NYT:Wal-Mart Going Upscale...at Least a Little (struggling w/ competition)

[DeepModem Mom]

Wal-Mart Is Going Upscale. Well, at Least a Little.
By TRACIE ROZHON

Published: April 8, 2005


....While whispering comparisons to Wal-Mart's rivals - Target, Gap and Bed, Bath & Beyond - Wal-Mart buyers this week showed off a kaleidoscope of new offerings at a temporary showroom near the company's headquarters, from polo shirts to plasma television sets to gourmet roast beef.

Executives admit the company is struggling to keep its competition at bay.

Yesterday Wal-Mart, blaming an early Easter and rainy weather, said that it expected its earnings for the quarter that ends this month to be close to the low end of its estimates of 56 cents to 58 cents a share. Sales growth at stores open at least a year, known as same-store sales, may be unchanged or rise as much as 2 percent in April, it said.

Yesterday afternoon, Bob Buchanan, a retail analyst with A. G. Edwards & Sons, downgraded Wal-Mart stock. Shares fell 60 cents, to $48.90.

Told of the new merchandise displayed this week in Arkansas, Mr. Buchanan was unimpressed. "They're trying a lot of things but today, spring 2005, their overall assortment lacks creativity and originality. They have missed on key products many times."...


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/08/business/08walmart.html

[tsuki]

1. Ahhh, I feel bad.

[Tux]

2. How about

Using modern labor laws and leave the late 1800's behind?

[expatriot]

5. bravo! I second that one. nt

[UpInArms]

3. sucking pond water sounds

emanating from Squal-Mart.

:popcorn:

[darkism]

4. HAHAHA "upscale" and "Wal-Mart" in the same sentence!

NOW I've seen it all!

[expatriot]

6. boycottwalmart.meetup.com

http://boycottwalmart.meetup.com

[ima_sinnic]

7. "...downgraded Wal-Mart stock. Shares fell 60 cents ..."

:nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity:

[LeftyMom]

8. ooh, how classy

"We've upgraded some of our fabrics, our linens, our cottons, our silk blends in our sweaters - we're using a lot of spandex...

:spray: :rofl:

[The_Casual_Observer]

9. This business model won't last forever.

That place and home depot are the shittiest shopping "experiences" anywhere.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. I wonder how much your observation...

impacts on Wal-Mart's problems. Other stores have shown people that shopping can be more pleasant. I've avoided Wal-Marts for a while, but I assume they're still ugly, with little attention to design in the store or its products.

[Indykatie]

11. PR Image Bigger Problem

The fact that folks hate WM hs more to do with them losing market share than th quality of the goods I believe. I refuse to shop there and have threatened to divorce my partner if she continues to shop there.

[DeepModem Mom]

13. I agree! Wal-Mart's policies and "business model"...

and their effect on communities are the root of their growing problems -- but I'd just not thought of the aspect of the shopping "experience" before.

[Ms Chicklet]

12. Hated Wal-Mart even before I knew it was evil

It's a terrible place to shop. Cramped, crowded, poor lighting, cheap crappy merchandise not even worth its Always Low Prices, and lots of white trash letting their kids run around like chimps on crystal meth.

[Mist]

14. Easter and rain lowered it's share price! Riiiight. n/t