Great article Rhoswen.

I agree, a great article. This was the best part:

"In yet another academic study about Walmart—the world’s largest retailer obviously fascinates researchers—a team of economists correlated the proliferation of Walmart Supercenters with higher obesity rates in U.S. communities. The authors explain in the study’s abstract:

An additional Supercenter per 100,000 residents increases average BMI by 0.24 units and the obesity rate by 2.3% points. These results imply that the proliferation of Walmart Supercenters explains 10.5% of the rise in obesity since the late 1980s, but the resulting increase in medical expenditures offsets only a small portion of consumers’ savings from shopping at Supercenters."

It is silly to argue that Walmart, Sam's, and other "big-box" retailers don't win customers away from "local" stores.

The problem I have is when people blame the big-box retailers for the situation or use biased descriptions like "Walmart forces local businesses to go out of business." The only thing Walmart does is provide many customers with a higher perceived value than local businesses. Is that Walmart's fault or the local business's doing?

If a finger must be pointed at the success of Walmart (and China manufacturing), then point the finger at the (probably vast) majority of people in our increasingly consumerist society that want things - they want them now and they want them cheap. Walmart just meets our preferences, they don't create them.

It is unfortunate that many people like to blame businesses for consequences of providing people with things they want.

Blame Walmart for Chinese manufacturing and obesity?!? Personal responsibility and temperance is fading. God help us. Rant over.

Dang, people have no concept of reality in the economics of supply and demand.

Sam Walton would never been successful in Rogers, Arkansas or anywhere else if no one purchased what he offered.

As Pogo said, "We have met the enemy and he is us."

I am not sure Sam Walton would be happy with the Walmart of today.

Wasn't one of Walmart's early claims to fame that they carried only, or mostly American-made products?

Sweet, I can blame my recent weight gain on the new Walmart!

With a handle like "Slim" that is truly amusing.

We live in San Antonio and have memberships at both Sam's and Costco. Both are the same distance from our home and we shop at both. Quite frankly, I see absolutely no difference in grocery quality between the two. Both are very good, and the quality of meat at either, particularly the beef, is way above HEB's. My wife prefers to shop at Costco, but ONLY because the aisles are a bit wider, and the lighting in brighter due to the white painted ceilings. I will admit that it is a more consumer friendly environment than our Sam's store. We shop at both because they do offer some different options from time to time. You just have to watch both as their inventory rotations changes frequently.

I also have memberships to both. Sam's inconsistent inventory drove us to try Costco. Now we have a Sam's list and a Costco list although I enjoy going to Costco more. I will say that Costco's customer service runs circles around Sam's. Also Costco's return policy is awesome.

Why pay a membership to shop for stuff available elsewhere?
Lucrative to the vendor...it's likely a lot of "members" never save enough to offset their fees.

Before the big spenders chime in, I'm sure the concept works for some.

GSS, I think a family of 4 that goes on a weekly basis to Costco eats enough in samples alone to make up for the $55/year basic membership charge.....at least I do

[This message has been edited by jsc8116 (edited 7/21/2013 12:13p).]

quote:

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Why pay a membership to shop for stuff available elsewhere?
Lucrative to the vendor...it's likely a lot of "members" never save enough to offset their fees.

Before the big spenders chime in, I'm sure the concept works for some.

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I bought two shelving systems at Sams for ~$150. The exact same ones at Lowes or Home Depot were ~$100 each. And that is just one transaction of savings from Sams.

I also buy A LOT of chicken and workout stuff from them at a much better price. I estimate I save at least $500 a year on just those products.

[This message has been edited by the anchor (edited 7/21/2013 12:31p).]

I like Sam's gas prices.

Not everything is a great deal but you can save money if you are prudent.