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6 Months

20 (19.6%)

9 Months

10 (9.8%)

One Year

28 (27.5%)

Two Years

21 (20.6%)

Five Years

13 (12.7%)

Ten Years

1 (1%)

They'll be around forever!

9 (8.8%)

Total Members Voted: 102

[hbelkins]

It was always a treat when one of the Christmas catalogs -- Penney, Sears, or Montgomery Ward -- came in the mail. My letters to Santa would include the page number of the specific catalog where I saw the item to help him in his choices. Little did I realize that I really was helping him find what he was going to bring me! 

[GaryV]

Since this thread started, more than half the choices on the poll have passed.  And they're still kicking.  Or at least squirming and wiggling.

[OCGuy81]

What about Barnes and Noble? It was the one left standing over Borders (I preferred the latter) but I haven't been in one in years.  Are they still alive and kicking?

Or has Amazon killed them as well?

[kevinb1994]

What about Barnes and Noble? It was the one left standing over Borders (I preferred the latter) but I haven't been in one in years.  Are they still alive and kicking?

Or has Amazon killed them as well?

Barnes and Noble seems to have gone awfully quiet and I think there’s a reason for that. Just weathering the changes I suppose.

[Big John]

^^There sill is one B&N where I live.

[Takumi]

What about Barnes and Noble? It was the one left standing over Borders (I preferred the latter) but I haven't been in one in years.  Are they still alive and kicking?

Or has Amazon killed them as well?

I know of at least two in Richmond.

[GCrites80s]

At the end of the day at least there are other options that are superior to Walmart.  Given I manage LP for a military exchange I rarely step foot inside any other traditional big box retailer nowadays for anything beyond a small purchase.  My interactions with Walmart generally come from when I’m with my wife who really likes to browse clearance sections.  If anything it is my fault for continuing to fall for the promise of a free meal if I go shopping with her.

Jeez, I was hoping military exchanges didn't need LP at all.

[Max Rockatansky]

At the end of the day at least there are other options that are superior to Walmart.  Given I manage LP for a military exchange I rarely step foot inside any other traditional big box retailer nowadays for anything beyond a small purchase.  My interactions with Walmart generally come from when I’m with my wife who really likes to browse clearance sections.  If anything it is my fault for continuing to fall for the promise of a free meal if I go shopping with her.

Jeez, I was hoping military exchanges didn't need LP at all.

They do, it isn’t anywhere in the same stratosphere as the real world though as far as theft issues.  DECA/MWR don’t have any similar oversight and have rampant theft issues every time I’ve been subcontracted to investigate their stuff. 

[Rothman]

I've boycotted Walmart because of the way they treat their employees.

I don’t “boycot” per se, but I don’t like the prison-like atmosphere most Walmart’s have now.  I don’t like having to go through a security turnstile, have a spider wrap on my hand basket and “receipt checks” for everything.

That's soured me on WalMart too.  What are you supposed to do if you don't find what you're looking for, buy something you don't need/might not use just so you can use a checkout and leave the store?  Ridiculous.  I was pretty much only going there for things that were out at other stores, anyways, and that's less of a problem now, so I think I just won't (especially as, if things are sold out elsewhere, there are decent odds they'll be sold out at WalMart too).

Oddly enough, even though I use JCPenney for most of my clothing needs, there is one thing I buy from WalMart - shoes.  Specifically, flats (though this may apply to boots as well, though not as strictly).  For some reason, nowhere else still around sells any that are comfortable and don't rub the back of my ankle to oblivion.  Payless was good for that too, but sadly they're online-only now.

I'll also likely be buying purses from Target from now on, as the last purse I got is from JCPenney and it isn't wearing out any slower than the two before it from Target.  If I'm going to get Target quality anyways and the selection is equivalent, may as well pay Target prices.

I have never been prevented from leaving Walmart without buying anything.  The idea they would is a little extreme.

[mgk920]

^^There sill is one B&N where I live.

B&N's Appleton, WI area store is still operating, too.

Mike

[jeffandnicole]

I've boycotted Walmart because of the way they treat their employees.

I don’t “boycot” per se, but I don’t like the prison-like atmosphere most Walmart’s have now.  I don’t like having to go through a security turnstile, have a spider wrap on my hand basket and “receipt checks” for everything.

That's soured me on WalMart too.  What are you supposed to do if you don't find what you're looking for, buy something you don't need/might not use just so you can use a checkout and leave the store?  Ridiculous.  I was pretty much only going there for things that were out at other stores, anyways, and that's less of a problem now, so I think I just won't (especially as, if things are sold out elsewhere, there are decent odds they'll be sold out at WalMart too).

Oddly enough, even though I use JCPenney for most of my clothing needs, there is one thing I buy from WalMart - shoes.  Specifically, flats (though this may apply to boots as well, though not as strictly).  For some reason, nowhere else still around sells any that are comfortable and don't rub the back of my ankle to oblivion.  Payless was good for that too, but sadly they're online-only now.

I'll also likely be buying purses from Target from now on, as the last purse I got is from JCPenney and it isn't wearing out any slower than the two before it from Target.  If I'm going to get Target quality anyways and the selection is equivalent, may as well pay Target prices.

I have never been prevented from leaving Walmart without buying anything.  The idea they would is a little extreme.

I've walked thru closed checkout aisles or other exit points countless times if I didn't find what I was looking for. Why would someone need to buy something to leave a store? I've never felt trapped inside a Walmart.

[In_Correct]

I did not know what to vote, so when I voted, I selected Two Years. Now I am not so sure. If that many people Shun Walmart, Sears will be able to make a full return and compete with them.

Barnes And Noble and even Pay Less Shoe Source are still around also.

[Rothman]

I've boycotted Walmart because of the way they treat their employees.

I don’t “boycot” per se, but I don’t like the prison-like atmosphere most Walmart’s have now.  I don’t like having to go through a security turnstile, have a spider wrap on my hand basket and “receipt checks” for everything.

That's soured me on WalMart too.  What are you supposed to do if you don't find what you're looking for, buy something you don't need/might not use just so you can use a checkout and leave the store?  Ridiculous.  I was pretty much only going there for things that were out at other stores, anyways, and that's less of a problem now, so I think I just won't (especially as, if things are sold out elsewhere, there are decent odds they'll be sold out at WalMart too).

Oddly enough, even though I use JCPenney for most of my clothing needs, there is one thing I buy from WalMart - shoes.  Specifically, flats (though this may apply to boots as well, though not as strictly).  For some reason, nowhere else still around sells any that are comfortable and don't rub the back of my ankle to oblivion.  Payless was good for that too, but sadly they're online-only now.

I'll also likely be buying purses from Target from now on, as the last purse I got is from JCPenney and it isn't wearing out any slower than the two before it from Target.  If I'm going to get Target quality anyways and the selection is equivalent, may as well pay Target prices.

I have never been prevented from leaving Walmart without buying anything.  The idea they would is a little extreme.

I've walked thru closed checkout aisles or other exit points countless times if I didn't find what I was looking for. Why would someone need to buy something to leave a store? I've never felt trapped inside a Walmart.

I was responding to vdeane.

[Revive 755]

What about Barnes and Noble? It was the one left standing over Borders (I preferred the latter) but I haven't been in one in years.  Are they still alive and kicking?

Or has Amazon killed them as well?

While the number of stores has slowly declined, there are still a decent number of them with (per searching on their website) 15 within 50 miles of Chicago.

Side topic:  Are there any Barnes and Noble locations besides West Town Mall in Madison, WI that have a used books section?

[TheHighwayMan394]

Still plenty of B&N in the Twin Cities metro.

[kkt]

Some of the Barnes and Noble stores in Seattle have closed, but some remain.  If you really want to shop at a B&N you can.

At the end of the day at least there are other options that are superior to Walmart.  Given I manage LP for a military exchange I rarely step foot inside any other traditional big box retailer nowadays for anything beyond a small purchase.  My interactions with Walmart generally come from when I’m with my wife who really likes to browse clearance sections.  If anything it is my fault for continuing to fall for the promise of a free meal if I go shopping with her.

Jeez, I was hoping military exchanges didn't need LP at all.

Thank you for making it clear what LP is

I'm sure that's why Target puts its bathrooms in the front, so the security person near the registers can keep an eye on who's going into the rest rooms and for how long.  If they were in the back of the store they'd have to hire another security person.

Regarding Target, yes, they do have men's dress shirts, but not very nice ones.  When I'm dressing up I want shirts that fit well and in nice fabrics, not poly-cotton in my choice from S to XL.  If I had to wear them 5+ days a week for work, I might well feel differently.

[Scott5114]

I'm sure that's why Target puts its bathrooms in the front, so the security person near the registers can keep an eye on who's going into the rest rooms and for how long.  If they were in the back of the store they'd have to hire another security person.

Target loss-prevention operation makes the surveillance departments in banks and casinos look rinky-dink. They run an entire forensics lab just catching shoplifters.

https://www.paypath.com/Small-Business/why-target-is-the-worst-store-to-shoplift-from

[Max Rockatansky]

I'm sure that's why Target puts its bathrooms in the front, so the security person near the registers can keep an eye on who's going into the rest rooms and for how long.  If they were in the back of the store they'd have to hire another security person.

Target loss-prevention operation makes the surveillance departments in banks and casinos look rinky-dink. They run an entire forensics lab just catching shoplifters.

https://www.paypath.com/Small-Business/why-target-is-the-worst-store-to-shoplift-from

Which in the grand scheme of things has such a small footprint on their overall LP operations that it is laughable they promote it.  I worked LP ("Assets Protection" as Target would put it) at Target and it isn't anymore fancy day to day than any other retail company.  When I worked at Target we couldn't even stop a shoplifter if they went into the Restroom or Fitting no matter how obvious the theft was.  Most shoplifters wouldn't even try to steal in the Restroom anyways given we had a door guard ("Target Protection Specialist") staffed right at the front door. 

[Scott5114]

^ I would imagine the reason they promote it so much, then, is to deter shoplifters who might hear that and decide to steal from Walmart instead.

I remember reading that the Target that got looted and torched in the aftermath of the George Floyd murder was the one that Target used to test all of their newest LP gizmos. Apparently there was resentment toward the store for that and it ended up being a factor in why that Target got...well, targeted. Afterward they rebuilt and remodeled the Target with community input and, presumably, without all of the extra LP tech.

[Max Rockatansky]

^ I would imagine the reason they promote it so much, then, is to deter shoplifters who might hear that and decide to steal from Walmart instead.

I remember reading that the Target that got looted and torched in the aftermath of the George Floyd murder was the one that Target used to test all of their newest LP gizmos. Apparently there was resentment toward the store for that and it ended up being a factor in why that Target got...well, targeted. Afterward they rebuilt and remodeled the Target with community input and, presumably, without all of the extra LP tech.

Target was also one of the last hold out for “hands on” shoplift apprehensions and hand cuff usage.  Most of the field got away from it by around 2010 after loading apprehension videos onto YouTube got popular.  That probably doesn’t get advertised all that much by comparison to all that tech stuff but it was very much a thing.

[Flint1979]

I just went into the last remaining Kmart store in the state of Michigan which is located in Marshall. Serious lack of energy, and nothing has changed from the last time I was in a Kmart store. There are a few customers, empty shelf space, dead areas of the store. Talk about a company that is lost in the 90s. They were still using IBM monitors at their checkout lanes too.

I bought a pop on the way out just so I can say I bought something. By the way John was a very strange individual, he talked very loud and wanted me to help out St Jude's which I didn't.

[ftballfan]

I just went into the last remaining Kmart store in the state of Michigan which is located in Marshall. Serious lack of energy, and nothing has changed from the last time I was in a Kmart store. There are a few customers, empty shelf space, dead areas of the store. Talk about a company that is lost in the 90s. They were still using IBM monitors at their checkout lanes too.

I bought a pop on the way out just so I can say I bought something. By the way John was a very strange individual, he talked very loud and wanted me to help out St Jude's which I didn't.

The only reason why they're still open is that the nearest Meijer and Walmart are 10+ miles away, on the south side of Battle Creek. Before the first bankruptcy, there used to be a Kmart in Albion as well. Fun unrelated fact: Marshall and Albion schools consolidated a few years back, but Albion is nowhere to be mentioned in the district's name (likely due to Albion being a town in decline whose schools were about to be shut down by Rick Snyder prior to its consolidation with Marshall)

[kkt]

Have the receipt framed

[Max Rockatansky]

Is there a point to Shopyourway rewards with a single store left in Michigan?

[vdeane]

I've boycotted Walmart because of the way they treat their employees.

I don’t “boycot” per se, but I don’t like the prison-like atmosphere most Walmart’s have now.  I don’t like having to go through a security turnstile, have a spider wrap on my hand basket and “receipt checks” for everything.

That's soured me on WalMart too.  What are you supposed to do if you don't find what you're looking for, buy something you don't need/might not use just so you can use a checkout and leave the store?  Ridiculous.  I was pretty much only going there for things that were out at other stores, anyways, and that's less of a problem now, so I think I just won't (especially as, if things are sold out elsewhere, there are decent odds they'll be sold out at WalMart too).

Oddly enough, even though I use JCPenney for most of my clothing needs, there is one thing I buy from WalMart - shoes.  Specifically, flats (though this may apply to boots as well, though not as strictly).  For some reason, nowhere else still around sells any that are comfortable and don't rub the back of my ankle to oblivion.  Payless was good for that too, but sadly they're online-only now.

I'll also likely be buying purses from Target from now on, as the last purse I got is from JCPenney and it isn't wearing out any slower than the two before it from Target.  If I'm going to get Target quality anyways and the selection is equivalent, may as well pay Target prices.

I have never been prevented from leaving Walmart without buying anything.  The idea they would is a little extreme.

I've walked thru closed checkout aisles or other exit points countless times if I didn't find what I was looking for. Why would someone need to buy something to leave a store? I've never felt trapped inside a Walmart.

When I've not found what I'm looking for, I always just left the way I came - a path which is now blocked by the turnstiles.  I'm pretty sure I've seen them block off closed checkouts at least once, though whether they do that all the time or blocked all of them, I can't say; I always use the self checkout, and the only time I've been inside a WalMart since the turnstiles were installed once, and that time I found at least one thing I was looking for, so the point never came up.

As for actually getting trapped in one, apparently it can happen... check out ~58 minutes in this roadtrip video (although he did enter 20 minutes after closing):