Wal-Mart (WMT)

HenryTo · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 11:58 pm Post subject: Wal-Mart (WMT)

WMT still not doing too well:

http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B6572BD56%2D3411%2D4829%2D96E5%2D7B0F3833B221%7D&siteid=mktw&dist=

Odysseus · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 10:43 am Post subject:

I know Walmart sells pre-packaged fresh meat but it is usually in a solution of 7% liquid preservative. It extends the shelf life. Box beef and pork is more labour intensive but fresher. Their model doesn't work particularly well for anything perishable. But they do not break out margins so who knows.

On the whole, Walmart provides good value with almost no service. In lean times, we tend to trade off service for price.
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nodoodahs · Moderator Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 2408

The quality of the perishables departments (meat, produce, bakery, deli) varies just about as much between stores in-brand as it does between brands of stores, if you get my drift. A poor meat market manager (or produce manager) can do more damage than a poor grocery or GM manager ... you might try another nearby Wal-Mart and see if you get the same result.

There's something else at work, too. WMT relies more on precutting and prepackaging for meats than your typical grocer does; they had a little tiff with the meat-cutters' union a few years back, and just found a way around them. Booyah!
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Odysseus · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 8:26 am Post subject:

Okay, I'll confess to being a Wallmart shopper. Once a month I brave the hoards and stock up on larder items like canned goods and other non-pershibles.

Wallmart got it's foothold in the grocery market because they were, well, Walmart. Another tremendous advantage was the fact they did not do much if any print ads or spot TV. This is rapidly changing.

Wallmart has the worst fresh meat department in the business and it is overpriced as well. They now have a national TV ad compaign on the quality of their steak. What a hoot. BUT I believe they will be successful.

I good historical comparison would be to study the rise and fall of the Great Atlantic And Pacific Tea Company. If memory serves, they were even harangued by Congress and anti-trust over unfair competitive practices.
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Psychic with Alzheimers. I can predict what I will forget.

HenryTo · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:22 am Post subject:

Wal-Mart putting a lot of squeeze on suppliers to wring out costs. Read the "Wal-Mart Effect" to get a primer to get an idea on the various Wal-Mart cost-cutting strategies and how that affects its suppliers:

http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/28/magazines/fortune/kapner_walmart.fortune/index.htm

rffrydr · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:17 am Post subject:

WMT comps are 0.5% 2% expected. Ex-fuel up 1.4%. Sees EPS of EPS of $.99 to $1.03. $1.02 expected. Feb sales expected flat to +2%

Notes gift card use lower than expected and being used for food.
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HenryTo · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject:

A detailed profile of Wal-Mart's new 203,000 square foot super store in Highland Village, Texas (northwest of Dallas). Also includes many pictures, for our "visual" subscribers.

Note: This pdf is over 1.3 megs in size:

http://www.retailingtoday.com/uploadedFiles/RetailingTodaycom/Digital_studio/Special_reports/2007/WMT_Highland1.pdf

HenryTo · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 11:02 am Post subject: WMT now below $50

WMT now below $50!

WMT hasn't been under $50 since March 2003. Consumers finally feeling the pain of high energy prices? Stay tuned.