Well Pam, there is no question that Wal-Mart needs to be overhauled. Perhaps Ross Perot can maybe buy into this chain and put his money where his mouth is. We can see if he really has the business horse sense he's hyped to have. Maybe he really can turn it around.With this being a good economy, and all the quality people going to the higher paying jobs, looks like Wally World is attracting all the bozos like a magnet, people that nobody wants even in an employee's market. And really, I don't see that much of a price advantage on many items. In fact the national brand chips and snacks are the exact same price as at the major supermarkets. Maybe compared to the smalltime merchants, the prices look better though.
I don't go there often because many of the prices really aren't that breathtaking to where it's "worth" the compromise in service and general courtesy. The places I go most often to buy my paper towels, TP, and hygiene items are stores like Dollar General and close-out places like Big Lots. You really do save at those places. But admittedly the courtesy varies. Many of the clerks don't smile, and they talk like they're bored to death. But with prices at a steal, I don't care.
What might help the small business owners is they might try getting more aggressive at demanding better prices from their suppliers, and also get the politicans' attention while they're at it. That is, push, and push hard for a fair tax system, which I can't go into detail about in this room. The Government, which produces nothing but takes way too much, needs to learn to get by with less $$.
In closing, I'm not out to shut Wal-Mart down or restrict the chain's growth. But their working environment and customer service needs serious work, by a no-bullshit person who would do Sam Walton proud.
Mike.
