founder
Posted by Chad (+1767) 15 years ago
From The Economist recently.....

"Chains do more than bargain down prices from suppliers or divide fixed costs across a lot of units. They rapidly spread economic discovery-the scarce and costly knowledge of what retail concepts and operational innovations actually work. That knowledge can be gained only through the expensive and time-consuming process of trial and error. Expecting each town to independently invent every new business is a prescription for real monotony, at least for the locals. Chains make a large range of choices available in more places. They increase local variety, even as they reduce the differences from place to place. People who mostly stay put get to have experiences once available only to frequent travelers, and this loss of exclusivity is one reason why frequent travelers are the ones who complain.

. . .

The contempt for chains represents a brand-obsessed view of place, as if store names were all that mattered to a city's character. For many critics, the name on the store really is all that matters. The planning consultant Robert Gibbs works with cities that want to revive their downtowns, and he also helps developers find space for retailers. To his frustration, he finds that many cities actually turn away national chains, preferring a moribund downtown that seems authentically local. But, he says, the same local activists who oppose chains "want specialty retail that sells exactly what the chains sell-the same price, the same fit, the same qualities, the same sizes, the same brands, even." You can show people pictures of a Pottery Barn with nothing but the name changed, he says, and they'll love the store. So downtown stores stay empty, or sell low-value tourist items like candles and kites, while the chains open on the edge of town. In the name of urbanism, officials and activists in cities like Ann Arbor and Fort Collins, Colorado, are driving business to the suburbs. "If people like shopping at the Banana Republic or the Gap, if that's your market-or Payless Shoes-why not?" says an exasperated Gibbs. "Why not sell the goods and services people want?" "

Thought I'd revive the debate about Wal-Mart and other chain stores being bad for downtown. I tend to agree they're not bad for downtown, they may force some changes, but in the long run they're good for the community. Here's a link...

tp://www.economist.com/b...arket.cfm
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supporter
Posted by Levi Forman (+3716) 15 years ago
Penn & Teller did an episode on Walmart this year. They aren't exactly "Fair and Balanced" but the show is always interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/wa...jsshqyAFh8

http://www.youtube.com/wa...IXHdU&NR=1

A couple clips. If bad language offends you stay away.
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supporter
Posted by Richard Bonine, Jr (+15423) 15 years ago
I used to shop at Wal-Mart here in Gillette before going anywhere else. I now shop at Wal-Mart only as a last resort. I value my time and you can't shop at Wal-Mart here without standing in line for 20-30 minutes to check out. It is worth paying the 30-75 cents per item premium somewhere else to avoid standing in a line.
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supporter
Posted by Bob L. (+5098) 15 years ago
Richard:

I hear you. I'm in the same boat. I'll hit Wally World if I go shopping at 6:00 A.M. on a Saturday. No lines.

Often I'm too tired? hungover? both? to get up that early.
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Posted by Kyle L. Varnell (+3749) 15 years ago
Not another thread on the evils of Wal-Mart! Larry please delete this thread before the madness starts again!

Please.
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supporter
Posted by Bob L. (+5098) 15 years ago
No, no, keep the thread!

I want to know what the Ikester thinks of Wal-Mart!
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Posted by Kyle L. Varnell (+3749) 15 years ago
Rick K must be on vacation again as I figured there are at least a couple of posts here he would've commented on by now.

[This message has been edited by Kyle L. Varnell (edited 8/21/2007).]
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