300 items go back on shelf at Wal-Mart

Retailer: Inventory cuts drove off some shoppers

By Steve Painter

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is taking a step back from its recent push to reduce the number of products on the shelves of its supercenters and discount stores across the nation.

Bill Simon, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Wal-Mart U.S., told retail analysts last week that the company is restoring about 300 products previously pulled from the company’s stores.

Speaking at a Bank of America Merrill Lynch conference Thursday, Simon said last year’s upgrade and reintroduction of its private label Great Value brand, which reaches across several product categories, may have been misinterpreted as a move away from name-brand products.

“We are a house of brands. We prefer to sell national brands,” Simon told the ...

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Business, Pages 69 on 03/14/2010

Comments

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This article just proves what most people have always known about Wal-Mart - It's arrogance. First they drive out the competition, then decide, based on their profit margins, what products should be offered. It says right here in black and white that their goal is to limit your options. I often tell people about shopping in other parts of the country where there is still competion. I feel like someone from east of the Iron Curtain who just entered a market in the west - all those different products that you didn't know even existed. Wal-Mart is the retail version of Big Brother; We know what is best for you, We know what you need and We know how much you should spend. I'm tired of being manipulated - I'll vote with my feet - if theres anywhere left to go.

Posted by: cjranger

March 14, 2010 at 10:06 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

I'm glad to see that someone else shares my thoughts on Wal-Mart. It is despicable the trash they sell the public in the Midwest and the South. Go to the East coast and walk into ANY grocery store and you will not believe your eyes! Wal-Mart has created this culinary wasteland in the heartland of America. Their attitude is "We know whats best because you are ignorant pawns in our retail game. You dont have any rights to have quality, healthful, tasteful foods. Just buy the junk we decide you need and get out!" I see Wal-Mart as the Gestapo of grocery stores! Hooray for competition!!!!

Posted by: Kendylsdaddy

March 14, 2010 at 3:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

The attitude described in the previous two posts is the exact position taken by Sears in the mid 1970's.
Look where Sears is today.

Posted by: squeak

March 14, 2010 at 9:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Never forget that we the public have all the power! Please don't get lulled to sleep into always going to WMT for your items. Shop around and support other businesses. Competition benefits our buying dollar.

Posted by: shenanigans

March 15, 2010 at 9:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

This is why we shop at Harp's and Aldi's. One week Wally World has your item, the next they do not. However, Harp's will go out of their way to make sure you have what you need in way of food, they have a butcher onsite who will cut your meat order anyway you ask. Their Bakery Department does not fuss if you ask them to slice a loaf of bread the way you like it and they are a lot more friendly.

Posted by: Arkietex

March 15, 2010 at 8:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Kurt M -cjranger
James B -Kendylsdaddy
James L C -squeak
Chris T -MIRLKMAN
Carol H -Arkietex

To the above 5 people who posted using their screen names on nwaonline.com comments:
This site shows your sign-up NAME/ID whenever screen names are typed into the search box - found out by accident!
Go back to sign-up EDIT and CHANGE your ID if you don't want your real name revealed whenever you post,
AND contact the online managers.

The nwaonline staff knows about this issue - you all should, too!

Posted by: QuestionAuthority

March 16, 2010 at 2:38 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Thanks for the tip, QuestionAuthority. I'd rather be anonymous.

I'm glad to see others from this area are not so thrilled with Walmart's practices. Lowest price is not king when the product is not of good quality or if it leads to a chain-reaction of pressure ultimately felt by some "slave" in another country. Their obsession with buyer trends and product placement in store is masqueraded as "serving the customer" when the truth is their main goal is maximizing profit for shareholders. After working there for a little while I could tell they are the living example of capitalism at its finest. Like any corporation their real motivations are truly mixed, but they are not shy about focusing on the bottom line as their main priority.

The closest that we will get to being controlled by machines like in the movie "The Matrix" will be the affect of super-large corporations like Wal-mart. So keep shopping for better quality at competitors. Borrow stuff from friends or family if you don't have the money instead of buying a cheap imitation.

Posted by: FishFillet

March 19, 2010 at 4:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

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