OK - by now ya'll have read about Wal-Mart, and their recent media blitz in response to all the negative PR they have been getting. You have to know by now I have something to say about all this.
For Cryin' Out Loud People. Get a grip. Wal-Mart is THE largest retailer in the world. There are thousands of people that are employed there. The company, founded by Sam Walton, is based on selling goods at a competitive price. The whole SUPERCENTER concept is based on convience. Are they big? Yes. Do they put smaller, more expensive shops out of business? Yes. Why? Because people WANT to shop there. It's that simple. People want to save money. They CHOOSE to shop there.
You don't hear alot about the money that Wal-Mart puts back into the areas that they build in. Do they pay the highest wages? NO. For heaven's sake, it's retail. No One Makes Great Money In Retail....unless it's high end goods, and sold on commission, and even then it's not always great. When I was unemployed, looking for a job, I didn't apply there because I knew I wouldn't make the money I WANTED to make. But let me tell you, if things would have gotten desperate I would have. And I wouldn't have had any grounds to bitch about the money.
When you employ as many people as Wal-Mart does, you're going to have disgruntled employees. It's the nature of the beast. Hell, I work for a Fortune 500 company, we aren't small potatoes, we care about people - both employees and consumers - and I'm having issues. And it's my responsibility to resolve them. Either learn to live with the culture or move on. It's my choice.
Wal-Mart offers their full time employees benefits, stock options and an opportunity to advance. Nothing else is a given. Not one damn thing. You don't get promoted just because you are a woman, or a man, or a minority, you advance because you play the game. You follow the rules, drink the company Koolaide. It's that simple. It's that way every where.
The culture at Wal-Mart Corporate is one of caring. And of making profits. That's the bottom line. They have to make money. It's called business. They do care about their people. I know that for a fact. I've done business with Wal-Mart. For Years. And believe me, it's no piece of cake. They are tough, they are demanding, they are a royal pain in the ass. And when you gain their approval, when you win the award, it feels damned good. And you're a better person for it. I'm a better sales person, I'm a better analyst, I'm a better retailer for all that I learned from them.
So....what's the point in this? Easy. Shut Up. If you don't like Wal-Mart don't shop there. I didn't like their policy with the Salvation Army this Christmas, so I shopped elsewhere. It was my choice. I wanted to make more money than they pay, so I looked elsewhere for a job. Just that simply. It was my choice.
Posted by Tammi at January 14, 2005 06:02 AMWell, I gotta disagree with you here.
I agree that if you don't like a company's business practices, then you can choose not to patronize them. (As I am with Staples wrt Sinclair.)
But I disagree with the "Shut Up." part.
I think that is part-and-parcel with having an opinion - sharing it. If you feel strongly enough, organizing a boycott.
As much as I _*hate*_ Michael Moore, I wouldn't want to shut him up.
Posted by: _Jon at January 14, 2005 10:31 AMGood post Tammi. I worked in retail for 14 years and the potential for advancement is there for those willing to work for it. I suspect that many of the criticisms about Walmart are originating from a labor union that is unhappy about their lack of success in organizing Walmart's employees. I have had dealings with such unions before. They can be downright vicious when they don't get their way.
Posted by: Noble Eagle at January 14, 2005 10:51 AMI don't like Walmart, mainly because it's just plain icky inside.
I compare it to Kmart in the early years.
Posted by: Machelle at January 14, 2005 11:45 AMI like Wal-Mart because - having lived in a succession of small towns - I appreciate being able to buy almost anything I could want or need at a reasonable price.
Prior to their arrival I had to either settle for being gouged by a succession of overpriced mom & pop specialty stores, or make the pilgrimmage to the big city.
Posted by: Harvey at January 14, 2005 01:15 PMI don't shop at Walmart, I can't stand the place. It's icky, and I don't like what it does to the surrounding community. Especially in small towns. I also work for a fortune 500 company that deals with Walmart, and they are absolutly difficult to work with, and if you gain approval it doesn't mean squat because they are still demanding.
I'd rather shop anywhere else and pay more then put a dime into that company.
Posted by: Contagion at January 14, 2005 03:58 PMThat's what I get for posting before my 3rd cup of coffee. By the "shut up" I mean stop simply complaining. You don't like 'em - don't shop there, but if you see something wrong, ck your facts then make it known.
C - I know a lot of people that feel the exact same way you do. And I have to be 100% honest. When I first left the account (and moved to other mass merchandisers) I stopped shopping there all together. Part of that was because I had been in ever supercenter they have in an 18 month span. But also...I was burnt out on the. They do work you hard, that is for sure. But as I dealt with others I started to put it all in perspective for myself.
NOTE TO SELF: more coffee before posting first thought of the morning!
Posted by: Tammi at January 14, 2005 08:15 PMI think the thing about Walmart is more a function of where it's located. The ones in the suburbs I have always found to be icky - very very poorly kept, everything crowded together and the scuzziest people in the world shopping there (think ... no teeth as the best part of their appearance). When I've been inside the ones in small towns, there seems to be a huge difference. Everyone shops there and they are generally much better kept (cleaner, brighter lighting).
But in general I'd prefer to do without rather than walk into a Walmart.
Posted by: Teresa at January 14, 2005 09:09 PMI've worked with other retial chains as well, Wally-world tends to be the most difficult by a large margine then the others. But everyone is entitled to their oppinions. No matter how wrong they are. :)
Posted by: contagion at January 14, 2005 10:30 PMI both agree and disagree with you, Tammi.
I do not believe that Wal-Mart takes good care of their people - I believe that they tolerate managers who are abusive to their people - and they simply are not good partners in their local communities.
If you read the court documents filed in the two large suits against them (discrimination against women and the breaks/lunches suit), there is some pretty strong evidence that they have major issues inside their corporation from a leadership perspective.
That said, there's alot to admire about Wal-Mart.
DISCLOSURE: I work for a competitor.
Bryan