide low-priced goods because the company is positively parsimonious. Its executives fly cattle-class, share low-priced hotel rooms and empty their own trash."
That is Ikea. Look into the beginning of Ikea, they had this on History Channel show, very interesting
Best reason to go into Walmart-
http://thewvsr.com/TheWVSRgame.htm (http://thewvsr.com/TheWVSRgame.htm)
A lot of people complain about Walmart because they have taken away the ma and pa shops in smaller towns. But my wife's parents live in a small town. And now the locals can actually shop for updated products right in their home town, and the selection is huge. And, many of the employees make as much or more than they did in the small shops. So, I support the Walmart model.
However...
I am to the point in my life where I would rather pay a little more for good customer service, than to save money by supporting the Walmart engine. We all have a vote with our dollar, and I personally choose to vote for good customer service, which isn't at Walmart.
Since my wife buys the groceries, she shops at Walmart a lot. But then complains about the customer service. When we go to a local grocery store (Publics), the service is outstanding. So, I am trying to get her to see that if she shops at Walmart, she is voting against the excellent customer service but instead JUST for low price.