Wal Mart Plans to shut down 269 stores

[Pete from Boston]

I have seen a Kroger subsidiary brand (I forget which) with the Kroger logo and design with the former company's name.  Doesn't mean a whole lot at the end of the day.  Ahold did this with Giant and Stop & Shop, giving them both a single (terrible) design scheme, and using the brand name only sparingly.  Store-brand items don't have the store's name on them.

[Brandon]

I always found these "I don't want to get a shoppers card because it invades my privacy" arguments funny.  The argument's been going on since these shoppers cards were invented, and I can't think of a single instance where someone's privacy was actually invaded.  What are shopper card server thieves going to do...list all the people that bought whole milk instead of 1%?

You like being on mailing lists?  Buy baby food, get on lists for everything from toys to college savings plans.  Buy pet food, get on lists for pet kennels.  Buy cheese from the gourmet section, get on lists for European river cruises.

Breathe and you're on mailing lists from here to eternity.  Hell, they'll even address it as "postal customer" if they don't know your name.

[Brandon]

If you haven't been in a Kroger Marketplace, they are impressive - at over 100,000 square feet, Marketplaces will contain furnishings, Bed Bath & Beyond items, along with kitchenware, small appliances and ... food.

They're big, but I've seen the same from a grocer for quite some time now.  Meijer has the same stuff and more, starting as a grocer in 1934, hypermarkets in 1962.

[seicer]

I've had loyalty cards for years and never get spammed. You can opt OUT of those, you know. And if you do get any, you can always unsubscribe with ease.

[jeffandnicole]

I always found these "I don't want to get a shoppers card because it invades my privacy" arguments funny.  The argument's been going on since these shoppers cards were invented, and I can't think of a single instance where someone's privacy was actually invaded.  What are shopper card server thieves going to do...list all the people that bought whole milk instead of 1%?

You like being on mailing lists?  Buy baby food, get on lists for everything from toys to college savings plans.  Buy pet food, get on lists for pet kennels.  Buy cheese from the gourmet section, get on lists for European river cruises.

I think it's just general annoyance at being tracked, or at having to jump through this little hoop other stores don't require to get a sale price.  My CVS card is from the two someone left behind (you get three) in the store after getting theirs, so my receipts occasionally say "Congratulations, Rob!"  Some other store handed me their card and application form, so I kept both.

I gotta say, I've never received such personalized mail from my shopping experiences. And if I did, I wouldn't be able to tell if it's the junk mail I've always gotten anyway.

[kkt]

I've had loyalty cards for years and never get spammed. You can opt OUT of those, you know. And if you do get any, you can always unsubscribe with ease.

Oh, sure.  I get junk mail for my grandfather, grandmother, mother, and father.  All have passed away.  Requests to take off the list are cheerfully ignored.  What do I need, a restraining order?

[seicer]

Sorry, my comment applies to emails. You still get that much junk mail? I don't get any from my local supermarkets.

[Scott5114]

The grocery aspect is an interesting one. Up until fairly recently I would have scoffed at the idea of going grocery shopping at a store that dedicates the vast majority of its floor space to things other than food. But then, up until fairly recently, I hadn't ever lived somewhere were the nearest such store was of comparable proximity to the nearest grocery store.

But now there is a Target in my neighborhood and I do on occasion find myself going there specifically for groceries because although their selection is limited compared to an actual grocery store, what they do have tends to be cheaper. Furthermore, on sale at Target means on sale. On sale at the other nearby stores means you pay full price unless you sign up for one of their stupid store cards or get a cashier nice enough to use theirs for you. This is the retail equivalent of transponder discrimination and I am not a fan.

Pro-tip: if you don't have a discount card and don't want to sign up, have the cashier look up by phone number (local area code)-867-5309. Someone has always already signed up with that fake phone number.

I tried that at Haggen's once.  They refused to accept it.  I paid full price.  On another subject completely, Haggen's is in bankruptcy now.

Which is fairly ridiculous, as in some area codes it's a valid phone number. (405) 867-5309 is the number for the Maysville, Oklahoma high school library, for instance.

The most entertaining (fake) headline I've seen with regards to the Walmart closure is "Walmart Plans to shut down 269 stores, 14 cashiers to be laid off".

[Brandon]

The most entertaining (fake) headline I've seen with regards to the Walmart closure is "Walmart Plans to shut down 269 stores, 14 cashiers to be laid off".

Given the usual lack of cashiers whenever I've been in a Walmart, I have to laugh my ass off on that one.

[cl94]

at Ghetto...um, I mean Price Chopper.

Up here, it's Tops and Hannaford that are the ghetto marts...

Tops is a ghetto mart everywhere. When Ahold owned them, they didn't update any stores. They're independent now, but trying to pay off the debt accrued by Ahold. Many of the old Grand Union locations are crappy from when they were Grand Union.

Ghetto Chopper is a nickname in the Albany area because they have a bunch of small, old inner-city stores. The one on Delaware Avenue (US 9W) near Albany Medical Center is the worst, but Troy, Glens Falls, and a few other places have one. There are some Price Choppers around here that are the nicest store around. They're either really good or really bad.

Hannaford really varies. Most of the ones in the Capital District have been renovated and are quite nice, such as the one I shop at in Wyantskill. Always clean, always good service. The one in Lansingburgh (Troy) is quite ghetto.

Here, I shop based on sales. If something I want is on sale at Price Chopper, I can't beat the price. Otherwise, it's cheaper at Hannaford and I get it there. Walmart is a pain to get to because I have to deal with NY 7 traffic to get there or travel across town to another one.

[Big John]

The grocery aspect is an interesting one. Up until fairly recently I would have scoffed at the idea of going grocery shopping at a store that dedicates the vast majority of its floor space to things other than food. But then, up until fairly recently, I hadn't ever lived somewhere were the nearest such store was of comparable proximity to the nearest grocery store.

But now there is a Target in my neighborhood and I do on occasion find myself going there specifically for groceries because although their selection is limited compared to an actual grocery store, what they do have tends to be cheaper. Furthermore, on sale at Target means on sale. On sale at the other nearby stores means you pay full price unless you sign up for one of their stupid store cards or get a cashier nice enough to use theirs for you. This is the retail equivalent of transponder discrimination and I am not a fan.

Pro-tip: if you don't have a discount card and don't want to sign up, have the cashier look up by phone number (local area code)-867-5309. Someone has always already signed up with that fake phone number.

I tried that at Haggen's once.  They refused to accept it.  I paid full price.  On another subject completely, Haggen's is in bankruptcy now.

Were they looking for a Jenny?

[Brandon]

The grocery aspect is an interesting one. Up until fairly recently I would have scoffed at the idea of going grocery shopping at a store that dedicates the vast majority of its floor space to things other than food. But then, up until fairly recently, I hadn't ever lived somewhere were the nearest such store was of comparable proximity to the nearest grocery store.

But now there is a Target in my neighborhood and I do on occasion find myself going there specifically for groceries because although their selection is limited compared to an actual grocery store, what they do have tends to be cheaper. Furthermore, on sale at Target means on sale. On sale at the other nearby stores means you pay full price unless you sign up for one of their stupid store cards or get a cashier nice enough to use theirs for you. This is the retail equivalent of transponder discrimination and I am not a fan.

Pro-tip: if you don't have a discount card and don't want to sign up, have the cashier look up by phone number (local area code)-867-5309. Someone has always already signed up with that fake phone number.

I tried that at Haggen's once.  They refused to accept it.  I paid full price.  On another subject completely, Haggen's is in bankruptcy now.

Were they looking for a Jenny?

It sure as hell wasn't Jesse's girl.

[realjd]

I always found these "I don't want to get a shoppers card because it invades my privacy" arguments funny.  The argument's been going on since these shoppers cards were invented, and I can't think of a single instance where someone's privacy was actually invaded.  What are shopper card server thieves going to do...list all the people that bought whole milk instead of 1%?

You like being on mailing lists?  Buy baby food, get on lists for everything from toys to college savings plans.  Buy pet food, get on lists for pet kennels.  Buy cheese from the gourmet section, get on lists for European river cruises.

So fill out the card application with fake info. They can't send you mail without your address.

[spooky]

at Ghetto...um, I mean Price Chopper.

Up here, it's Tops and Hannaford that are the ghetto marts...

Tops is a ghetto mart everywhere. When Ahold owned them, they didn't update any stores. They're independent now, but trying to pay off the debt accrued by Ahold. Many of the old Grand Union locations are crappy from when they were Grand Union.

Ghetto Chopper is a nickname in the Albany area because they have a bunch of small, old inner-city stores. The one on Delaware Avenue (US 9W) near Albany Medical Center is the worst, but Troy, Glens Falls, and a few other places have one. There are some Price Choppers around here that are the nicest store around. They're either really good or really bad.

Hannaford really varies. Most of the ones in the Capital District have been renovated and are quite nice, such as the one I shop at in Wyantskill. Always clean, always good service. The one in Lansingburgh (Troy) is quite ghetto.

Here, I shop based on sales. If something I want is on sale at Price Chopper, I can't beat the price. Otherwise, it's cheaper at Hannaford and I get it there. Walmart is a pain to get to because I have to deal with NY 7 traffic to get there or travel across town to another one.

I was very disappointed to see in my last visit to Troy that the ghetto Chopper in the Troy Plaza was gone. For all I know though it's been gone for 10 years.

[cl94]

at Ghetto...um, I mean Price Chopper.

Up here, it's Tops and Hannaford that are the ghetto marts...

Tops is a ghetto mart everywhere. When Ahold owned them, they didn't update any stores. They're independent now, but trying to pay off the debt accrued by Ahold. Many of the old Grand Union locations are crappy from when they were Grand Union.

Ghetto Chopper is a nickname in the Albany area because they have a bunch of small, old inner-city stores. The one on Delaware Avenue (US 9W) near Albany Medical Center is the worst, but Troy, Glens Falls, and a few other places have one. There are some Price Choppers around here that are the nicest store around. They're either really good or really bad.

Hannaford really varies. Most of the ones in the Capital District have been renovated and are quite nice, such as the one I shop at in Wyantskill. Always clean, always good service. The one in Lansingburgh (Troy) is quite ghetto.

Here, I shop based on sales. If something I want is on sale at Price Chopper, I can't beat the price. Otherwise, it's cheaper at Hannaford and I get it there. Walmart is a pain to get to because I have to deal with NY 7 traffic to get there or travel across town to another one.

I was very disappointed to see in my last visit to Troy that the ghetto Chopper in the Troy Plaza was gone. For all I know though it's been gone for 10 years.

There's still one in Lansingburgh. I've never been in it.

[doorknob60]

To show how lopsided it has become, Kroger has now become the No. 3 chain in the states - I believe by sales. They have been acquiring a lot of chains and either keeping the names intact or rebranding them. Many are loyal to a particular chain and Kroger acknowledges that, unlike Federated/Macy's.

If you haven't been in a Kroger Marketplace, they are impressive - at over 100,000 square feet, Marketplaces will contain furnishings, Bed Bath & Beyond items, along with kitchenware, small appliances and ... food.

So, like Fred Meyer? Kroger also owns Fred Meyer, but FM is only in the northwest. It's quite successful, so I'm not surprised they want to bring the concept to more places. Fred Meyer is probably my favorite "traditional" grocery store (as in, not Costco) to shop. Much better shopping experience than Walmart (and often better than Albertson's and Safeway too), but usually a bit cheaper than Albertson's and Safeway and such. And they have everything. WinCo is another place I like shopping. I don't avoid Walmart, but it's not my first choice, even though it's the closest to where I live.

The only store around I avoid is a small chain called Paul's Market. They burnt me with a super confusing loyalty points program. Basically, you have the loyalty card, but that's not enough to get the advertised prices. You get points for buying things, then to get certain sale prices, you have to "redeem" this points or pay the full price. It's confusing and bullshit, no other store does this. I'll just go to another store (Albertson's got rid of loyalty cards, and Fred Meyer does not affect the price you pay for things, just can save money on gas). I'm okay with loyalty cards like Safeway does (as long as you have the card, you get the sale price, always), but this is unacceptable to me.

[D-Dey65]

The weird thing is that they just opened up a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market in Spring Hill, FL recently.

 

[corco]

The only store around I avoid is a small chain called Paul's Market. They burnt me with a super confusing loyalty points program. Basically, you have the loyalty card, but that's not enough to get the advertised prices. You get points for buying things, then to get certain sale prices, you have to "redeem" this points or pay the full price.

Paul's kicks ass- if you're a frequent shopper you can use points to get things like milk for $.50 a gallon. It's maybe a little bit confusing for infrequent shoppers, but it's awesome. At least the one in McCall - I haven't been to any Paul's down in the valley.

I think Ridley's, anther primarily Idaho chain, does a similar program- at least they did a ten years ago when I lived in McCall. I've only been to Paul's on returns to visit parents in Idaho the last few years.

Fully agreed that WinCo is awesome, and if they ever come to Montana I will give them all my money.

[cl94]

All Kroger Marketplaces I've been in are a sad imitation of Wegmans. Nothing more. As far as chains using their logo, Turkey Hill (the convenience store/gas station chain) is owned by them and uses the new Kroger logo. Look familiar, Pennsylvania people?

The weird thing is that they just opened up a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market in Spring Hill, FL recently.

Walmart is opening a ton of Neighborhood Markets, typically in the middle of low-middle income neighborhoods. Schenectady has one. The concept is a focus area for the chain that directly takes on Price Rite and Save-A-Lot.

[hbelkins]

I rarely go in a Target. Last time was more than two years ago when I bought a wedding present for someone who had been registered there. The last time before that was a couple of years prior to that trip when they had something on sale that my wife wanted.

Target is to Meijer as Meijer is to Walmart. If you want to overpay for something, go to Target.

And as far as Kroger goes, if an item's not on sale there, it costs a war price to buy it. Their sales are decent but i you need something that isn't on sale, you're screwed. I always heard that was because Kroger is so heavily unionized. Even the part-time cashiers who are high school students have to join a union to work there.

[cl94]

And as far as Kroger goes, if an item's not on sale there, it costs a war price to buy it. Their sales are decent but i you need something that isn't on sale, you're screwed. I always heard that was because Kroger is so heavily unionized. Even the part-time cashiers who are high school students have to join a union to work there.

Tops is unionized and has a similar issue. I knew a bunch of people who worked there during high school and they had to join the union. Prices are high unless something is on sale. Their main competitors (Wegmans, Price Chopper, Hannaford) are not unionized and, ironically, tend to have more pleasant employees as well as lower prices.

[froggie]

If you want to overpay for something, go to Target.

Whereas, in the regions I've been in, if you want something cheaper but of lesser quality and a longer time to get to it and get out of the store, you go to WalMart.

[Duke87]

I always found these "I don't want to get a shoppers card because it invades my privacy" arguments funny.  The argument's been going on since these shoppers cards were invented, and I can't think of a single instance where someone's privacy was actually invaded.  What are shopper card server thieves going to do...list all the people that bought whole milk instead of 1%?

For me it's not so much objection to being tracked as it is objection to being nagged. It is way too common a practice for cashiers to ask me if I would like to sign up for a store card when I have expressed no interest in doing so, which is fucking obnoxious and makes me want to say no simply to spite them.

My second reason for not wanting to take part in such programs is simply that I don't consider them to be worth the bother. The bother of having to sign up, the bother of having to either lug around those stupid little keychains or stand there reciting your phone number to the cashier, the bother of having to use a manned checkout lane because you can't recite your phone number to the self checkout, etc.
As far as I'm concerned, the inconvenience of having to deal with all this crap is not worth a modest discount here and there.

If you want to overpay for something, go to Target.

Whereas, in the regions I've been in, if you want something cheaper but of lesser quality and a longer time to get to it and get out of the store, you go to WalMart.

This definitely varies regionally. As far as groceries are concerned, Target is cheaper than its competitors around here. And, like with Froggie, I am 5 minutes from the nearest Target but half an hour (or more, if there's traffic) from the nearest Walmart, so going to the latter does not make much sense regardless of their relative pricing. If I want super cheap but lower quality stuff I can go to Deals, or any number of other bargain bin type places that are all closer than the nearest Walmart.

[cl94]

The tags don't add that much to a keychain. All of my tags, a flashlight, and a flash drive take up less space than my keys. I don't get why so many people complain about it.

[kurumi]

I always found these "I don't want to get a shoppers card because it invades my privacy" arguments funny.  The argument's been going on since these shoppers cards were invented, and I can't think of a single instance where someone's privacy was actually invaded.  What are shopper card server thieves going to do...list all the people that bought whole milk instead of 1%?

I found this at https://epic.org/privacy/profiling/, but could not find the original news story online:

Supermarket profiles can be used against consumers. For instance, Von's Supermarket of California sought to introduce "loyalty card" records in a court case where a consumer had slipped and injured himself in the store. Von's wished to prove that the customer may have been alcohol impaired, and that his loyalty card would show numerous purchases of alcohol. The evidence was ultimately never introduced.

It's certainly plausible that information linked to you could be abused. The chances may be small, and you'll have to weigh that risk, but it's not zero.