Leaving Wal-Mart with a changed outlook?

[GSCJR]

Years ago I was at both Costco locations in Mississauga. What was surprising to me, was on the overhead, it said to watch one's belongings. Never heard anything like that at a Costco.

Sad, but true.

 

[AZjeff]

You have to go with percentage of products sold that originated in the PRC.

Various sources estimate the percentage of walmart products imported from China at 60%, the highest of the big box stores. It had been 80% so they're sourcing from different countries. Can't find a time frame or the countries.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder Beerholder.

FIFY.

Where else would you be able to find Walmartians

 

[SC Maintenance]

To the best of my knowledge, Wal Mart continues to make some attempt, even if just token, to sell American produced products. That can't be said for Target, Amazon, Harbor Freight, Tractor Supply, etc.

No, I was not including grocery sales as part of my assessment.

I know they assemble bikes here - well a company in SC does - but there still technically made in China.

They are still selling USA made oil filters. Unfortunately that hasn't turned out well as of late. All the prescription Pharma is pretty much now made in China. Walmart used to be good about selling made in USA fishing stuff while Bass pro was not, - but unfortunately that has dried up also - most of the tackle is Chinese. You mentioned harbor freight as worse, but everything in WM tool and hardware section is China - or other Asian place.

I don't blame Walmart FWIW, but I don't see how Wal-Mart can be sourcing US made stuff while everyone continues to sell Chinese. Maybe WM goes to other Asian countries instead. What is the basis for your assessment? Are you simply tracking China vs not China - ie other Asian suppliers OK, or China vs USA?

 

[shortyb]

At least for me this requires a $35 min purchase. Not sure if waived for plus members.

It is. Free shipping for Plus members. I recently dropped Amazon Prime over price and all the games they play. 1 month into Walmart Plus membership and I got an offer to switch to an annual membership for $49 instead of the monthly $12.98. I can get anything at WM I could at the Zon and not have to wait if I don't want to. Free delivery for most stuff I need from the local Supercenter with an hour. Or I can swing by and do Pick-up while I'm out. But then I don't get to see all the beautiful people inside the store .

 

[iahawk]

Nope…Walmart came to town and forced out many long time, local small businesses. Then they made many workers part time with no benefits which forced many to seek additional gov’t assistance. Poor and struggling, forced to shop at Walmart…..wait a minute, maybe it’s a genius, diabolical move!

 

[RooflessVW]

I only go to Walmart for clearance items. Oil and Lego, mostly. Couple times a year maybe.

All my local Wal-Marts are either in less friendly areas or out of the way.

 

[SC Maintenance]

At least for me this requires a $35 min purchase. Not sure if waived for plus members.

I like many prices such as DOT 3 brake fluid. Or everyday prices on motor oil. But I want to get in and out. Unlike Costco where I flirt with employees and have to be asked to leave as they are closing

I just add something I would buy anyway.

What I despise is walmart delivery, which around here is nothing more than walmart theft. Pretty sure there drivers all come to drive for Walmart on work release from the local minimum security prison. I always try to add something to my order that I know they don't stock, like a good coffee, and then mark ship complete so fedex brings it.

 

[edyvw]

Nothing says race to the bottom like Walmart.
Unfortunately, small grocery stores were killed a long time ago.
The only big retailer I have respect for is Costco, and that is because they pay workers well and provide good benefits.

 

[loneryder]

Many also assume ice hockey is the national pastime.

My travel to Canada over my lifetime, has mostly been to Quebec, then Ontario. About 7 years ago through work, I got some understanding on the conflict with the languages.

Have fond memories of Rue Sainte-Catherine back to the late 80’s.

Whenever I point out how things were much better then, my buddy quotes Ecclesiastes.

P.s. Walmart has the best prices in the world on some items. LA Looks gel, $2.58. But the nearest Walmart to me, people have been murdered at. I say the chances are small anything would happen if I just sneak in and get the gel. The one that I go to during lunch at work, doesn’t carry it. That’s safe and empty when I go.

Is your name Gavin Newsome?

 

[Hermann]

Yesterday, I was at Wal-Mart for the first time since Christmas, and I get the below graphic.

Of note, I am someone who is grateful for Wal-Mart. It's current CEO started out in 1984 as an hourly associate (not some Harvard MBA). Wal-Mart appears to be too large for "activist investors" to force short term moves that hurt a steady business model (Southwest Airlines is the latest example of this). Wal Mart isn't playing electronic coupon and other games. I am a fan of Wal Mart on a macro basis. Maybe the last big retailer to not spend every minute of the day trying to figure out ways to exploit every transaction from its customers. Just have a lot of selection, and generally fair prices.

View attachment 293052

WalMart leaves a different impression which each new location. My local WM, is probably in the hate to say it, the top ten of stores in the company. It is a pleasant place to let go of your bread (money) to get their bread (mdse) from them. My wish is that your WM improves to the level that I am blessed with.

Where else can you g0 and walk three laps of the exterior walls and get your mile in.

 

[Rmay635703]

When I shop at Wally World (not all that often), I see beautiful people everywhere.

 

[4WD]

WalMart leaves a different impression which each new location. My local WM is probably in the hate to say it, the top ten of stores in the company. It is a pleasant place to let go of your bread (money) to get the bread (mdse) from them. My wish is that your WM improves to the level that I am blessed with.

Yep - Nothing wrong with our small town Walmart - this is just one more chance to jump on a cardboard pedestal by bashing something …

 

[JeffKeryk]

Nope…Walmart came to town and forced out many long time, local small businesses. Then they made many workers part time with no benefits which forced many to seek additional gov’t assistance. Poor and struggling, forced to shop at Walmart…..wait a minute, maybe it’s a genius, diabolical move!

Yep. So did the original "Supermarkets", Costco, you name it. Progress.... Capitalism is about winners and losers. Everything changes.
Some towns will not let Costco come in because they will consume local businesses, gas stations...

 

[IndyIan]

Going into Walmart for almost anything but groceries, makes me glad we have Canadian Tire... Canadian tire still is mostly chinese stuff, but with better quality control/product selection, inventory management that is up to date and searchable, decent to lifetime warranty on things, and they have more mid size stores in smaller towns. And it doesn't usually cost any more than walmart. Also the inventory is more customized for the local market.

If I want some inexpensive clothes, I head to Giant Tiger, which is like a mini walmart that is also usually cheaper with better selection, and some of them have groceries too.

Canadian tire also sponsors a lot of kids sports programs and tends to be contributing members of our community. The local store will sponsor a house league hockey association. Walmart seems to be more of a money vacuum that only fills the local dump with plastic junk.... I've never heard of walmart doing anything for the community here?

 

[Owen Lucas]

In my area there are WM that have been taken over by recent immigrants to Canada, the staff and the shoppers look at me and the question on their faces is " why are you in our store?" However, these people are dressed better than what I used to see in the same store.

I respect that all people living in Canada, in the past or current have come from somewhere else. Even the indigenous came over the land bridge of Asia to North America eons ago. We all stayed because we love Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons. Can't speak for Americans.

Voting has consequences…

I am so grateful that my local Walmart is actually one of the nicest ones I’ve been to. We don’t even have a receipt checker. Occasionally you will see people wearing pajamas in the afternoon, but that’s the worst of our miscreants.

When I go to the inner city Walmart, it is like a completely different Alien experience. The parking lot looks like a junkyard with all the wrecked vehicles, garbage everywhere. The smell of marijuana and it doesn’t feel safe.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Nothing says race to the bottom like Walmart.
Unfortunately, small grocery stores were killed a long time ago.
The only big retailer I have respect for is Costco, and that is because they pay workers well and provide good benefits.

Isn't Costco the biggest retailer in the world? I'm not sure that's the bottom.

Edit: I meant Walmart not Costco. Sometimes I fat-finger the keys...
Thanks @SC Maintenance

 

[SC Maintenance]

Isn't Costco the biggest retailer in the world? I'm not sure that's the bottom.

Walmart and Amazon are both 3X revenue globally.

 

[edyvw]

Isn't Costco the biggest retailer in the world? I'm not sure that's the bottom.

Edit: I meant Walmart not Costco. Sometimes I fat-finger the keys...
Thanks @SC Maintenance

The thing is, when I go to buy tires at Costco, it is always the same people working. I have Walmart 3mls from home that I spend every day in, I think: Diapers, baby food etc. etc. And I have a feeling every day it is someone new. There is a reason why people work so long at Costco or all their life.

 

[JeffKeryk]

The thing is, when I go to buy tires at Costco, it is always the same people working. I have Walmart 3mls from home that I spend every day in, I think: Diapers, baby food etc. etc. And I have a feeling every day it is someone new. There is a reason why people work so long at Costco or all their life.

Costco is a great place to work for many, especially in the retail space.
They pay better and, my understanding is, offer medical from day 1. The workers seem to be happy.