Something's wrong with Walmart

[Engineer]

Wallymart is in a race to the bottom with itself and any retailer stupid enough to follow.

Not only that, as they "force" more and more offshoring (for lower prices), they are dragging the rest of the US with them.

 

[sourn]

lol

I rarely buy much in grocery items at stores of that nature.

It's all about TRUE grocery stores.
For most items, a full grocery store is going to have better prices than a mixed selection store.

And I clearly stated that Walmart has the largest selection of all similar stores (Target, Kmart, etc). But I make up for that fact by, instead of attempting to get everything at one store (bad idea all around), I instead purposefully shop at two stores. I get a FAR LARGER overall selection between Target and Kroger when compared to Walmart.
It might still cost me a few percentage points over Walmart (can't guarantee that's even true), but it's easily worth it for the shopping experience.
And I'm basically poor (my lot in life is improving, just recently started a new job that pays much better than my last one).
It also helps that, in a shopping complex less than 5 minutes away I have both Kroger and Target available - it takes me nearly 20 minutes to get to the nearest Walmart. It's just not worth it if all other factors were even the same - but, well... people of Walmart... and that concept holds true for the employees, which I've always found to be pathetic. Even when I made minimum wage, I remember bending over backwards for customer service. These clowns just straight up never want to do a damn thing worthwhile. If I'm pissed off every time I shop, I'd have to be saving at least 50% every time I shopped to actually put up with that headache.

Maybe were you live.

Walmart usually beats out all other stores. The only thing I won't buy at walmart is meat.

And by the way there is nothing classy about shopping at target lol!

 

[desura]

The only retailer that I would consider classy shopping would have to be Whole Foods. Even going to like Abercrombie or whatever designer clothes label is in the mall is slightly trashy in my book. I mean, you have to go food shopping every week, while the clothes you wear could last you years without replacement.

 

[WelshBloke]

And most don't shop at Target either, so what's the difference? Target sells shit brands it's just typically a cleaner store. But that doesn't make what's inside any higher quality.

Did I suggest target was better? I don't even know what the hell target is.

Although just being in a cleaner environment sounds better for a start.

 

[BUTCH1]

Did I suggest target was better? I don't even know what the hell target is.

Although just being in a cleaner environment sounds better for a start.

Walmat's vary quite a bit from store to store, I've seen some clean and run well and some quite dumpy, depends on the area and/or the store's management.

 

[desura]

Walmat's vary quite a bit from store to store, I've seen some clean and run well and some quite dumpy, depends on the area and/or the store's management.

What I'm trying to get at is that having "sale" tables in the middle of aisles is not a good sign for the company. It's sloppy in presentation (even for Walmart) and it's evidence that their supply chain mastery isn't as good as it used to be (very serious problem)

Possibly a sign that it's time to short Walmart stock.

 

[Wyndru]

I'm not typical ATOT rich, but a little bit?? I save A SHIT TON shopping at Walmart. I get twice as much natural PB for the same price at Walmart as opposed to Target. I would say I easily save 30% shopping there, maybe 30%'s "a little" to you, but to me that's enough to make me trek to Wally's World. Also the selection isn't even close, Target has a fraction of the items, and sells them at much higher prices.

This. My wife also buys a ton of groceries at Walmart because they undercut everyone else by quite a bit.

Pasta, rice, cereal, you name it...it's way cheaper (name brands, I'm not talking generic). Even bread is like $2 a loaf less than everywhere else.

It's all about TRUE grocery stores.
For most items, a full grocery store is going to have better prices than a mixed selection store.

Not sure where you live, but this is not the case in my area, and we have 3 "true" grocery stores right in my town competing (Shop Rite, Price Chopper and Hannaford). Wally World still undercuts them all on most items...and by a decent percentage, not just pennies.

This shouldn't be a surprise though, have you ever seen the scale of their distribution centers? They sell so much more product nationally than anyone else, especially "little" regional grocery stores.

 

[BUTCH1]

What I'm trying to get at is that having "sale" tables in the middle of aisles is not a good sign for the company. It's sloppy in presentation (even for Walmart) and it's evidence that their supply chain mastery isn't as good as it used to be (very serious problem)

Possibly a sign that it's time to short Walmart stock.

Yep, if they are so stupid as to not keep shelves stocked I'd say so, does any manager have half a brain nowadays?, "wow I saved a ton on payroll" but not notice or hear about customers leaving in droves to shop elsewhere?, dumb and dumber..

 

[OlafSicky]

This. My wife also buys a ton of groceries at Walmart because they undercut everyone else by quite a bit.

Pasta, rice, cereal, you name it...it's way cheaper (name brands, I'm not talking generic). Even bread is like $2 a loaf less than everywhere else.


Not sure where you live, but this is not the case in my area, and we have 3 "true" grocery stores right in my town competing (Shop Rite, Price Chopper and Hannaford). Wally World still undercuts them all on most items...and by a decent percentage, not just pennies.

I'm curious after eating Walmart food are you a picture of health and fitness?

 

[Wyndru]

I'm curious after eating Walmart food are you a picture of health and fitness?

I don't understand this question.

Is their food supposed to be different?

 

[Anubis]

anytime I have to go to WalMart a little piece of me dies.

then by all means keep going


anyway there are 2 walmarts near me and i don't buy food at them, they however are great for things like paper plates, pens, napkins and all the general household crap you may or may not need, light bulbs and all that crap. cheap undershirts and socks

also for things like movies and video games, they are the only option for B&M within 50 miles

 

[lxskllr]

This. My wife also buys a ton of groceries at Walmart because they undercut everyone else by quite a bit.

Pasta, rice, cereal, you name it...it's way cheaper (name brands, I'm not talking generic). Even bread is like $2 a loaf less than everywhere else.

My Walmart is more expensive than pretty much every grocer in my area, from small independents, to premium grocers, but probably not ultra premiums. They can't even touch Aldi. They aren't in the same ballpark for price. Walmart to Aldi is like Wegmans to Shop Rite as far as prices go.

 

[Wyndru]

My Walmart is more expensive than pretty much every grocer in my area, from small independents, to premium grocers, but probably not ultra premiums. They can't even touch Aldi. They aren't in the same ballpark for price. Walmart to Aldi is like Wegmans to Shop Rite as far as prices go.

I'm surprised to hear this.

What is Aldi? We have 2 in our area, but I was under the impression it was store that only sold generic brands for people that don't have a lot of money (and use food stamps).

Is it a normal grocery store?

 

[lxskllr]

What is Aldi? We have 2 in our area, but I was under the impression it was store that only sold generic brands for people that don't have a lot of money (and use food stamps).

Is it a normal grocery store?

You more or less got it, but their generics are as good as national brands(Kraft, Hormel, Green Giant...). The selection is very small. They have what you need, but not a lot of choice. It's setup like a warehouse where goods are left in boxes, and stacked. To carry groceries, you can use a box free(my preference, they're good for recyclables), or bring/buy bags. To use a shopping cart you unlock it with a quarter, and you get the quarter back when you dock it. That keeps asshats from leaving carts out, and prevents damage. They utilize every method of cutting costs, and that gets passed to the consumer. It's not an elegant shopping experience, but you can save a ton of money. You probably won't get everything you want there, but combining a trip with a regular grocer will leave you more cash.

Btw, they sometimes get special purchase items of either premium American foods, or European imports. All excellent quality, and great prices. It's German owned I believe.

 

[Wyndru]

You more or less got it, but their generics are as good as national brands(Kraft, Hormel, Green Giant...). The selection is very small. They have what you need, but not a lot of choice. It's setup like a warehouse where goods are left in boxes, and stacked. To carry groceries, you can use a box free(my preference, they're good for recyclables), or bring/buy bags. To use a shopping cart you unlock it with a quarter, and you get the quarter back when you dock it. That keeps asshats from leaving carts out, and prevents damage. They utilize every method of cutting costs, and that gets passed to the consumer. It's not an elegant shopping experience, but you can save a ton of money. You probably won't get everything you want there, but combining a trip with a regular grocer will leave you more cash.

Btw, they sometimes get special purchase items of either premium American foods, or European imports. All excellent quality, and great prices. It's German owned I believe.

Nice, I might check them out on our next trip. I do like saving money :awe:.

I just remembered we also have a Trader Joes, so that's actually 4 "true" grocery stores within a mile of my house, a BJ's Wholesale club, Sams Club, a Target and Walmart close by.

It's crazy how they can even survive being so close to each other. When Shop Rite came in, they installed a huge gas station and you get something like 10 cents off a gallon if you use their card. It's larger than any Mobil that we have in the area lol. And price chopper advantage card gives you money off of gas also, and BJ's has gas pumps too.

I think they all do online ordering and delivery or pickup now too. They actually have people get your stuff for you and you just drive up and they load your car (or deliver it to your house). I know shop rite and price chopper definitely do this, not sure about the smaller ones.

Grocery stores are out of control these days. Reminds me of when Pharmacies popped up everywhere about a decade ago (and half of them went out of business a few years later), but this is an even bigger scale. I wonder if the bubble will pop eventually.

 

[lxskllr]

Nice, I might check them out on our next trip. I do like saving money :awe:.

Canned vegetables are a winner, and checkout the cheese section. They sometimes get some interesting stuff. Cereal is good, and they have decent frozen salmon. Milk is $1 cheaper per gallon than anyone around here. Produce can be iffy. It's usually average-below average, but they sometimes get excellent stuff. It varies week to week. Don't write it off if it sucks when you see it. They might have something better next week. If you like Spam, the Brookdale luncheon loaf is just as good. I also like the Italian sausage. I dunno about the rest of the meat, I don't really buy it for the house. I've historically been skeptical of pre-packed meat. I'd rather get that from a butcher, but their's may be fine, I just can't recommend it.

Household staples are good too. Cooking oil, baking soda, seasonings... It's hard to screw those up, so they'll always be a safe purchase.

 

[manimal]

Hard to believe Walmart could make so many missteps. Their upper middle management lost a ton of talent over the last 10 years.

First they erode the customer experience and then start to squeeze their talent on the floor. What kind of idiots are running that asylum.....

 

[lxskllr]

What kind of idiots are running that asylum.....

Accountants. The only thing that matters is the next quarter for shareholders. That's why I avoid publicly traded companies when possible.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

So anyways,

The purpose of this thread is that I think it might be smart to short Walmart stock.

The reason is that, visiting the stores I am detecting their operations are slipping. Eventually this will be reflected in the stock price.

Bwahahahaha. You think stock prices have some connection with reality?

 

[BudAshes]

If you shop at walmart your patriotism is dead. End of story. It's not made in america, the people working there are paid by the federal government so essentially american taxes pay most of the salary/medical for their workers, and they actively try to destroy local businesses.

 

[desura]

Bwahahahaha. You think stock prices have some connection with reality?

Yes, I do.

 

[manimal]

If you shop at walmart your patriotism is dead. End of story. It's not made in america, the people working there are paid by the federal government so essentially american taxes pay most of the salary/medical for their workers, and they actively try to destroy local businesses.

I remember the first time I was at walmart I saw Made in america labels on almost everything including their store brand stuff. Was a lifetime ago I know.


Walmart will struggle the better the economy does. They do little to retain talent and as the workforce has more choices walmart sees less quality employees.

 

[BUTCH1]

My Walmart is more expensive than pretty much every grocer in my area, from small independents, to premium grocers, but probably not ultra premiums. They can't even touch Aldi. They aren't in the same ballpark for price. Walmart to Aldi is like Wegmans to Shop Rite as far as prices go.

That's strange, Wally usually never loses on price, it's just a YMMV situation as to stock/service level, the one near me actually has been better than a few years ago when it was common to be behind 8-9 people to check out..

 

[Orsorum]

Accountants. The only thing that matters is the next quarter for shareholders. That's why I avoid publicly traded companies when possible.

As an accountant, I agree.

*NEVER* let accountants run a business.

 

[tfinch2]

I feel sorry for all you poor souls who can't grocery shop at HEB.