WP: Putting the Brakes on Wal-Mart (Chicago, NY, LA -- now D.C.?)

[DeepModem Mom]

Putting on the Brakes
Local Grocery Workers Union Leads the Fight to Block Wal-Mart's Efforts to Infiltrate Inner Suburbs, District

By Michael Barbaro
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, May 23, 2005; E01


....Legislation before the D.C. Council would ban new stores with more than 80,000 square feet that devote 15 percent of their space to food and other nontaxable merchandise.

A bill passed by the Maryland General Assembly would require companies with more than 10,000 employees to spend 8 percent of payroll on health care.

A zoning rule approved in Montgomery County restricts the location of outlets larger than 120,000 square feet with a full-service grocery and pharmacy.

But behind the hodgepodge of figures is a very specific goal: Keeping out Wal-Mart Stores Inc. As the discount giant shifts its focus from the Washington region's fast-growing fringes to its dense urban center, it has become locked in a bitter behind-the-scenes struggle with the local unionized grocery industry, which is scrambling to erect legislative barriers to the chain's growth.

The fight is taking on national significance. Wal-Mart, which has conquered rural America with more than 3,000 stores, desperately needs to break into the urban market to maintain its phenomenal growth. So far, it has been rebuffed in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, and the retailer views Washington as an important frontier for expansion....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/22/AR2005052200742_pf.html

[candy]

1. Another reason I prefer the city !

[Skink]

2. They've done a good job getting into San Antonio...

We have like 20.

[candy]

3. You have my greatest sympathy. I love your city and this saddens me.

[laheina]

7. We've been fighting them in Cali.

They want to put a Wal-Mart in an upscale downtown mall where there used to be a department store. The city council nor the residents want them there....WHY keep pushing?

[candy]

8. Sadly,Walmart doesn't care if you want them or not. because

they know that once they're opened people will shop there.

If only people would stay away,pay a little more,and give the smaller retailers a break.

[laheina]

10. Target is actually cheaper

(and the quality is better.) Contrary to what seems to be public opinion. :shrug:

[w4rma]

4. Any and every buisness competing directly against the Waltons is okay

with me.

[Shallah Kali]

5. More power to those who oppose the walmartization of America!

Especially Maryland wanting to make them pay their fair share of health care! I hope more states follow that lead before the GOP gets it's wish of destroying Medicaid!

[Ian David]

6. Netflix announces alliance with Walmart

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 19, 2005
http://www.netflix.com/PressRoom?id=5280

IR CONTACT: Deborah Crawford
Director of Investor Relations
408 317-3712


PR CONTACT: Ken Ross
VP, Corporate Communications
408 317-3931

Netflix Says Promotional Agreement With Walmart.com

Not Material to Company's Financial Performance
LOS GATOS, Calif., May 19, 2005 - In connection with today's joint promotional announcement with Walmart.com, Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) advised investors that it believed the agreement would not materially impact the company's current subscriber growth or financial performance and, as a result, the company is not revising the guidance it provided on April 21, 2005.

Netflix remarked that teaming with Walmart.com strengthens the Company's competitive position as the popularity of Walmart.com and the Web site's traffic offer an opportunity for increased awareness and referrals to the Netflix service.

Netflix CFO Barry McCarthy is expected to comment on today's announcement during his presentation at the JP Morgan 33rd Annual Technology Conference in San Francisco. As previously announced, Mr. McCarthy's presentation today at 9:45 a.m. Pacific Time, will be webcast live. The webcast will be available on the investor relations portion of the company's website: http://ir.netflix.com.

About Netflix

Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) is the world's largest online movie rental service, providing more than three million subscribers access to over 40,000 DVD titles. Under the company's most popular program, for $17.99 a month, Netflix subscribers rent as many DVDs as they want and keep them as long as they want, with three movies out at a time. There are no due dates, no late fees and no shipping fees. DVDs are delivered for free by the USPS from regional shipping centers located throughout the United States. Netflix can reach nearly 90 percent of its subscribers with generally one business-day delivery. Netflix offers personalized movie recommendations to its members and has more than 500 million movie ratings. Netflix also allows members to share and recommend movies to one another through its Friends™ feature. For more information, visit www.netflix.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the impact of the Walmart.com - Netflix promotional agreement on Netflix's financial performance and the opportunity for increased awareness and referrals from such agreement. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ, including, factors associated with the implementation and execution of the promotional agreement, the willingness of existing Wal-Mart subscribers to convert to the Netflix service; the limited number of existing Wal-Mart subscribers; and the likelihood visitors to walmart.com will accept offers promoting the Netflix service. A detailed discussion of other risks and uncertainties that could impact Netflix's financial performance is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2005. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

###


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Related thread:

Wal-Mart, Netflix in DVD alliance
Topic started by dwickham on May-19-05 12:58 PM (86 replies)
Last modified by warrens on May-20-05 02:59 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1484893

[lakeguy]

11. crap, time to cancel netflix!

[Ian David]

13. I already did, and my wife will kill me when she finds out.

[KansDem]

9. It seems "PariahMart" is fast becoming the new name for these people...

Keep up the good fight! :patriot:

[donheld]

12. The Western suburbs of Denver are fighting like mad

Every time the residents stop them in one location Wal* picks another. I must give these cities credit, they are putting up one hell of a fight.