1st February 2003, 12:08 AM
They lower prices REALLY low by buying in bulk (the more you buy, the cheaper you get it) then selling it at a bare profit at best... so that other chains CAN'T compete -- they have to pay more and can't keep up. If that doesn't work they sell at a loss until the other guys are gone... this isn't just Wal-Mart, thats standard practice in other induestries, like video stores. I know some big video rental chains lowered prices just until the competition went out of business (from losing money if they do try to pricematch, or otherwise just losing money), then raised them a lot...
And when cheap stuff means you're getting stuff made in Asian factories that either are sweatshops or are barely better than them, I'll take the better products, thanks. Especially on the clothing issue... their clothing is cheap, but bad quality...
And by destroying downtowns, I mean that Wal-Marts in many areas draw people there to shop instead of shopping at local stores in downtowns across America. Thus helping to lead to the continuing failure of many downtowns as retail areas...
And when cheap stuff means you're getting stuff made in Asian factories that either are sweatshops or are barely better than them, I'll take the better products, thanks. Especially on the clothing issue... their clothing is cheap, but bad quality...
And by destroying downtowns, I mean that Wal-Marts in many areas draw people there to shop instead of shopping at local stores in downtowns across America. Thus helping to lead to the continuing failure of many downtowns as retail areas...