Comments on: Do You Shop Where America Shops?

By: Dixie Boring

Dixie Boring — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:08:16 +0000

Supporting your neighbor is a idealistic thought. I live in a small rural area with limited choices. Our little town lives off of tourism, particularly in the summer months. There are plenty of high priced, specialty stores for the tourists. Locals need the prices, variety, and jobs that our super Wal-Mart offers. I have to agree with b4itsover on this one.

By: b4itsover

b4itsover — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:32:43 +0000

Wal-Mart allows many people to make ends meet as they live from paycheck to paycheck. They also give people the opportunity to join the work force with little or no experience, they employ millions of people in the U.S. alone. If you look at the numbers, there is a net economic gain when Wal-Mart comes into a community. They provide jobs and offer lower prices for people. Lower prices allow low income people to buy the goods they need to live. For the middle class it gives them more disposable income to buy those items that might otherwise be considered luxury items to them. And before you ask, no, I am not on Wal-Marts payroll. I’m just a student of economics and looking at the raw data, emotions aside, Wal-Mart is good business. I would argue even for those mom and pop stores. Not the ones that try and compete with items that Wal-Mart carries but for those that carry items not carried by Wal-Mart, because the savings Wal-Mart passes along allows people to shop at these mom and pop stores more than they normally would. I make enough money to not shop at Wal-Mart if I so chose too, but why would I throw money away when I don’t have to, there are plenty of other items I can buy out there that Wal-Mart doesn’t carry. Good topic Merrill.

By: Stephenie King Gordon

Stephenie King Gordon — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:13:59 +0000

WOW!
I think Wal-mart has the corner on the rural markets; and in some places is the only box store option for shoppers. I know that local businesses in my community fought to the death to keep Wal-mart out of our area; because they can’t compete with their prices and abundance of merchandise.
I personally think we should support the local guy and keep Wal-mart’s to a minimum. The Walton’s have enough money; support your neighbor!