It’s blatantly a parody, coupled with social criticism of the world’s largest retailer, but Wal-Mart had its lawyers fire off nastygrams to computer store owner Charles Smith and, perhaps more effectively, to CafePress. Now things have proceeded to court. Smith’s website is here. (Abigail Goldman,”Wal-Mart Parodist Sues to Sell Products”, L.A. Times/Chicago Tribune, Mar. 7)(via Housing Panic).
One Comment
I live in a small toen, small? 7k residents, our community serves apx 50k from surrounding communities. So we are a small big town I suppose. Reality we are a rather big time surprise as to our service level capabilities! I’m rather proud of such too.
Wally world came a calling, and finally got approved. They spent 18-24 months working within the community and focused a great deal on the existing retailers to coach them and encourage them to NOT compete against WW in certain things. As they can’t win any such a battle, so focus on items that WW will not be carrying and capitalize on what they do best. Provide personalized service and items that ww does not carry.
results?
We have not lost a single local merchant due to WW’s arrival. I’m sure that some are not doing as well as they were prior, but still have not, after two years of being open are also still open.
I’m not sure if Sam would approve of where his store has gone or not. I can’t ask him and neither can you, but it has gone there and today empoloyes the most #’s of poeple other than the govt in the nation! Can’t be doing all things wrong right?
I know that this story is not the same all around the country either, but I do think that WW is and has gotten better at mitigating their arrival into a new market.
When K-mart came to town many years ago, I know that we had many empty store windows along our short main street, as a direct result of KM opening and destroying the locals business. They did not bother to have meetings and gatherings and press stuff about how they would effect the local shops. they opened their doors and some local businesses died because of it. WW at least put forth the effort to educate these folks and it worked! Still is working!
WW is not responsible for the dependance and or the availability of govt handouts for health care and such. THEY may be taking advantage of such, but they did not invent the hand out system. Such existed long before WW became a retail force in this nation.
WallyCast appears to be some sort of catch all antoginist site. Citing firearms and knife fights as business due jour! Such is of course not even close to any sort of reality, wel in my world, though the mega cities have such no matter where you may gather to shop, we don’t!
Well to sum them up, they should join the local green goofie group. they are making as much sense!