I just received a press release from WAL*MART in which the “Retailer Will Cash (Stimulus) Checks for Free and Focus on Compelling Rollbacks.”
In their April 29th Press Release it reads that Wal-Mart today announced that it will cash stimulus checks for free–with no purchase required. And starting this week it will offer shoppers a program of rollbacks, on items that allow them to save money and live better.
The announcement goes on to add that Wal-Mart will:
“Offer compelling rollbacks from sports drinks to shampoo, breakfast juice to lunch meat, cereal boxes to cereal bars. Wal-Mart has lined up rollbacks and additional price savings on key grocery and consumable items that are already available this week in store. Over the coming weeks it will unveil additional rollbacks to help shoppers stretch their dollars.”
As I look at this document, and starting list of discounted items, they appear to have the correct focus. In time we will have to wait to see if their major competitors follow suit.
Note: I am not a Wal-Mart shareholder nor am I being compensated for posting this press release. The Orange Juice does engage in public service this post being one example.
Why do Wal-Mart employees generally appear to have had previous work experience on a pig farm in Alabama?
Blaster. Is that where you work?
Email reply:
I tend to stay away from Wal-Mart due to issues with their treatment of employees/health care, putting small businesses out of business and taking jobs away from U.S. economy. They are happy to take our money (stimulus checks), our jobs and feed the Chinese economy. Shame on them.
Just my humble thoughts.
Diane Greenwood
I do not think I can comment officially on the blog, but if I can…please cut and paste and make this a comment
thanks
another email.
How is buying Chinese-made junk at Walmart going to stimulate the US economy???
As long as they’re lowering prices on American-made products, I think it’s a great idea. If the rollbacks focus on Chinese-made items, then we’re in a lot of trouble.
Most people don’t even know a Chinese product when they see one. We need better labeling. In fact I found out after I bought it that the laptop I’m using this very second was made in China. I thought Toshiba was a Japanese company. Hmm..
SMS
You can’t buy any American products anymore.
All Americans make now adays are mistakes.
Email response: Note: While thefollowing comment exposes illegal activity it does not indicate if the buyer was Wal-Mart.
“A friend has made emblems/patches for military uniforms for many years off and on. A bid requirement was that they be made in USA. this last go round, one company underbid all the others by a fair ammount and the others couldn’t figure out how they could pay even minimum wage and get the job done. My friend hired a detective who went through the other company’s trash and found evidence that the work had been outsourced to China, shipped back and relabelled. The patches are now being made by Ozzie’s company in Ontario, ca.”
Sarah.
I agree with your comment on American made products.
When prices started to fall in the computer industry the Japanese firms outsourced to Korea. However, over time Korean manufacturers were no longer competitive so they have moved to even lower labor manufacturing sites in third world countries.
In 1991 I gave a presentation at an International Electronics Conference where I mentioned Machiadora plants located just south of San Diego. US firms would send kits of parts for assembly below the border which were then sent back as sub assemblies to take advantage of cheap labor. Now these same plants are hurting due to lower labor costs from China. It’s called a global economy.
For the first time in my life I recently saw clothing with a label reading “made in Vietnam.”
Cook.
Well stated. Thanks!
Larry-
You have to admit though, the Koreans make great cars. Hyundai and Kia are enjoying a Japanese-car maker-like reputation and deservedly so. I had a Kia Sorento and I loved it. Many people thought it was a Lexus. Really. It looks like the RX!
Can you imagine buying Chinese cars? Oh wait, you already have… check the parts! It’s out of control.
SMS
Sarah.
I have already seen Chinese manufactured cars when we were there at this time last year.
Major auto manufacturers have invested heavily into plants with joint-venture partnerships up to 49 percent. They include Daimler Chrysler and VW
Larry-
Thanks a lot for reminding me about that. I’d almost forgotten. Ugh. I have to go be sick now.
SMS