Walmart Capitalism?

[Hawnjigs]

I absolutely agree that capitalism in principal is the best economic system where free supply and demand forces determine prosperity, or not. Walmart in our town of Hilo pop. 100,000 is always bizzy with a rep for the lowest prices in town.

But, when Walmart first came to town years ago, a friend of mine who ran a farm & garden supply said he caught and ejected a Walmart employee notebooking prices of his items. Walmart's start up tactic was apparently to price comparables lower than established local biznesses to lure customers. Well, the effect was that many local family owned stores unable to compete went under. Well, OK, thats capitalism, but with competition gone Walmart jacked their prices back up to whatever customers would pay.

I was wondering if big box stores out your way used the same tactics?

 

[ScottV]

My closest town, Meridian, MS, is around 50,000 population. I'm sure the same principal is used nation wide by the large stores. They have put thousands of mom and pop stores out of business. Many communities have tried to block Wal Mart from locating in their communities but usually Wal Mart wins out.

 

[toadfrog]

I worked as security supervisor for Wal-Mart . Those tactics were not employed when Sam Walton was alive . But the minute he died major corporations began an intensive attack on quietly weeding out his family and philosophy . They were in most part successful . After that they began to attack communities mom and pop stores using those exact strategies you have noticed . When I had my business they sent their man from the local store . He knew me and I knew him . He didn't get to far . By then I had quit Wal-Mart For many reasons that being one of them.

 

[Jig Man]

Yep!!!

 

[AtticaFish]

Can't speak for how it all played out since it happened just before i was employeed but...... the small family biz (5 total employees and i'm the only one outside the family) i work for was completely run out of the hunting and fishing sales after Wal-Mart moved into town. Those sales were a mainstay in the biz for many many years before that. Our store changed focus towards service oriented sporting goods...... uniforms, schools, corporate orders, etc. Have survived so far.

There is now only one hunting supply store in town now and their main focus is repairing guns and specialty ammo. They have a very small fishing section and do carry bait at some times during the year.

Side note: Every gas station in the area now carries nightcrawlers, trout worms and waxwors. Almost EVERY ONE! But the price of a dozen worms just keeps going up and up - almost an average of $3.75. Supply/demand does not always work either. I can remember getting them .99/dozen. Maybe the price of worms is linked to the price of gasonline? hahahaha~!!

 

[BucktailJiger]

Killed our town . As far as I'm concerned wal-mart bass pro and a bunch of other big box stores can all go away . Alan Jackson song "Little man" pretty much somes it up .