Wal-Mart Targets Upscale Shoppers

[katty]

excerpt: Plano, Tx
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/UPSCALE_WAL_MART?SITE=7219&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-03-22-02-52-44

...In its boldest effort yet to target upscale shoppers, the nation's largest retailer is opening a new store this week with an expanded selection of high-end electronics, more fine jewelry, hundreds of types of wine ranging up to $500 a bottle, and even a sushi bar.

Wal-Mart says it won't duplicate this format anywhere else. But if plasma TVs, microbrewery beer and fancy balsamic vinegar sell in Plano, those items could be added to stores in other affluent communities.

Retail experts say nearly half of American families shop at Wal-Mart at least once a week. They say the retail giant has nearly tapped out its middle-class base and must attract consumers who love Target and Costco but not Wal-Mart.

[azmouse]

1. Nothing they do would make me shop at Walmart.

Except for paying decent wages and benefits to their employees. And even then, my aversion is so strong I don't know if I could overcome it.

[katty]

2. never shopped there(where I live no WM)never will

[Jayhawk Lib]

5. I really have no idea what Walmart pays...

Are they any less than the other retail stores such as Best Buy, K-Mart, and the rest of the retail stores? From what I hear none of the retailers pay very much.

[Not Sure]

3. Sadly, this will most likely catch on

There are enough "paycheck-away-from-being-homeless*" folks, even in upscale Plano, that I don't doubt this will succeed. You pretty much have to shop at Walmart to be able to pay for that half million dollar tract home and the $1000/month electric bill, even if you don't want to be seen there or have it in your neighborhood. I'll stick to my blue collar neighborhood and mom-and-pop stores...

* My wife's favorite expression

[MichiganVote]

4. The stores are dirty, the merchandise is crappy and the employees

look burned out. Shop Costco, its a pleasure and just as cheap.

[MasonJar]

6. Good, let them waste their money, trying to get Barbara and

George, Sr in there. They think they are classy, whether anyone does or not.

[jschurchin]

7. Isn't Wal-Mart and Upscale an.......

Oxymoron!!!!

[sarcasmo]

8. When I saw that title I quickly thought of the word oxymoron.

Great minds think alike.

[bedpanartist]

9. Wal-Mart is Ghetto as hell...

and this new scheme will probably catch on in among the paxil popping suburban set.

[mitchum]

10. And this isn't from "The Onion"!

It's perfectly hilarious, though. The concept, location...