Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats • Hacker News Board

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#111

Post by fnord77 » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 2:21 AM UTC

paxys wrote: post #107

Walmart gets a lot of flak for being old school and allowing Amazon's rise, but they are one of the very few retailers who have actually been able to respond to competitive threats over the last decade or two. Walmart Labs has some great tech and hires top software talent in the industry. They aren't shy about making large acquisitions when needed (like Jet). They have built out their own delivery and logistics netwo…

I forgot all about Jet until you just mentioned them. I should look into them as an amazon replacement.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#112

Post by nitrogen » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 2:22 AM UTC

Jakobeha wrote: post #104

I've used both Instacart and Walmart delivery because I don't have a car and live ~3miles from the nearest supermarket. In my experience, Instacart has worked very well: the only issues (2-hour delivery window, tip for delivery) are upfront, but I rarely get messed up / late / bad orders. The website is also great. The only time I used Walmart, my delivery was rescheduled to the next day, something which never happen…

That probably comes down to location and competence+availability of staff. I've had basically equal results from the three different grocery stores I've ordered from in my current location, one of which is Walmart, one is a Kroger subsidiary, and one is a local higher-end chain. But when I was in SF, I had terrible results with Instacart, and resorted to shopping in person.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#113

Post by user3939382 » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 2:22 AM UTC

lolsal wrote: post #7

The biggest thing keeping me from shopping at Walmart is their anti-competitive and predatory behavior and the way they treat their employees and vendors. Nothing else really matters to me regarding Walmart. There's no subscription service that would get me to shop at Walmart more than I do today (which is zero). There's no competitor that could decline in such a way that I would shop at Walmart. I know many in my so…

I don't shop there because I take pride in the things I own and prefer quality. They sell specially cheapened versions of popular brands (e.g. Tide) and their store is filled with low-quality products.

It's sad because Walmart Labs has been one of the few groups from a big company putting money behind Clojure/script, which I would like to see succeed.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#114

Post by bushbaba » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 2:22 AM UTC

paxys wrote: post #107

Walmart gets a lot of flak for being old school and allowing Amazon's rise, but they are one of the very few retailers who have actually been able to respond to competitive threats over the last decade or two. Walmart Labs has some great tech and hires top software talent in the industry. They aren't shy about making large acquisitions when needed (like Jet). They have built out their own delivery and logistics netwo…

And yet I don’t use them. I use Etsy. I use chewy. I use other niche e-commerce but I never use Walmart online.

They can’t just replicate Amazon they have to be better than Amazon.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#115

Post by syedkarim » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 2:22 AM UTC

handrous wrote: post #12

mc32 wrote: post #2

I think Wal*Mart has an image problem. I’ve gone into their stores. Their stock assortment isn’t bad compared to the competition. In fact, aside from Whole Foods on the organic/bio side of things, they measure up very well and better compared to their competition. They are more of a hypermart where you can do one stop shopping ala Carrefour. The issues I see are: very drab color palette. Working class shoppers. Sure,…

Observations about the nearest Wal-Mart: 1) All the employees look sad, all he time. 2) They've obviously carefully tuned their check out staffing so that the lines are always long. This is such a constant that it has to be intentional, and they're doing a good job of it. 3) Sometimes they attempt to check receipts at exit. I don't get that at any other non-membership store. 4) All the shoppers look sad. 5) It's the…

Are the prices at Walmart really that much lower than Target? On the limited amount of stuff I buy, it’s not been the case.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#116

Post by trashcan » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 2:23 AM UTC

ineedasername wrote: post #72

542354234235 wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For the people of Walmart, the problem is Walmart makes a ton of its money by vacuuming up all the low/no income customers that would have been served in smaller numbers by convenience type stores. If they go upscale like Target or Trader Joes, they lose that customer base and move into competition directly with those types of stores. Same with the layout. Sure, you or I will pay more for a store laid out for actual…

I didn't realize Chick Fil A was more upscale. Though the one s in my area are food court versions-- are the full physical locations markedly nicer inside than McDonald's? I think their employees do get paid more and/or better benefits though.

I wouldn't say the physical location is materially nicer, but the food experience is. I don't think I've ever been served stale food at Chick Fil A, and at McDonald's there's a very good chance on almost every visit. The employees also seem much happier and more helpful in my anecdotal experience.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#117

Post by barsonme » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 2:23 AM UTC

mc32 wrote: post #2

I think Wal*Mart has an image problem. I’ve gone into their stores. Their stock assortment isn’t bad compared to the competition. In fact, aside from Whole Foods on the organic/bio side of things, they measure up very well and better compared to their competition. They are more of a hypermart where you can do one stop shopping ala Carrefour. The issues I see are: very drab color palette. Working class shoppers. Sure,…

Tangentially related: one reason I try very hard not to shop at Walmart is because they try hard to make you feel like a criminal.

For instance, hanging from the ceiling smack-dab in the middle of some aisles are little TVs showing you that they're recording you. And when you walk down the aisle, the little TV senses you and lights up (it's remarkably bright) so that you _have_ to notice it.

And nine times out of ten I get hassled by the LPOs on my way out—demanding to see my receipt like they're busting some sort of birthday card stealing ring.

I do get that shoplifting is a big problem for them. The (small, middle-class) city I grew up in always has a cop in the parking lot of the local Walmart because so many people steal things. In high school, kids would grab booze or energy drinks and pass it through the bars in the garden section to their friends. Or just shove it in their backpack and run. And most of the "Do you recognize this shoplifter?" posts on FB or wherever by the local PD are from the Walmart.

But I can't help but think that they're driving away the type of people they _want_ to shop there. I'll gladly drive farther and pay more to shop in a pleasant environment.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#118

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 2:23 AM UTC

wavefunction wrote: post #108

mc32 wrote: post #2

I think Wal*Mart has an image problem. I’ve gone into their stores. Their stock assortment isn’t bad compared to the competition. In fact, aside from Whole Foods on the organic/bio side of things, they measure up very well and better compared to their competition. They are more of a hypermart where you can do one stop shopping ala Carrefour. The issues I see are: very drab color palette. Working class shoppers. Sure,…

At least for me, Walmart is just a vehicle for the Waltons to extract wealth from the country. I suppose if Walmart divested themselves from the Waltons and adopted some sort of pro-employee policies I might shop there more frequently.

[deleted]

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#119

Post by mc32 » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 2:26 AM UTC

late2part wrote: post #86

g00gler wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> if people like shopping alongside people in their own stratum, then they have to accept that they have to pay a premium for it (i.e. shop at Whole Foods). I agree that Walmart can be extremely unpleasant compared to a regular grocery store for many reasons. However, I’ve found Whole Foods staff to be extremely unwelcoming unless you seem like you fit in regardless of how much money you make. Can definitely recommen…

Yes! I remember my first time at Whole Foods I asked where to find the Coca Cola and they were very rude about not carrying it.

Forget a Coke (never mind they have other non-alc fizzy drinks) The don’t carry Aspirin (or Advil or Tylenol, but whatever, but Aspirin, WTF?!

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#120

Post by SkyPuncher » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 2:26 AM UTC

mc32 wrote: post #2

I think Wal*Mart has an image problem. I’ve gone into their stores. Their stock assortment isn’t bad compared to the competition. In fact, aside from Whole Foods on the organic/bio side of things, they measure up very well and better compared to their competition. They are more of a hypermart where you can do one stop shopping ala Carrefour. The issues I see are: very drab color palette. Working class shoppers. Sure,…

WalMart definitely has an image issue for me. In my town (very low crime), they're the only store with clear theft prevention in place.

You walk in through a one-way turnstile, they have a permanent police presence, clear loss prevention people randomly throughout the store, and someone doing loss prevention just after check out.

I'm sure other stores in our area have loss prevention, but they hide it much better. WalMart is the only store where I feel like I'm being scrutinized for wanting to buy the products they sell.