Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats • Hacker News Board

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#251

Post by kube-system » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 6:07 AM UTC

cbozeman wrote: post #200

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,…

> Working class shoppers. Almost everyone in America is "working class". America no longer has a leisure class to speak of, if we ever had one. Looking at the most recent data - I forget where I saw it - but the wealthiest Americans also put in the most hours at work. I know a lot of people have brainwashed themselves into thinking they're something they're not, but they're all wrong. If you have to go to work in the…

“Working class”, despite what those words can mean separately, doesn’t mean “class of people with a job”.

It is a polite rephrasing of the now antiquated phrase: “lower class”.

In fact, the “working class” aren’t necessarily even employed.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#252

Post by faeriechangling » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 6:07 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,…

It's not that I disagree but it's so depressingly cynical to suggest Walmart make its business less efficient for the sake of allowing for social stratification.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#253

Post by teclordphrack2 » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 6:08 AM UTC

bombcar wrote: post #76

mike_d wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Upscale urban areas won't let Walmart even try to build something. Target worked really hard pitching their upscale "City Target" sub-brand to get San Francisco to let them in.

Walmart is experimenting with something they call “Walmart Neighborhood Market” but I think they’d have done better to leave the Walmart name off it. People who don’t like Walmart won’t try it and people who do like Walmart will be pissed it’s not a Walmart just a grocery store.

I like how you say ""Walmart is experimenting with something they call “Walmart Neighborhood Market” and they have had these for over a decade. I come from the area around the home office and they make the stores run quite a bit better there. The further away the store is the more likely there is less innovation or management issues. When I moved to the east cost I could clearly see certain loss prevention measures that made me not buy products.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#254

Post by Auracle » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 6:08 AM UTC

pengaru wrote: post #34

handrous wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

Most of what you're observing is simply a reflection of the area demographics. It's similar to visiting a small town DMV. Your description of gambling machines reminds me of my last visit back home in IL, after they legalized gambling. It's very jarring to walk past locals glued to video slot machines at 9AM in a gas station. It's depressing as hell, I'm sure the walmarts have cashed in on the action too but I didn't…

My closest Walmart is in a town of 20,000 or so. There’s also a Target a few blocks away. The people that shop at either could not be more different. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone above 350 lbs at the Target. Walmart? Probably every time I’ve been in there.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#255

Post by kortilla » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 6:09 AM UTC

Red_Leaves_Flyy wrote: post #20

handrous wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

The staff are miserable because the pay is shit, and they’re likely collecting or eligible for welfare. The customers treat them like shit. The shit that happens in and around Walmart’s is soul destroying. If Walmart started treating their staff like Costco we’d see a lot happier staff, and pay less taxes on entitlements.

> If Walmart started treating their staff like Costco

If Walmart paid their staff like Costco their prices would be high like Costco’s and there would be little reason for them to exist anymore.

For people on a budget, Costco’s prices are terrible on many basic items. The “bulk prices” in many categories (e.g. dairy) are at best the same price per unit as Walmart with the huge purchase requirement.

Costco is for middle to upper middle class incomes and Walmart is for middle to lower class incomes. If you don’t recognize the price difference between the stores, you are privileged enough to be in the former category.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#256

Post by teclordphrack2 » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 6:11 AM UTC

Terretta wrote: post #96

JTbane wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Walmart is also one of the few stores that interrogate you on the way out as to what you purchased. Just not a good look.

Best Buy checks receipts, Costco checks receipts. Best Buy is the most confusing of these as the receipt checker is stationed about 3 feet from the last register by the door watching you get rung up and pay.

Costco, Sams Club and the like have you sign a contract for membership that requires you to show the receipt upon exit. Walmart, Target, etc. are governed by the state, county, and city laws. Most states allow you to ignore them and keep walking unless the theft prevention is activated.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#257

Post by Auracle » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 6:12 AM UTC

syedkarim wrote: post #115

handrous wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I haven’t noticed a difference in most things. Some things are cheaper at Walmart, but they also often have companies make worse versions of products for them just so they can sell them cheaper.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#258

Post by Auracle » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 6:17 AM UTC

strikhedonia wrote: post #196

mc32 wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wal*Mart, contrary to popular belief is paying $15 in many locations (as good as other chains).

They’re paying a mean of $15 an hour. That’s quite different from a minimum of $15 an hour. Walmart jobs in my fairly HCOL area still start at $12 an hour.

I just saw a banner outside mine in a very low cost of living area advertising starting at $14 an hour.

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#259

Post by velgewp » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 6:20 AM UTC

Walmart can do anything to tacle this threat as they are now creating their own ecosystem of devices like laptop, smartphone, smart tvs and will sell in their stores to maximize profit...

Reference - Walmart's first Android TVs will be officially released next week - https://techplanet.today/post/walmarts-first-android-tvs-wil...

Re: Leaked Walmart memo reveals competitive threats

#260

Post by Closi » Sat, Jun 05, 2021, 6:21 AM UTC

olivermarks wrote: post #236

dimmke wrote: post #214

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is really the problem with everything Walmart has done wrt eCommerce/online pickup IMO - It's like all the pieces are there, but they can't bring them all together. I've hit their website from Google looking for an item, and the lead time to ship is 2+ weeks and it's highlighted that it's sourced from a partner. Putting aside the obvious - it's just a worse deal. For most items, they're competing with 1-2 days,…

'Amazon nails in person pickup or Walmart nails online shopping.' Amazon has nailed free shipping with prime. In person pickup costs money in time, fuel, available vehicle. Feels like checkmate in 2021 but this may change

A click and collect / in person delivery has benefits too though:

* It’s cheaper for Walmart as it can ride on the back of an existing trunk from a logistics perspective.

* Dependent on how confident you are on stock, Walmart could offer “instant” click and collect on any range in stock in store. This does depend on inventory policies and is more complicated than it initially seems though.

* It gets someone in your store which has an umbrella effect as they are likely to purchase something else.

Most are benefits for Walmart, but the lower delivery cost can be passed on to customers and instant pickup is great for customers when it happens. Furthermore, click and collect is great for people in flats or where leaving a parcel isn’t practical.