Another reason to dis-like Wal-Mart

[gt350mike]

Call me old fashion but Wal-Mart is pushing my button on this one........ Wal-Mart is going to open the first Hispanic-focused supermarkets this summer in Arizona and Texas. I guess they will do anything to make an extra buck.

"Wal-Mart goes bilingual - Retail giant Wal-Mart will open its first Hispanic-focused supermarket this summer in Arizona and Texas. The stores will feature Spanish speaking staff and new layouts, products, and signage that will be "relevant to local Hispanic customers."
The stores, dubbed Supermercado de Walmart, will appear in converted Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market stores in Phoenix and Houston. Separately, the company also plans on converting a Sam's Club warehouse into a Hispanic-themed Más Club.
Some of this reflects Wal-Mart's U.S. stores chief Eduardo Castro-Wright's previous experience in the company's Mexican subsidiary. But it also reflects the realization that by 2042, according to the Census Bureau, ethnic and racial minorities will represent a majority of the U.S. population.”

Here is the link for the whole article: http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/topstocks/archive/2009/03/13/wal-mart-goes-bilingual.aspx

[jyl]

There are a huge number of legal American citizens who are Hispanic. Why shouldn't they be able to pay lower prices for their ethnic groceries? Would you outlaw ethnic food? Or does it upset you that the country is getting less Caucasian? Do you expect everyone else to be in denial about this too?

I don't shop at WalMart personally, but that's for other reasons.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I doubt I'd notice the difference.

[GG Allin]

If Nazis took over the U.S. Walmart would be thrilled to cater to them.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Anyone else remember how WalMart was all about "Made in the USA" and how they wrapped themselves in the flag back in the 1990s? Cripes, you'd have sworn WalMart was a cornerstone of American culture just as much as mom, apple pie and baseball if you listened to their advertising/marketing back then...

The pinnacle of fair-weather hypocrisy.

[nostatic]

I have never set foot inside a Walmart.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Anyone else remember how WalMart was all about "Made in the USA" and how they wrapped themselves in the flag back in the 1990s? Cripes, you'd have sworn WalMart was a cornerstone of American culture just as much as mom, apple pie and baseball if you listened to their advertising/marketing back then...

The pinnacle of fair-weather hypocrisy.

I believe you'll find that the change in Wal-Mart coincided with the death of Sam Walton. He was a good man with principles, and formed his business to reflect that. The family took over and threw those ideals out the window.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I believe you'll find that the change in Wal-Mart coincided with the death of Sam Walton. He was a good man with principles, and formed his business to reflect that. The family took over and threw those ideals out the window.

+1...don't know if it's the family, or other "hired bean counters", but it isn't Sam's baby anymore.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Sam Walton was a pretty cool guy. When I worked construction, one of my co-workers had family in the Little Rock area, one of which was somehow involved with the construction of Wal-Mart stores. When visiting he was invited to go racoon hunting with some of the locals, one of which drove an older Ford truck and was introduced only as Sam. Sam went hunting with the group and my co-worker didn't think anything of it. When the hunt was over and Sam left, the others let on that Sam was really Sam Walton.

Just an ordinary guy, and I think he honestly created his store to benefit the average American. That's where the now forgotten "Proudly Made in the USA" products came from.

[911boost]

He did drive an older Ford Pick up, and was a good guy.

Smart business move if you ask me. Apparently you have never been to China town in any major city.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I have never set foot inside a Walmart.

If you go, bring this.

(Adding a few hundred shoeless Mexicans would be an upgrade. Seriously)

[masraum]

Back in 1988 when I turned 18 I voted. One of the things on the ballot that I voted for and was passed was that the state language of Florida should be English. I'm afraid that one wouldn't pass in Texas except that the old rednecks would somehow work out for the Hispanic vote to only count for .5 or something.

[t951]

If you are ever bored in a walmart here is a fun game.

First person to find anything made in America wins. You can easily kill an hour looking.

[Laneco]

My husband pointed something out to me that really set me afire the other day (always a risky move in a public place)...

We were in a local store that sells products badged in spanish (for the hispanics) and in english (for the everybody elses). Here's the deal - the products are the same ones, but the one with spanish writing costs less.

Same products, same dates of production, same volume, etc. They only differences: One in English - costs more. The other in Spanish - costs less.

Why is that?

angela

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by BSiple

He did drive an older Ford Pick up, and was a good guy.

Smart business move if you ask me. Apparently you have never been to China town in any major city.

Nope. Enlighten me. Or were you simply suggesting I visit to try the food?

Originally Posted by t951

If you are ever bored in a walmart here is a fun game.

First person to find anything made in America wins. You can easily kill an hour looking.

The better question: why would you WANT to kill an hour in Wal-Mart? I try to get the hell out as quick as possible, and I only go for stuff that Target doesn't carry.

[911boost]

Matt, I was just pointing out that Walmart will not be the first person / company to open an ethnic grocery store.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by BSiple

Matt, I was just pointing out that Walmart will not be the first person / company to open an ethnic grocery store.

Gotcha. But I hear the food is great.

[Rikao4]

why not start selling bogus papers...
wally better put up some German signs..
some poor hausfrau may not find the bratwurst..


Rika

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I have never set foot inside a Walmart.

Used to work in one while putting myself through college. After that have been in one less than 10 times in 30 years. The minute Price Club and Costco came in the market that was it.

[Christien]

You guys rant and rave about capitalism and the free market, then b!tch and moan when Walmart wants to take advantage of that to cater to its customer base? Like it's Walmart's fault the borders are porous?