2009.02.19
Six stand-out retailers
They are the shining stars in the retail world, according to Kiplinger.com.
At least six retailers are thriving during this poor economy for a variety of reasons, such as the demise of a competitor or the ability to wave mega discounts. They are Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Urban Outfitters and Gamestop, according to Kiplinger.com.
Click here to read why Kiplinger associate editor, Elizabeth Ody, thinks these retailers stand to succeed.
Okay, all you Walmart haters line up and take a number so you can submit your comment slamming Walmart. Despite what you rant about they must be doing something right. They get my vote.
Comment by RMac — February 19, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
I understand them all except for Urban Outfitters. I was just at that store a few weeks ago and their clothes are so expensive! They didn't seem to have any sales going on when I was there. It was pretty crowded, though. Next time I will have to venture further into the store.
Comment by Michelle — February 20, 2009 @ 8:15 am
Of that list, I will endorse Wal-Mart, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Gamestop since I regularly shop there and like the service and prices I get from them. I dislike Best Buy because I've had trouble finding some products and the help is either nonexistent or reluctant to actually help in my experience. Amazon isn't bad but I don't use them reguarly enough to make a good assessment of them. And I've never shopped at Urban Outfitters. All in all, not a bad list. I've also always liked Lowes for hardware/home improvement stuff, but it seems like they've got a lot fewer people working now so it's a lot harder to find help there too, same for Home Depot.
Comment by Other John — February 20, 2009 @ 8:22 am
I concur RMac. Walmart has the same quality merchandise that everyone else has they just sell it cheaper becuase they buy in major quantities. Sure you can buy cheaper brand items like clothing and household goods but you can also buy name brand products for less. Walmart is not always cheaper but in most cases they are worth taking a shot.
As for the people who are going to complain about customer service, I've said it before and I'll say it again. You are not going to get great service in a big box store. It's the price we pay for lower prices. If you need to know a price, scan it yourself. If you want to know if they have anymore of an item, they don't all the inventory is on the shelves. Come back next week. Where you will find good service is at the return desk. They don't complain they just take your junk back. If they will not take it back it's probably because you either didn't buy it there or you've had it for 5 years.
Lastly, for all of you folks who refuse to shop at Walmart because you love the mom and pop store, tell mom we said hi and tell pop we'll see him at Walmart because he probably shops there too. I love little local stores too but they don't sell the things Walmart does because they can't charge the price Walmart does.
Comment by Greg — February 20, 2009 @ 9:39 am
Walmart has led the way in bringing massive exports of Chinese junk into the U.S. The lack of enforcement of our trade laws during the last 8 years has resulted in the explosive U.S. trade deficit and the elimination of working class jobs here. I guess whenever I visit a Walmart somehow all of those facts enter my mind.
Comment by Joe — February 20, 2009 @ 9:46 am
Amazon is doing great, because they offer good products at a good price and deliver great service.
Comment by Debbie — February 20, 2009 @ 10:09 am
RMac, Walmart is doing so well because they hire illegial immigrants and break tons of labor laws. They also buy in large quantities so they are able to chare so little. I for one would not support such a cause but in these tough economic times I can certainly understand why so many Americans do. It is hard for the average consumer to overlook the inexpensive (for the most part) prices on the products offered by Walmart. Personally I would rather spend a little more and get a better product. Sometimes you have to look at the intire prospective, the fact that you may actually spend more buying so many cheap products that last such a short amount of time than you would if you had just bought the more expensive product that lasted a lot longer. Everyone had their own way of looking at it but this is just my 2 cents. -From a houswife in Hunting Hills that has nothing better to do but shop around.
Comment by Chelsey Cummings (Hunting Hills) — February 20, 2009 @ 10:34 am
When Pier 1 was bringing 'massive amounts of Chinese junk', it was considered exclusive stuff. Now...its Chinese junk from Wal*mart. Same junk, bigger store selling it.
And wal*mart ordering massive quantities is the least component of their success. They MOVE ridiculous amouts of product very quickly, and most often than not, they don't pay for it until it is scanned by a cashier, and even then, its a price THEY set, not the manufacturer.
Then comes the brilliant accounting in the back end. Ordering large lots is so 1986 in retail philosophy.
I'm all for the big boxes these days. Until Mom and Pop realize that 90% of their customer base is at WORK from 9-5, they'll continue shopping somewhere than can be open more than 8 hours a day.
Comment by Rich — February 20, 2009 @ 11:29 am
Just curious Chelsey about why you feel the need to tell everyone where you live? I'm not slamming you, I just wonder.
Comment by Debbie — February 20, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
Rich, I have to laugh at the Pier One comment. I went around to a few of the "high-end" local stores in Blacksburg, which have come out in opposition of Wal-Mart pretty vocally. In almost every one of them, the bulk of their wares for sale were made in the 3rd world. China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Indonesia were the primary points of manufacture, not any bit different than Wal-Mart...but they were much higher priced. I also agree that one of the primary reasosn why a lot of local stores lose out is the 9-5 or 10-6 hours they operate within. I do almost all of my shopping after 8PM, so guess what? My shopping is done at the box stores because they're the only ones open. I could always go on a Saturday though, but then I'd have to justify paying 20% more for the same thing, which I can't. However, if I can find a product that is more durable, better quality, and only a moderate price increase over the cheap alternative...I'll buy it. But again, I'm just as likely to find that at Wal-Mart too, alongside the cheapest option available.
Comment by Other John — February 20, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
First a question for Chelsey. When you have landscaping done at your home in Hunting Hills, do you check the immigration documentation of all the workers in your yard??
Second. Several times I have gone to big box hardware stores (Lowe's, Home Depot, Wal-Mart) looking for a particular small item like a certain size washer or screw and they have not had them. I then went to Northwest Hardware and they have always had what I needed. In 30+ years of home-owning, no one at Northwest Hardware has ever told me, "We don't carry that". I'd rather spend my money there.
Comment by Justafan — February 20, 2009 @ 1:24 pm
Chelsey, I guess you never go into the EVIL Walmart (there is one right across the highway from you) so you do not know thsy sell the same name brand products as the Rip-u-Off store down the road. Mow I'll admit I can't go around bragging "I bought this at LA-DE-DA's and paid a bunch for it", but then again people aren't laughing at me behind my back. I have never seen an illegal immigrant in Walmart (maybe they are locked in the back).
Justafan, there is a place for NW Hardware and I hope they are always around. I use Walmart for groceries, household goods, electronics and so forth.
Comment by RMac — February 20, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
Walmart sells the exact same products you people are buying somewhere else so why is it cheap junk when walmart sells it but its quality merchandise when you buy it somewhere else? If you hate Walmart because of some myth that it's employees are miserable and unerpaid illegal immigrants then fine don't shop there but you can't call it junk when it's exactly the same.
Again don't give me the "I get better service at blank blank store" because that's bull. How much service do you need to buy a TV or buy a nintendo WII? If you need help because you are technology chalenged and you wouldn't know a microwave from a LCD TV then please go pay more and get good service. Me I would rather do my research online and buy for the best price regardless.
I do like the comment about Northwest hardware because it's a good point. There is always a place for smaller businesses who can carry these specialty items or have more time to help you find what you need. But when it comes to name brand merchandise you would be a fool to pay more for the exact same item at another store. End of story.
Comment by Greg — February 20, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
Oh and by the way guys. Don't let Chelsey Cummings get you all riled up. I did some research and there are no Cummings in Hunting Hills. Chelsey is someone fake trying to get you all riled up or she/he is too ashamed of where they really live so that's why the fake name and location.
Comment by Greg — February 20, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
Greg, agree with you on most points but not about customer service. When we went to Best Buy to buy our flat screen TV, I had done my research online and through Consumer Reports and knew I wanted a Sony Bravia. I couldn't find anyone there who would go in the back room and bring one out for me. They didn't have them stacked on the shelves. Yes, we had to pay a little more at a locally owned store, but I wasn't treated as if I was invisible. It was worth it to me.
I shop for many things at Wal-Mart as well and don't have any problems. When I bought my TV they weren't carrying Sony.
Comment by Justafan — February 20, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
WalMart has a place in today's marketplace, but... BUYER BEWARE
The huge clout WalMart has with vendors, is further being abused by odd sizes (it looks like the 16 oz. size at another store, but is actually 13.5 oz), the meats state 10% water, so you're paying meat prices for water, not to mention how they use the vendors money by not paying for merchandise until it's sold, plus whatever doesn't sell gets returned to the vendor.
Do your own homework on WalMart, you might just be surprised at what they are REALLY doing to the US economy, workforce, and to consumers, now and the years ahead.
Shop for VALUE, because price for the sake of price, is a false economy.
Comment by Steve — February 20, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
Greg, Sir Its not a myth go online and google walmart labor lawsuit. I found this site and it pretty much sums up what that company is http://wakeupwalmart.com/facts/ Try searching Ukrops labor lawsuit or another "la de da" store as you call them.. you wont find that because they treat their employees right and it shows in the service they give. And yes greg service does matter to me because afterall I am paying their salary so the least you can do is give me good service. Most Roanokers shop at Walmart because that is their idea of a place to shop. I wonder why? Oh because its cheap cheap cheap. Go ahead people feed the Walmart frenzy.. I hope you think about that poor little kid that had to sew that shoe you are wearing.. and to think he only got paid a quarter for it.
And Justafan, There is a group of neighborhood teens that do my yardwork and we pay them very well for it. Ok Roanokers I am going to go now.. Have a good weekend drinking your beer and eating your walmart burgers!
Comment by Chelsey Cummings (Hunting Hills) — February 20, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
Ssshhh, don't tell anybody, the name brand at WalMart is made to WalMart's specifications, NOT the manufacturers. NO, they are not the same item. Most manufacturers produce more than one quality of product, the same item, just made cheaper & poorer. So you cannot compare "apples to apples" & they know it. (WalMart)
BUYER BEWARE
Continue ignoring the independents, and they won't be there in the future. Then see what WalMart does with prices when they have eliminated competition.
Comment by Steve — February 20, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
Sorry Chelsey, didn't mean to ruffle your feathers. The fact is a lot of people don't realize how often we do come in contact with folks here illegally. They're in every walk of life.
Comment by Justafan — February 20, 2009 @ 5:02 pm
Us Steve nobody is talking about generic Walmart products. And your shop for value comment is ridiculous. You've obviously been reading too many fortune cookies. Let's take a look at a real example. A Sony Bravia 32" Model KDL-32L4000 is 597.99 at Best Buy and 598 at Walmart. Same value same price. Now how much would that TV cost you at audiotronics or Lee Hartman? Probably a bit more. So my question is this, aren't you making a poor fiscal choice by paying more for the same exact product somewhere else?
Chelsey you don't have to worry about me buying shoes because I am an elitist like you and I will not buy any non name brand shoes. Again you and Steve are on the same page. Walmarts aisles are filled with the exact same products you buy at Ukrops. Why don't you answer my second statement from earlier about why you have to lie about living in Hunting Hills to make you feel good?
Justafan I had the same problem at Best Buy but I made someone go get my TV. The Sony Bravia is awesome too by the way. We went with the 52" and I love it. I agree there are reasons to shop at other stores when service is important. If I were having car audio installed I would not go anywhere else besides audiotronics. But I'm not paying more to buy a TV from them because it today's economy that just doesn't make sense.
Comment by Greg — February 20, 2009 @ 9:00 pm
Just wondering if anyone has thought about the impact of their WalMart and online shopping on the local economy. Have any of you ever tried to secure a donation from a national company for your school, church, or charity event? I've been volunteering for PTAs and various organizations for years and will tell you that those donations don't exist. They give you an 800 number that tells you via recording that they don't do individual donations. But walk into a locally owned store and they will ALWAYS give you something. I have never been turned down by a local retailer- clothing stores, shoe stores, gift shops, grocery stores, floral shops, and especially restaurants. THAT is why I shop local whenever and wherever I can. The money I spend at those local businesses stays local and gets recirculated into the local economy. As for people buying online at places like Amazon.com, the effect on our local and state sales tax is huge. So go ahead and order your shoes and books online- but don't complain when our sales tax revenue is down so far that we are having trouble funding our schools.
Comment by Working Mom — February 22, 2009 @ 8:29 am
I do not know if audiotronics is considered local or not since I believe there are locations in other states. But the surround sound receiver I purchased from them last week was the same price that Best Buy sells it for. Now one of the three I was looking at is in their sale ad this week for less but since they do not restock apparently then that is useless. Can not buy it for less if they do not have it, as I said elsewhere I tried for weeks to buy one and it was always out of stock. I may see your point Greg on the TV as I do think audiotronics is much higher on that model as is the one I have been thinking of. But I am not 100% sure on the model number so I maybe wrong. I would pay a little extra for good service and if I was sure they were local owned and run but not by a large amount.
Anyone know if Replay is local? If so they are the example of why such business fail. I went in today looking for a hard to find movie (which they didn't have) and their prices are through the roof. They are selling used DVD's for as much and in many cases more than they sell new. How can they do so and stay alive. I will check the place inside Happy's and I know that is local and he is much cheaper. I know he is half or less than half the new cost on most things.
Due to this movie being so hard to find other than Best Buy who is not local and sells it for $5 more I can see why people buy somethings online. There are several movies I cannot find. If I can not find them at the place inside Happy's I will buy them online from walmart.com as they are cheaper than bestbuy.com or Best Buy them selves. At least I tried to get them local. If I am going to get them from a Big Box store I'm going to who is the cheapest.
Comment by Mike D — February 23, 2009 @ 10:50 am
To claim that Oreos, Cheezits, Fritos, Nilla Wafers or anything sold at wal*mart are made to Wal*Mart specs is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Thank you for the laugh!
Really...
Thank you!
Companies are SOOOOOOOo quick to change formularies! Just like New Coke! That was a hit!
And SIZES????????????? Are you serious? You think the eeeeeevil fellows in Arkansas are the only ones decreasing product volume? Volume is less in almost EVERY PRODUCT everywhere!
You're hatred of Wal*mart is disturbing!
Kroger, Food Lion, Ukrops, AND Mom and Pop's almost every product is in the same size box, but has less in it. 1/2 gallon ice creams are non exisxtant! Tuna and cat and dog food cans have less. Cereal...less. EVERYWHERE!
Remember when diesel hit $5 a gallon? That started it, and the economy in the tank is what is keeping it going!
Thank you again!
Bwahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Rich — February 23, 2009 @ 2:47 pm