Thread: The End of The WalMart Era (FINALLY!)

You guys are going to love this article. I refuse to shop at Walmart and haven't for quite some time.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/In ... rtEra.aspx

The end of the Wal-Mart era
Its influence on the economy is profound and lasting. But for the first time, the world's biggest retailer is having a tough time providing what consumers want.

IndexBy The Wall Street Journal
The Wal-Mart era, the retailer's time of overwhelming business and social influence in America, is drawing to a close.

Using a combination of low prices and relentless expansion, Wal-Mart Stores (WMT, news, msgs) emerged from rural Arkansas in the 1970s to reshape the world's largest economy. Its co-founder, Sam Walton, taught Americans to demand ever-lower prices and instructed businesses on running a lean company. His company helped boost America's overall productivity, lowered the inflation rate and strengthened the buying power for millions of people.

Over time, it also accelerated the drive to manufacture products in Asia, drove countless small shops out of business and sped the decline of Main Street. Those changes are permanent.

Talk back: Is Wal-Mart past its prime?
Today, though, Wal-Mart's influence over the retail universe is slipping. In fact, the industry's titan is scrambling to keep up with swifter rivals that are redefining the business all around it. It can still disrupt prices, as it did last year by cutting some generic prescriptions in the United States to $4. But success is no longer guaranteed.

Convenience, selection and quality
Rival retailers lured Americans away from Wal-Mart's low-price promise by offering greater convenience, more selection, higher quality or better service. Amid the country's growing affluence, Wal-Mart has struggled to overhaul its down-market, politically incorrect image while other discounters pitched themselves as more upscale and more palatable alternatives.

The Internet has changed shoppers' preferences and eroded the commanding influence Wal-Mart had over its suppliers. As a result, American shoppers are increasingly looking for qualities that Wal-Mart has trouble providing.

"For the first time in a long time, quality has a chance to gain on price," says Lee Peterson, a vice president at WD Partners, an Ohio brand-consulting firm.

Now, the big-name brands that fueled Wal-Mart's climb to the top are forging exclusive distribution deals with other retailers or working to reduce their reliance on its stores.

Maybe Wal-Mart will realize it's time to get back to America and get La Raza out of headquarters and China off the shelves.

AMERICAN MADE IS MADE WITH PRIDE!!!!!!

Dixie

I've heard that Wal-Mart has refused contracts with suppliers because their products were too high quality, and therefor too expensive. Wal-Mart's method of cheaper at any cost may be seeing its last days. Hopefully this trend is dying. Their products suck. Their employees suck. And it is all to do with their infatuation with CHEAP. Hopefully this is a general trend that ALL Americans and businesses follow. Things in this nation should ADVANCE. Prices may go up a tick, BUT QUALITY AND WAGES SHOULD SOAR!!!

I would think the poisoned products from China has also hurt them. At least, I bet it will this Christmas.

I can proudly state " I have NEVER shopped in Walmart" I always felt they were built to destroy small town Main Street.

Bearflag, I would gladly pay $10.00 for a package of underwear versus Walmarts standard $6.00, as an single example (funny example, I know). If it meant that we, as Dixie said, can get China out of our stores, and more American companies back with more Americans making wages that are livable and beyond, it would make me happy.

So, if that is the case, then we should all look at the upcoming Christmas season and adjust our spending and thinking, it just makes sense, and it just might start hurting Walmart and other cheap-end retailers, who sell non-American goods.

I want to see more union jobs, and would hope that in the long run, I am making my own families potential better in the process (hubby's job is non-union, with below average wage for his position).

I have been against wal-mart forever. I am glad that they seem to be going DOWN. I know that sometimes they price their things even below cost. A firend of mine was really suprised that they carry so many Chinese products. She doesn't get much news and was also suprised about the millions of products that have been recalled from China. I worked in a wharehouse and some of the truck drivers said that walmart went into small towns and put small businesses out of business. Hip Hip Hurray

WOW jjsokay , make I shake your hand through the internet. How amazing to meet someone who has NEVER been to a WalMart.

It is a good day when Americans want American made, when they are sick of cheap products, few choices and Spanish blaring over their store speakers. I added that part, but let's face it kids, that is true too.

Dixie was correct in her analogy.

What good news.

Psalm 91

Have any of you ever tried to buy a shirt or a bath towel from Wal-Mart? They're garbage. With the exception of basic products like shampoo, garbage bags, etc...most of their stuff is so cheap and poorly made that it's not really a bargain.

Great news! I hope they go out of business. All they sell are inferior products from China, and Americans have had enough of toys containing lead paint and tainted food. Not to mention, a large percentage of their workforce are illegals.

Their greed is destroying them, and rightly so.