Wal-Mart plans to help rival small businesses

[IDemo]

Retailer trying to modify its corporate culture while remaining competitive

Updated: 3:43 p.m. ET April 17, 2006

NEW YORK - After years of accusations that it caused the demise of thousands of smaller merchants, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is undertaking an unusual strategy: helping competing local establishments stay in business.

Wal-Mart recasting itself as a friendly neighbor? It’s the latest course change by the world’s largest merchant as it tries to modify its corporate culture — and the perception that it’s a ruthless competitor obsessed with maintaining its dominance of the retail industry.

Wal-Mart’s proposal to help rival small businesses, from bakeries to hardware stores, focuses on blighted urban markets where the retailer plans to open 50 stores within the next two years. The efforts will range from giving those businesses financial grants to producing free radio ads that will be broadcast on its stores’ radio network.

The image makeover extends to Wal-Mart’s selling floor as well. In recent months, for example, it has embraced organic products from baby clothes to fish caught in ecologically friendly ways.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12357147/

[MrModerate]

1. Wouldn't be the first time in human history . . .

A group of human beings figured out that slash-and-burn agriculture paid only (relatively) short-term benefits.

Interesting. We'll see.

[joemurphy]

2. Right, any small business want that help? Step right up!

A kinder, gentler Wal-Mart is in the offing!

Why do I remain unconvinced?

[Jane Austin]

8. Where do I sign up?

No, seriously!

[unblock]

3. pre-emptive anti-trust defense.

shades of microsoft investing in apple....

[NYC]

4. Wal-Mart has a radio network?

...radio ads that will be broadcast on its stores’ radio network...

And they are trying to open a bank.

[IDemo]

7. You'll get a toaster made by 12 year-olds in China for opening an account

[NYC]

12. Just what I always wanted.

Does China use child labor? Actually, I think their products fall apart because of the materials. I don't know about the labor.

[IDemo]

18. Unless this source is totally wrong, child labor is very common ->

China’s child labor is a huge problem, and there is clear evidence that child labor is increasing in China. Although there is no official figure on the number of children working in China, it is estimated by many that of the 10 million children out of school, over 5 million are working in factories. There are some who even consider this a conservative estimate. It was reported in Sichuan, China’s most populated province, that 85% of children who drop out of school are working elsewhere. Even in some less populated rural provinces, over 20% of the work force is made up of children.

[Maine-ah]

15. I believe the radio network is in store only

it's not out there on the public airwaves. *I think*

[C_U_L8R]

5. said the spider to the fly

[paul_fromatlanta]

6. Do the stores sell things Walmart also sells?

If they do then how is Walmart gonna help them, raise Walmart prices? I doubt it.

If the stores don't sell the same things then there is no reason for Walmart to put them out of business in the first place.

[onehandle]

9. Sure they will. They'll spend a couple of million on this...

...and a couple of hundred million on promoting their "charitable acts".

Fuck them.

[0007]

16. 'Tis all PR planned on changing the image of Wal-Mart.

Can it get any worse?

[godhatesrepublicans]

10. as said by countless audiences in countless movie theaters...

"RUN, fool! It's a trap!!!

[Toucano]

11. Leopards don't change their spots. n/t

[pinniped]

13. Just a bunch of baseless accusations.

After years of accusations that it caused the demise of thousands of smaller merchants

All those small businesses are just operating in stealth mode.

Where aisle are Polo and Burberry located?

The image makeover extends to Wal-Mart’s selling floor as well.

[anotherdrew]

14. is this Corporate Communism? seems like they admit there is a problem n/t

[wordpix2]

17. WalMart's PR: communities don't want us so we'll "help" our rivals

A few $million to keep the rival businesses quiet is money well spent since WalMart will make billions off 50 stores opening in the next 2 yrs.