Wal-Mart sets sights on Target

[NeoConsSuck]

Among the more out-of-character things Wal-Mart Stores CEO H. Lee Scott has been talking up lately is the retailer's quest for more sales to more-affluent shoppers.

To do it, the company's Wal-Mart (WMT) chain — which has built an empire out of going for the biggest discounts for the most price-conscious shoppers — is working to overhaul its merchandise mix, stores and image in hopes of snagging a share.

"Our mistake was that we just kept our focus on how to get better value for that person who's under so much pressure," says Scott, explaining the strategy in an interview with USA TODAY.

<snip>
Andrea Warren, an event planner in Houston, loves Wal-Mart for cleaning and beauty products and also recently spent $125 on computer cable and memory cards. But she keeps her Wal-Mart habit to herself. "It is my dirty little secret," says Warren, 32, who says Wal-Mart isn't "socially approved" like Target, which is known for its "cheap chic."

That's the kind of brand perception Scott knows he must change.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2005-08-04-walmart-cover_x.htm

[babylonsister]

1. All I know is, I shop at Target and won't be

going to Walmart. I can't even stand their parking lots, never mind their politics.

[NeoConsSuck]

5. Agreed.

The few times I shopped at Walmart, I felt like I needed a shower after leaving.

I have a Target close by, it's where I shop. Never again at Walmart.

[MidwestTransplant]

20. Been to WalMart exactly once.

Nasty place. Target is far better.

[kysrsoze]

64. Only go to Walmart at one time - camping when there is nowhere else to go

I still hate it. Target all the way.

[SW FL Dem]

39. Absolutely!

I will never shop at Wal Mart again. Wal Mart can try to upscale, but they will never be better than K Mart. Target (Tar Jay) is and always will be my discount store of choice.

[Born Free]

50. We Stopped going to Wal-Mart

We actually looked forward to Wal Mart when they first came, we loved the Wal-Mart flyers with all the American flags and "Made in USA" references, it seem like an All-American place to shop but evolved over the years to be very anti American. Now they should use the flags and symbols of China.

It has been a couple of years now, we do still shop at Target but lately have been reading a lot of concerning articles about Target as well - it appears Target may be slowly changing to be more like Wal-Mart. Costco still seems to have the best reputation so for taking care of their employees and in reality they all have similar prices, so for us, politics and how well they are to their employees becomes an important factor.

[kysrsoze]

65. That's a very good point. Target sells LOADS of Chinese stuff

Not sure where you can go that doesn't anymore.

[kypper]

88. There's nothing wrong with selling Chinese stuff

...if they can verify with 100% certainty that it's not done in a sweatshop, etc. These instances do exist, albeit far and few between. That's why Taiwan is a better option.

[malaise]

78. I convinced my sister and her family

from shopping t Walmart. If they take over Target, we will boycott them as well. DU has made me very conscious about giving my money to people who don't share my values.

[scarletlib]

52. you said it.

atleast in the area I live in, I see the same people working at Target for years. To me this means they treat their people decently.

Target gets my dollar: it's clean, not cluttered. it's things are nice. it treats it's employees decently. why would I go anywhere else.

[renate]

80. I've seen that too

...now that you mention it--the same people working there for years. Good point.
Plus, cool stuff for a good price. Love that Target.

Of course, true-blue Costco rocks the mostest.

[scarletlib]

86. my problem is that there is no costco in the area where I live

[Dinger]

73. I Go To Mal-Wart Whenever I Get A Chance,

and I put little homr-made stickers in strategic areas, and flyers too. I once put a sticker in their gun department that said "bu$h lied and our soldiers died."
Just my little way of having some fun:evilgrin:

[renate]

81. that WOULD be fun

Great idea! I love the idea of planting flyers (I suppose stickers could be considered property damage... I'm just chicken, I guess, and wouldn't want to get busted by a Wal-Mart security guard. Something tells me Wal-Mart wouldn't drop the charges). Take advantage of the First Amendment while we still can!

[Dulcinea]

75. I hate Walmart too.

Dirty, crowded, cheap low-quality merchandise, rednecks...no thanks. I avoid it like the plague.

[Shakespeare]

2. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Never gonna happen. We Target shoppers are loyal, and I suspect most of us despise Wal-Mart.

[gizmo1979]

11. And they don't have

blue slurpees.

[meganmonkey]

3. Fuck you Walmart

That's all I have to say :)

[bluestateguy]

4. Aren't these people ever satisfied?

They remind me of the Nemoidians from Star Wars' Trade Federation

[durablend]

34. More like the BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORG

They want EVERYONE else assimilated!

[stanwyck]

6. Then Wal-Mart better

hire a whole fleet of people to totally rearrange their stores so there are ample aisles with organized shelves. Plus, Wal-Mart better lock in the cleaning crew cause the Tar-Jays are much neater and cleaner. And some hapless Wal-Mart workers (um, I guess they're all "hapless") are going to have to get on ladders and pull down all that stuff on those tippy tall shelves.
Wal-Mart stores are crowded and jumbled and dirty. Stuff is stashed everywhere with no organization. Matches for examples. Where are they? It's as though kindgarteners were put in charge of stocking. Products are thrown haphazardly everywhere. With no apparent reason.
Yes, Wal-Mart is cheap. But shopping in their stores is a soul-defeating experience. I'd rather pay a few pennies more and go to Target. Navigating the narrow, crowded aisles of a trashed out Wal-Mart is not worth a few cents.
Targets actually respect their customers and it shows.
Wal-Mart's attitude is: here you go, suckers. Here's some cheap stuff. Just try and buy it. We've got a trashy store with long lines and surly staff.
Enjoy.

[Cobalt Violet]

27. Wal-Mart always has long lines. Target never does.

[notadmblnd]

7. People are not going to stop going to Targets bright clean stores

in exchange for wal-marts dirty institutional gray walled stores. The appeal of going to Target for me is the cleanliness and pleasant atmosphere, it actually cheers me up. Unlike the totally depressing wal-mart

[wildwww2]

56. Yes the cleanliness is nice. And our target has a Pizza Hut in it.

And the pizza is always very good. And the Wal-Mart a mile down the way of state road 7 has a McDonalds and it is the worst quality of almost any Mickey D`s I have been to. The food is mediocre at best times and sucks most of the time. Plus getting assistance from associates in the Target stores. Out shines the Wal-Mart Bu$h lickers by miles and miles. The wife, son and myself avoid Wally`s like the plague. As a matter of fact we will be shopping at Target today.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[Blue Belle]

66. Our Target has a Starbucks in it...

I've always been a loyal Target shopper and would rather dive into a bathtub full of rusty razor blades than to shop Walmart. I'm disappointed to read that Target is also a "RED" company, but they treat their employees much better than Walmart, and their stores are cleaner and they have better merchandise. Target and Costco have my business hands down.

[Bolo Boffin]

93. Lord have mercy on our souls!

Sorry for the Best Little Whorehouse reference, but if the meter fits, scan it.

[YOY]

8. When we go to Target I see other people shopping

When we went to Walmart I felt like the smartest man and the best genetic collection in the store...that is not a good thing.

I'm definitely not that smart and my genes are no where near ideal.

[xxqqqzme]

9. Xcept here in CA Target

is funding steroid boy HUGE! I have 2 seek out K-Marts these days.

[Kerrytravelers]

12. Yep. We don't shap at Walmart or Target. Companies are too reeeeeeeeeeeed.

[cliss]

42. Nor we.

I have never set foot in Walled-in Mart. I never will.

I've been to Target once. That was about it for me.

[Cha]

26. And the Dems in Cal should let

target know why they aren't shopping there anymore.

It's either the People or the shovelnator..they can take their pick.

[natrat]

10. FUCK YOU DOUCHE MART

[City Lights]

13. Haven't set foot in a wal-mart in years.

Nothing will change that.

[Neshanic]

14. Target and Costco for me. Nice try Walmart, no cigar.

[matt819]

15. Not a prayer I would switch

In fact, they can also save their nickles and dimes and stop supporting NPR. It doesn't make a bit of difference. When they start buying from American companies and supporting progressive causes, maybe I'll give it another look.

[Lorien]

16. Target may be Red, but few retailers are AS Red as Wal-Mart

plus, Target isn't destroying small towns the way Wal-Mart is. This quote really gets me:

"Our mistake was that we just kept our focus on how to get better value for that person who's under so much pressure," says Scott, explaining the strategy in an interview with USA TODAY.


Yeah, Scott; that person who is "under so much pressure" is that way because of Assh*les like YOU!

[Blue Belle]

68. Good stategy...

Walmart helps to fund those who will eliminate the middle class, and reap the benefit of more shoppers "Under so much pressure". Why don't they come out and say "We were banking the prospect of the class system being put back in place... who knew we wouldn't be the preferred retailer of ever growing 'Surf' population?"

Those fuckers. :grr:

[Straight Shooter]

17. Kiss my red, white and blue American a**, W-Mart

I like Target. Also, their doggie mascot is waaaaay cuter than your insipid smiley face, too.

[neuvocat]

19. Boycotting Wal Mart is Patriotic.

[cascadiance]

35. Yup it is!!

I'll drink to that!!



http://www.cafepress.com/chinamart

[ellie]

Thanks for that link to

cafepress! I am going to buy some magnets.

[ellie]

87. Edited to delete double posting

[startingnow]

49. Thumbs Up!

:thumbsup:

[jmowreader]

22. It's two smiley faces now

One of them is the original smiley face; the new one's eyes and mouth look more feminine.

[tanyev]

28. And the Target commercials are not annoying.

The Wal-Mart commercials smother you in their down-home, patriotic, God-bless-America treacle. :puke:

[neuvocat]

18. 'cheap chic' huh?

That's an interesting name for a store that doesn't have merchandise looking like it came out of Big Lots (unlike Wal Mart).

[PassingFair]

30. Hey!

Leave BIG LOTS out of this.
I LOVE Big Lots.
Lots.

[neuvocat]

33. Me too.

(got a couple of half-way decent area rugs, coffee cups, dishes, laundry soap, etc. from there) but I also shop at Target, and I know that what they have at Target ain't "cheap chic".

[jhain]

21. and remember the headaches

I know I am not the only person who can not step foot in Wally's World without copping a raging headache.

Couldn't PAY me to go again.

And another thing!

I can find clothing for my 12 yo dd in Target that does NOT make her look like a prostitot. I appreciate that.



Edited to add about the prostitots.

[boddhi]

51. I thought I was just imagining things

I didn't know headaches were a common Mal-Wart experience

I can't go in there, I always thought it was the lights

[jhain]

54. headaches ARE common

the lights,

THE PA SYSTEM THAT IS ALWAYS 1,000 DECIBELS.

I imagine there is universal pesticide usage, too.

[Nikia]

61. I've had a few panic attacks there

Walmart is within short walking distance so I have been in there several times to pick up quick items, like one would pick up at a convience store.
I only get panic attacks occaisionally. That is the only store that I've had full blown panic attacks in and multiple times at that even though I go to other stores more frequently.
I mentioned that to my therapist and said that some of her other clients had the same problem. She thought that it had to do with the crowdedness of the merchandise coupled with a large number of people. Long lines don't help either. I don't know if it is just the local store or not, but the check out clerks are slow, unlike grocery store clerks who seem to be much quicker.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

23. Heh-heh-heh! I just joined Costco!

I've been inside a WalMart once in my life, and I was so underwhelmed that I turned around and walked right back out. That was in about 1992.

[brentspeak]

24. Mall-Wart (n/t)

[Cha]

25. Andrea Warren doesn't know just

how much of a "dirty little secret" it is.

I now cringe when people tell me what they bought at wal mart.

[Sgent]

29. Just one example

I go to target, and I can buy Henkle kitchen knives. They aren't the top line of Hinkle, but they are 10x better than the cheap, crappy knives sold by walmart.

I just wish I had a Target closer than 100 miles. I do most of my shopping in "bluer" stores, but still have to go to Walmart for some stuff -- especially late at night.

[warrens]

31. Every two or three years they say this shit

So far, their sole successes are Ragged Glory jeans and George stuff. George is a European brand they have no control over and Ragged Glory are just basic, but pretty nice, jeans. Otherwise, everything they do is a flop, even their Kathy Lee Gifford crap.

[madrchsod]

32. target and myiers(?)

fuck walmart..the one in my town is the first with concrete floors. there is a coating on the concrete and it`s "cut" into big squares and actually it`s kind`a creepy in some strange way. ya walmart is drab big wharehouse.
their new line of clothing is produced by chinese factories owned by the red army....

[pimpbot]

38. I admit, I buy ONE thing at walmart....

5 gallon jugs of motor oil. I did a search and they are the only ones around me that sell Mobil 1 in the big jug.. it saves some money, plus less throwaway waste (1 jug instead of 5 bottles).

I do feel really dirty though. Everytime I walk in there, I feel brain cells popping. Everyone has a frown, about 5 kids, 3 tattoos, and a cart loaded with frozen hungry man dinners.

I will admit I had to buy a car battery in an emergency (walmart was the only store in walking distance). Those suckers let me return it after I used it for a few days hehehe. I also returned the wrench I had to buy to install the battery! Sorry, my way at getting back at those clowns for showing foxnews on the teevees.

[tammywammy]

36. I love Target

It's always bright and clean. I never really have to wait to check out, there's always plenty of cashiers. The people are friendly and will answer your questions. No matter how crowded the parking lot is, the store is never crowded feeling like Wal-mart is. I only go to Wal-mart if I need something despertely and Target's closed.

[Ian David]

37. Have you ever tried to get "help" at the jewelry counter at Wal-Mart?

From what I understand it's pretty much a "political appointment" gifted upon friends and family of management.

It's always manned by chatty teenage girls babbling away on cellphones to their friends who view customers as an avoidable inconvenience.

[Ian David]

40. Target is better than Wal-Mart, but COSTCO blows them both away

Target Corporation
Rating: Dark Red - 17 %
BuyBlue.org's Position:

Target currently has a 17% BuyBlue rating due to political contributions for the 2003-2004 election cycle. Target executives contributed solely to Republican candidates and Target's Chairman and CEO contributed fairly heavily. Target also has a Political Action Committee which contributed very heavily in the 2003-2004 election cycle weighing in at $173,240 (21.00% D, 78.00% R).

<snip>

Total Spent: $212,440.00
17.13% to Democratic Party candidates
82.06% to Republican Party candidates
0% to Other candidates

More:
http://www.buyblue.org/detail.php?corpId=55


Also:

HoustonChronicle.com -- http://www.HoustonChronicle.com
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/3268811

July 16, 2005, 6:15PM

Is being generous good for business?
Costco CEO profits as he offers top pay, benefits
By STEVEN GREENHOUSE
New York Times

ISSAQUAH, WASH. - Jim Sinegal, the chief executive of Costco Wholesale, the nation's fifth-largest retailer, crows about Costco's private-label pinpoint cotton dress shirts.

"Look, these are just $12.99," he said while lifting a crisp blue button-down inside Costco's cavernous warehouse store here in the company's hometown. "At Nordstrom or Macy's, this is a $45, $50 shirt."

Combining high quality with stunningly low prices, the shirts appeal to upscale customers and epitomize why some retail analysts say Sinegal just might be America's shrewdest merchant since Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart.

But not everyone is happy with Costco's business strategy. Some Wall Street analysts assert that Sinegal is overly generous not only to Costco's customers but to its workers as well.

More:
http://www.buyblue.org/archives/2005/07/costco_v_walmar.html


Also:

January 11, 2005
Costco: Company for the People

There is an excellent article in the Seattle Weekly from the December 15th to 21st issue that you may have missed.

On our Blue Christmas list (returning in less than a week) we had listed Walmart/Sam's as Red and Costco as Blue based strictly on political donations. For most people this didn't come as a real shock. However, this article further expands on that showing that Costco's business practices are very blue as well. Costco values the people that work for them and they value the customer.

According to the article "Costco's average U.S. hourly wage of approximately $16 an hour is widely considered to be the best in the retail business. And its approach to health care, as noted in a report at the time by the financial research and investment firm Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., "has been to provide employees with the best plan at the least expense to the employee."

There have literally been volumes written about how poorly employees that work for Wal-Mart are treated in regards to health care and their wages. A quick google search will turn up scores of articles by major news sources.

These principles carry over to dealing with customers as well: "The financial guys noted another sin: Costco also treats its customers too well. Its bargain prices are legendary and, at the time analysts were tsk tsking, Costco was planning to add staff at checkouts in order to shorten lines."

I'm sure that those of you that have been in a Wal-Mart at any time of the day (even 2 am on a Monday) know that they have just enough staff at the checkout lines to ensure you wait for 30 minutes or more when checking out. They don't care if you wait, they know you'll keep coming back for the prices. To them you aren't a customer, you are a walking wallet.

I guess Wal-Mart feels that because it offers low prices that should carry over to how they compensate their hourly workers and how they treat their customers. Wall Street usually seems to agree with that way of doing business. This in large part is the reason all of us are working so hard on this web site and idea. We want to show people that the days are numbered for the Wal-Mart's of the world and that more companies need to realize that the business practices and principles used by Costco are not only the right thing to do but profitable.

More:
http://www.buyblue.org/archives/2005/01/costco_company_1.html





Costco Wholesale Corporation
Rating: Dark Blue - 99 %
BuyBlue.org's Position:

Costco Wholesale currently has a 99% BuyBlue rating due to political contributions for the 2003-2004 election cycle. Costco executives contributed heavily to Democratic candidates for Congress and some in high-profile Senate races including Barack Obama and Tom Daschle, and many Democratic candidates for President.

Furthermore, according to the Seattle Weekly (December 15-21) Costco also treats their employees extremely well. "Costco's average U.S. hourly wage of approximately $16 an hour is widely considered to be the best in the retail business. And its approach to health care, as noted in a report at the time by the financial research and investment firm Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., "has been to provide employees with the best plan at the least expense to the employee."

Costco is leading the way by showing that you can make progressive values profitable in business.

More:
http://www.buyblue.org/detail.php?corpId=17

[Digit]

43. Unfortunately, COSTCO is 25 miles away at least

..and that is each way.
If they were not so far away, I would definitely go.

[WildClarySage]

41. Brand perception has nothing to do with why I won't spend a dime

at MalWart.

Their poor business practices do.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

44. Wal-Mart isn't "socially approved" like Target,

What a shame that to receive "social approval", they merely need to be chic.

If only people kept a closer watch on these companies' human rights records: http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/sweatshops/scorecard.cfm

[Maat]

45. There are SO many reasons not to shop at Wal-Mart.

1. Their labor practices; a friend who works in the local welfare office states that Wal-Mart workers are so poor they qualify for California's Healthy Families program; Wal-Mart does not provide health insurance.

2. They censor their customers' reading material, refusing to stock progressive books, such as "America the Book" (Jon Stewart's effort).

3. They refuse to stock the Morning After Pill, and this is a corporate-wide policy.

4. America's city's are going bankrupt catering to Wal-Mart.

5. Their OVERSEAS labor practices are unconscionable; one of their contractors locked workers inside, and compelled women to take constant pregnancy tests (they were fired immediately upon knowledge of a pregnancy).

So many reasons, so little time.

[underpants]

53. Check out the social services cost per Walmart store

If memory serves I think two studies have been done

In Wisconsin each Walmart costs about $3 Million a year in social services to the employees

California-about $5 Million a year.

Walmart employees (40% turn over each year) get paid so little they often qualify for social services from the state.

Tell THAT to a Walmart shopper (especially RWers) and watch their jaw drop open.

[Maat]

67. Yep.

And they always seem so unhappy.

And CostCo employees are always laughing and talking with you!

[nolabels]

82. Or kind of pushy and in a hurry

Like their jobs really did matter(imagine that), I have seen both.

I like Costco also because it caters to people buying in bulk who want decent merchandise at decent prices not just cheap shit.

I like Target because it has a fair layout for browsing that doesn't try to play with your head too much. Also they stock the shelves well.

[Bombero1956]

72. funny you should mention that

I was in a local Wal-Mart yesterday (department business not buying). I had a meeting with a contractor and the store manager. On the buletin board there was a sign listing turnover for the last and this year. Turnover for 2004 was 41.70%. For this year it stands at 40.90% and they are very proud of that(I wouldn't be). I also had to warn them about blocked aisles. and blocked access to the fire alarm panel.

[loudsue]

46. One dollar spent at Wal-Mart is One dollar spent to support the bush mafia

... and their economic philosophy.

Hmmmmm. I think I'll pass.

It's a no-brainer.




:kick::kick::kick:

[SeattleGirl]

47. NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Make them stop, please make them stop! They are devouring the land and the people. There will be nothing left. They must be stopped!

:evilgrin:

[artemisia1]

48. Thanks for reminding me to shop at Target! eom

[agincourt]

55. When I shop at a major chain,

I look at how run down the employees look. In my town the Wal-mart employees actually do look more run down than the Target ones. Many times the Wal-mart employees look like they have worked a 12 hour shift. That's why I don't shop there.

[WCGreen]

57. That is like saying Popeye Chicken is targeting Morton Steakhouse

come on WalMart guy, give us a break....

Tar JAy developed as the a;tentative to Wahl Mart on it's own. they didn't have a mess of marketing MBA's sitting around that came up with the tar jay campaign...

Twenty Fucking years of smiley faces telling us they have the low prices ain't gonna be erased by a new campaign.....

That's like spending millions of dollars to convince the American people your war decorated opponent is a traitor.....

Oh yea, that does work....

But if you take the bait and then find out it is a fraud, you never go back...... 42% approval ratings..... less than eights after the election....

[Orsino]

58. Heads up, Wal-Mart "Associates"

Your management will be squeezing you even harder in order to finance the new advertising offensive, and still lower prices--while the Bastards of Bentonville laugh.

[bitchkitty]

59. Target is Walmart with a shower and clean clothes.

If there were nowhere in the world to shop except Walmart or Target, I would shop Target. But since there are any number of small businesses, and there's a big wide HUGE choice of places to buy on the Net, I will be staying out of Target for a long while to come.

[Javaman]

60. Notice how when China no longer bases it's Yen on the dollar....

And as a result all imports from there will go up (aka the shit at china-mart).

China-mart suddenly changes it's course to try and go "upscale" to compete with Target. Why? Because their crap from china is costing more. When was the last time you saw a china-mart commercial touting lower prices??? They are just going to charge more for the same shit, and put it in a fancier packages.

I truly find them completely dispicable.

[TommyO]

62. Target, yes. Costco, yes.

Wal-Mart, NO!

In the area I'm in, there are five Wal-Marts within easy driving distance, there is one Target close by, and a Target Greatland about twenty minutes away. There is also a Target Greatland and Costco near my office. Even better, there's a real possibility that there will be a Costco just fifteen minutes from where I live.

Wal-Mart and Sam's Club don't get a dime of my money anymore. Even if Wal-Mart offers more upscale merchandise, it's their labor, buying, and social practices that keep me out of the store.

[lakeguy]

63. I wll NEVER shop at walmart...

i'd rather go without.

[dejaboutique]

69. Don't touch Target biatches!

Don't mess with target, the bloomingdales of all department stores. I hate walmart

[YOY]

79. Target and Walmart are not "department stores"

They are both (with K-mart) classified as "discount stores"

"Department stores" are Macy's, and of the May company's branches (there is a shitty company for you), Dillards, etc...

[Rainscents]

70. I refuse to surrender to Wal Mart!

They're the one running small business out of business! I hate the basters with all my heart! Costco, Macy's and Orgainc store all the way!!!

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

71. Ha ha, No way will I shop at Walmart

No amount of 'image rehaul' could brainwash me into contributing to their evil. Give the employees their damn union & liveable wages, maybe I'll *think* about it. 'Til then, NO WAY!

[Democrats_win]

74. Wal-Mart school supply dirve: you donate supplies to bins, manager

puts the supplies back on the shelf to sell to another sucker.

True story. They steal from our children.

[GetTheRightVote]

76. I do not shop Wal-Mart because of their own practices against

workers not the clothes or fashion they carry. I boycott them period.

:kick:

[SquireJons]

77. Attention K-Mart...er, I mean Wal-Mart Shoppers!

You get what you pay for and that's why you're here. We modled ourselves after the big red K, we have their former patrons and sooner or later we will share a similar fate.

(Personally, I can hardly wait. Too bad they can't take NASCAR down with them)

[roscoeroscoe]

83. my wife was a dedicated wal mart type when i met her...

so i had to be multi-cultural and go with the flow. there are good prices on food, have to say. but she grew to agree with my feeling that we wouldn't mess with the rest of the store. ugly! crazed! we wait to check out, marveling at the chaos around us.
love to get this and that from target, it's fun to shop there because of the silly styles.
got a costco membership now. love it.

[brainshrub]

89. COSTCO is great.

Great service, reasonable lines, not as chaotic.

Also, COSTCO's don't stink of desperation.

[Arianrhod]

84. I've never bought a single thing at Wal-Mart. And never will. n/t

[sendero]

85. I've set my sights on Brad Pitt..

... but somehow, I don't think he's too worried about it. Angelina's not going to be looking my way any time soon. :)

You really can't turn a sow's ear into a silk purse. Cheapness pervades everything Wally World does, and they are not going to be able to change that.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

90. We're still fighting their attempts to build a store near us..this is #3

attmept by wm in the last 2 1/2 yrs. to build in this area.

The other two got shot down, so they're being really tenacious this time.

MKJ
http://www.no72ndavewalmart.com/index.html

[ProudDad]

91. If you must consume

Target (17%) BAD, BAD, BAD (worse than Wal-Mart at 22%)

Costco (99%) good.

Kmart (50%) (oddly enough) is nuetral...


Don't buy red, buy Blue...

http://www.buyblue.org/rankedlist.php

[Omaha Steve]

92. Documentary film on Wal-mart this November

My wife and I will be hosting a showing of the anti Wal-mart film. Here is some film info.

http://www.walmartmovie.com /

http://www.walmartmovie.com/teaser_wmp.php

We have been living Wal-mart free for about a year now.

The PBS special Is Wal-mart good for America was excellent too.

http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/walmart/

Wal-mart always low wages, ALWAYS!