November 28, 2004
A Strange Disturbance
Just as Monkey Watch will link anything found online regarding primates, so too will Always Low Prices link anything regarding Wal-Mart, however nerdesque. Two recent articles are more typical, they discuss companies which compete succesfully against Wal-Mart by providing specialized selection and a distinctive shopping experience. There are in fact also companies which compete successfully on price. Big Lots is expanding their presence in the Milwaukee area, and their newest store is going in across the street from their giant competitor. Family Dollar, another booming low price retailer, has recently opened a second location within walking distance of my house, with more stores popping up thruout the urban area. As I've stated before, I am fascinated by the popular hostility toward Wal-Mart, especially when the facts don't match the charges against them.
Posted by triticale at November 28, 2004 07:40 PMtriticale wrote: Just as Monkey Watch will link anything found online regarding primates, so too will Always Low Prices link anything regarding Wal-Mart, however nerdesque. ...
not quite, however thanks for the mention anyway.
Posted by: mwb at November 28, 2004 08:08 PMMy take is that the anti-Walmart crowd is small but vocal and comprised chiefly of lemmings following leftist organizers. Years ago, I had a falling out with Sears and decided to boycott the stores. I've done so and am quite happy. I didn't picket, go on TV, or distribute posters, I just quit shopping there. The people that scream about Walmart typically don't have a personal complaint (as I did), they have general complaints that were fed to them.
Regarding the mom-and-pop stores going out of business, it's a valid concern. But it's hardly Walmart's fault. The places have been complacent and inefficient. Without innovation, they will fail. Walmart, or Target, or Costco, or some other company will take away their customers eventually. Rest assured, they will fail without innovation to make them competitive. By suppressing competition, they are only putting a bandaid over the real problem - their inability to compete.
Posted by: Interested-Participant at December 3, 2004 10:15 PMI too had a falling out with Sears, over a credit issue, and have been avoiding them for thirty years. I have no reason to believe that what they did to me was rooted in their policy or philosophy, but I do bear them a grudge.
Posted by: triticale at December 3, 2004 10:32 PM