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Where even Walmart won't go: how Dollar General took over rural America

theguardian.com

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Re: Where even Walmart won't go: how Dollar General took over rural America

#31

Post by scarface74 »

monkeynotes wrote: post #10
mizchief2 wrote: post #2

This is why you need to get the government out of business. They shouldn't be choosing what stores are built where nor should they be giving certain businesses tax breaks over others.

Get government out of business?? I think it should be the other way round. Get business out of government. Government has a place in prescribing how business is conducted. Without local government zoning for businesses your cities would be pretty shitty places to live. Light or heavy touch is the contentious point. The bigger problem is that businesses by and large control America. Sort that problem out, complaining…

Living in GA, big business serves as somewhat of a beachhead against it from becoming another Mississippi.

Re: Where even Walmart won't go: how Dollar General took over rural America

#32

Post by maxerickson »

rebuilder wrote: post #11

I wonder if this is somehow a very USA-specific issue, and I wonder why that would be. I recently moved to the countryside in Finland, to a place that isn't even a town, just a road with houses and farms. There are a couple of rather crummy grocery stores within a few minutes driving distance, but mostly people shop at the stores in the nearest city, maybe half an hour away. Where I live is kind of an extreme. There…

Only about 7 or 8% of the US lives in the much ballyhooed food deserts:

https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-food-desert...

and then lots of those people have chosen a car centric lifestyle and don't have a difficult time accessing a decent grocer.

It's enough people to be a significant public policy issue, but it isn't a defining aspect of life in these United States.

Re: Where even Walmart won't go: how Dollar General took over rural America

#33

Post by bigtunacan »

rebuilder wrote: post #19
swebs wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Still, this idea of a store that doesn't sell fresh produce seems completely alien - I haven't seen that pop up anywhere Yes you have. The Finnish equivalent is called Tokmanni. It's pretty much the exact same low quality crap. The only difference is that Tokmanni sells some stuff over €10.

I hadn't thought about Tokmanni as a grocery store replacement, more a general goods store. Now that you mention it, they do have a crappy food section that consists of edibles in cardboard boxes. I always pass by that part since I don't go there for food, but maybe that explains my blind spot.

That is exactly like a Dollar General. Small food section in cans and boxes.

Re: Where even Walmart won't go: how Dollar General took over rural America

#35

Post by loco5niner »

palferrari wrote: post #28
loco5niner wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seems like DG is pretty straightforward as far as informing potential employees what is expected. As far as the hourly rate, that should be motivation to work on their marketable skills (work/study). Sounds like a great high-school job, and if you're still working a high-school job at 35, something is wrong.

who do you suggest should work there during the day while school is in session?

Someone who started working there in high school and completed it. Hopefully prior to 35. Hopefully while continuing to improve their marketable skills.

Re: Where even Walmart won't go: how Dollar General took over rural America

#36

Post by loco5niner »

extralego wrote: post #29
loco5niner wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seems like DG is pretty straightforward as far as informing potential employees what is expected. As far as the hourly rate, that should be motivation to work on their marketable skills (work/study). Sounds like a great high-school job, and if you're still working a high-school job at 35, something is wrong.

Never seen somebody younger than me working at a Dollar General. My point is that something is definitely wrong. But to blame this on the workers is immoral, heartless, definitely a sign you have something wrong with yourself. So I’m assuming that isn’t your point. They are doing the work. They paying is someone else’s job. Who said this is a “high school job”? What’s that?

> But to blame this on the workers is immoral, heartless, definitely a sign you have something wrong with yourself.

Yes, I am blaming the workers. Making personal attacks against me doesn't change the facts.

The fact is, the reason people make minimum wage is because they haven't developed (or proven to the right person that they have developed) marketable skills.

That's why it's important to study hard in school and to work hard in your job. People get paid what they are worth in the marketplace.

I don't know anything about DG's business practices, but if the workers are not satisfied, there are other places they can get a job.

I do realize that some people face inherent difficulties in life. They weren't born with the same advantages or they were born with disadvantages. Maybe they made some mistakes in life. I'm not saying they shouldn't have a chance. I'm saying that there are things (education, discipline, etc) that they can take advantage of to better their situation.

Maybe they are content in their situation. That's fine too.

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