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Wal-Mart

WAL-MART SETS NEW POLICY ON ETHICS

After Wal-Mart Stores fired seven top managers in mid-December for failing to meet company standards, the world's biggest retailer quietly issued a sweeping new ethics policy just two weeks later.
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Wal-Mart

I am not exactly sure why they would be called a "bully" from this article. This article just says they are cleaning house and trying to straighten up their act - good for them!

However, small businesses have been calling them a "bully" and accused them of using unfair business practices. The most famous practice that they use is to actually sell a few items each week under cost. They actually take a loss on that particular item. The goal is not to sell that many of the items at a loss...it is to just get you into the store. Once you are there, most people never leave with just one thing. They buy many more! Thus the loss is offset and profit is achieved. Smaller businesses (local pharmacies, local retail stores...) cannot compete in this practice, as they cannot afford to sell any items at a loss.

Bully? If you are the competitor, yes. If you are the buyer, probably not.

Just a thought,

Vincenzo

Wal-Mart History & Civil Business Politics

This is actually a very common practice in retail. Those items are called loss leaders. All large chains do this, not just Walmart. Walmart is just better at it because Walmart is sooooo big.

Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart is simply a company that is very good at what it does. The loss of Mom and Pop shops is regrettable, but nobody can blame Wal-Mart for giving the people what they demand. Their inventory control is absolutely amazing - they simply do what they do better than anybody else can. That's not bullying; it's business.

Wal-Mart

WAL-MART CLOSING UNIONIZED STORE

Wal-Mart is closing a store in Quebec that was closest to reaching a union
contract after the retailer could not reach an agreement with the union
representing workers there.
Ref. https://money.cnn.com/2005/02/09/news/inter...anada/index.htm

Wal-Mart

Walmart is actually infamous for doing this. When another walmart was going union in nineteen ninty six, in arizona, they just closed that store too, and reopened it a year later hiring new people. Wal-mart is not going to allow union to run their store, it would drive prices up.

On the original topic, I don't think Walmart is a bully, I think they are the best at what they do giving people like me what we want. Thats not being a bully, thats being good.

Wal-Mart

Here is a definition I found of the word bully:

discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate

I think a lot of this definition applies to the Wal-Mart corporation. I give them credit where credit is due, but it is clear that their ability to drive prices down, take losses and still make profit is very discouraging to other small businesses and does intimidate others who cannot compete in such a fashion.
I believe there is some merit in having specialized stores that sell only certain items or subset of items. Yes, it is more convenient to go to a one-stop shop but the quality of products purchased tends to be watered down vs stores that specialize. Also, I am very much for small businesses as this is part of the American dream; to be able to open up your own shop and be a major contributor to your community.
I am not going to be a complete hypocrite and say that I haven't purchased from a Wal-Mart store, because I have. That's just because I am lazy. However, kudos to Wal-Mart at being very successful at what they do, and running a very efficient and profitable business.

Wal-Mart Politics Business Civil & History

Is the reign of Wal-Mart as the 'buy all in one place for less' store finally coming to an end or do you expect a rebound?

WAL-MART SHOPPERS DISENCHANTED

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is facing a new reality: Its customers want more than just the lowest price. The world's largest retailer, which only a few years ago could do no wrong, is now suffering from the kind of problems that have plagued weaker rivals like Kmart: cluttered stores, merchandise that turned off shoppers and poor service.
Ref. https://deseretnews.com/dn/view/1%2C1249%2C...34932%2C00.html