A Walmart Supercenter is coming to our small town. As a owner of a small business in town, I'm expanding to make room for the extra 100 customers a day that will check me out.They bring shoppers to town!! Have you ever had to take your wife and daughter shopping? I don't know about your family, but mine takes me to more stores than just Walmart. We go to Walmart last, Thats Dads favorite stop!

From Bangkok--one of the things I miss most here is not being able to shop at my Walmart in Virginia. A great company--enough of union badmouths--I have friends shop and bring things to Thailand for me.

Aww - I love WalMart! My family went on a two long road trips around the US and we always shopped at WalMart- they have such awesome prices, and while some of us buy food, the other girls browse for clothes and jewelry! Also, several times when there were no local campgrounds, we camped in the parking lot and shopped in the morning. Pretty nice from my little point of view!

Like the oil companies dont rip off people. Worse than anything Walmart has ever done.

Wal-Mart is a public company like any other, out to make money for itself and shareholders...it has to do whatever it does to make sure prices are low and people, large numbers of them shop there...similarly, the people who work there do so because they want to...they are no more or less altruistic than any other company, but Madison Avenue told them this American flag waving behavior sells cheap stuff, and it apparently does...if you don't like it, don't shop or work there, I rarely do the former and have never done the latter, but I do not bitch about it, I'll pay a bit more to shop elsewhere...that's America...land of free choices...

walmart is just a common sense operated co, without pushing a what the market will bare ,profit first as others do in this country, greed is not a priorty,some just can't get it ,

I wish we had a Walmart here in lowly Nantwich in the UK. Tents are fine; actually I'd be delighted if they set one up in $50 gazebo. Everytime I visit the States I invariably make a beeline for a Walmart. You really don't know how lucky you are.

For the person that complained about the tent only having name-brands available in order to maximize profit: You are dead wrong. Wal-Mart actually makes more (lots more) money on their equate and cheap, knockoff brands than name brands. Please, before you spout off your opinions, get your facts. And to Isaac from Pheonix: Well said.

This is nothing more than feelygood publicity for Wal-Mart. Shame on MSNBC, shame on you. Wal-Mart, destroyer of towns, lives and creater of our "Wal-Mart" economy. Shame on you MSNBC for falling into that other network publicity trap.

If Wal Mart is so bad then there is no reason why people would work there or why anyone would shop at their stores. Obviously, this is not true. There is a Wal Mart and Sams in Scottsdale, AZ - not exactly a poor neighborhood yet it is packed by thousands of people from all income ranges shopping for bargains. Clearly, it is not a store for the poor only.

As to Waveland, what local retailer is up and running, providing goods and services to the local population? For those who hate Wal Mart, shop at another store, pay more for your goods and feel proud that you helped save a job. It is not rocket science - it is just stocking and ringing up the register. How many people move into management at Safeway vs. Wal Mart? Not many!!!

Years before WalMart came into San Diego County, I had my 2 min0or grandsons at Hershey Park. the heavens opened up and we were soaked to the bone. On the drive back to the motel, I saw a WalMart and pulled into the parking lot.
Upon entering the store I explained to the greeter, I would like to purchase dry clothes for the three of us and change into them taking the price tags to the cashier to pay. She led us to the sale cases for boys stuff and took them onto the dressing room suggesting I take care of myself. I was in a dressing room when she came to tell me the boys underwear and socks were also soaked. I told her to go ahead and get them dry.
Tags in hand and the three of us dry, she took us to the cashier and I paid for our purchases. She packaged up the wet clothes and thanked us for shopping WallMart.

I turned the cart back into the store and spent an additional $200. This was my introduction to WalMart. I was long unhappy with kMart's lack of service, and have never since walked into one.

Now that WalMart is here in my hometown, I am a happy camper. They have not yet been allowed to open a super center, political grandstanding.
Now that the parent of Ralphs may be buying Albertsons, I can only see increased prices for groceries. I do hope I will see a super center soon.

I know organized labor is directly behind the negatives thrown at WalMart. With Ford Motors UAW workers getting 48 minutes per shift for toilet time, nothing surprises me.

WalMart is finding a need and fulfilling it. I do believe that is the formula for success. Big labor is working hard to stifle that.

Wal-Mart is just an euphemism for the "company store" once it moves into your town. I refuse to shop there.

Walmart, or Walmart's insurance, took my brother and his wife to Jacksonville,FA(airfare), kept them in a motel for 5 months, gave them a very reasonable food allowance, while my brother received a liver transplant at Mayo clinic. They continue to cover all of his medication and medical not covered elsewhere and have just footed the bill for same things for his 6 month checkup there. These are obviously not benefits covered by BC/BS - Richie says the company themselves covered it.I could not have afforded that trip, a motel for 5 months - nor could Richard. In a very real way, they saved his life. My favorite place to shop - you bet!!!

I'm absolutely shocked! You people blessing and praising Walmart like they are some gift from above! Do you think they are working out of a tent just because they CARE so much? You are speking from emotion. They are a business, they opened a "tent store" to make money - nothing more, nothing less! And all you people raving about shopping at your local walmart to SAVE money... do you ever think beyond your own selfish needs? How about the nummber of your fellow Americans they have put out of work by buying low quality, low cost merchanside from overseas... no wonder everyone NEEDS to SAVE by shopping at Walmart, you've only forced our workforce out of their decent paying jobs so that they have to go work for the sub-standard pay of a Walmart! Can't you people think beyond your own front door?

As a FREE American to make choices as I see fit as they pertain to me I think it sad that the very people that make the choice to or not to shop at ANY perticular store would get on a forum such as this just to bash a coproration NO MATTER which one it is. It is OUR right to shop and work where we please. If we, or our family members are not happy with where we or they work or wages made. Then it's that persons choice to change it or not. Come on people, this is whats wrong with socity today. To much whinning and not enough changing. It's YOUR choice.

When I first arrived home to Waveland three days after the storm, there were Walmart employees handing out food and water from Walmart trucks along side the National Guard. They were here before FEMA or the Red Cross. We are so thankful that they are here so that we have the opportunity to buy things we need. Not to mention the fact that we can keep our tax dollars here, where we really need them.

For those complaining about Wal-Mart, why not start your OWN company and make more money than you / they could make working at Wal-Mart?

Why not buy your own insurance with the money you make from working for yourself?

Why not quit complaining about a company that employs hundreds of thousands of Americans who might otherwise be working in the modern day equivalent of textile mill slave labour type industries?

Better yet, start a company to compete with Wal-Mart and offer your better wages, better healthcare, etc. With all the complainers out there, you should have a large enough clientele to support yourself and your workers, right? Hmmmm...

My guess is that most of the people who are complaining about wal-mart's low-pay haven't actually been in their local wal-mart lately and seen the type of people it has hired. Many of these people should feel LUCKY to have a job at Wal Mart. And their pay level is probably commesurate with their education, experience, and work ethic.

Wouldn't it be something if WalMart decided to go out of business, layoff the hundreds of thousands of employees and give in to the liberal wackos who can't stand the thought of anyone but the government giving them a paycheck.

Take your government paycheck and go to any other store and buy 1/2 the stuff you could buy at Wal Mart. No one is stopping you.

This country was built on innovation, ingenuity, and industry. Not imbiciles, ingrates, and idiotic rantings from those who don't want to actually work hard to get what they want.

Get an education. Get a job. Get a life.

you know what i dis like is no one ever complains about a MALL going in .. aka speaking of california ppl.. i was born and raised in calif. but they are a no to wal mart and i dont understand as older stores or businesses sooner or later close out as ppl running them age etc. but a mall come in and no one complains.. now wal mart super centers are a little mall in its self but california ppl are so rude in life that they think they are higher then ppl in the usa.. get a life and join the rest of the world.. wal mart does not under pay and does pay health cost speak to the company for yourself do not listen to those other companies that are trying to turn you from them.. as they feel threat. only cause they simple minded as if any store in your neighborhood that treats you right and has what you want will always maintain.. GROW UP IS what ever the ppl want

Why is it that Wal-Mart is so heavily picked on, and Target gets a free pass? I suspect the reason has to do with politics. If Wal-Mart donated to liberal/socialist charities, promoted abortion clinics, and banned Salvation Army bellringers from their properties, there would be no complaints about their profits.

Kevin is exactly right. People simply like to complain for no apparently reason. I haven't seen those complaining note the low wages Target, KMart, Shopko, etc pays. Or the fact that they typically have a less comprehensive benefits package. I know people with degrees that are getting paid the same amount or people working in a more professional capacity that are making just a mite more with horrendous medical coverage. If you want that to change I suggest you talk to your representatives about lifting unrealistic and insane regulation on all business...or talk to them about stopping the insurance lobbies from chipping away at healthcare which can only come from restricting insane lawsuit rewards.
And what used to be "Mom and Pop" stores pay less with absolutely no benefits at all. And believe me, they also sell MANY products not made in the USA. Interestingly that does not seem to increase the ire of those complaining.
As I said, Kevin is simply correct on many fronts. WalMart is a jumping off point for many young adults starting in to the work force, or a place for those who (for whatever reason) didn't achieve a higher education...not that necessarily would get them an awful lot more pay, or retired/elderly/handicapped persons wanting to supplement their income. What in the world is there to complain about that? Many of those people resent the WalMart-haters trying to play fast and loose with their incomes.
Simply stated, it's the mentality that anyone or anything that succeeds is the 'enemy'. Instead of finding pride in that they look to disparage anyone who excels, outside themselves, to strip people of pride and achievement. It's a sad state of affairs when a person has to beat someone down to make themselves feel better. Perhaps if those that complain find real value and appreciation for people from all walks of life they would have a clearer understanding of the importance all business brings to a community. Yes, even those 'lowly' cashiers deserve your respect and kindness. And all the district managers live within the communities their stores are located, yet complainers expect us to believe these people want to harm the community and schools their own children go to. It's just ridiculous.
Oh and by the way, Boston Stores, JC Penny, Carsons...they all sell 'third world' products...so stick your nose up somewhere else...or do something productive like opening a business in your community, make something useful, employ people, and make it economical for your customers. Of course with all the government regulation 'progressive thinkers' have forced on the 'evil' business in this country your chances of failing are quite high. But hey, I guess the complainers think the 'poor' should simply sit around and wait for the government to hand out some moldy cheese. How nice.

All that doesn't change the fact that they're the 5th largest trading partner with the entire COUNTRY of China... and that they've done huge damage the the USA in spite of their ocasional public relations stunts.

WalMart or any other business has the right to sell their merchantise at what ever price they choose. If they pay a low wage, why is anyone working for them? Because they can't get another job paying a zillion bucks an hour. These employees are happy to work for whatever pay they can get as for the most part they can only get this type of work. Many are retired, and don't want to work 40 hrs. I shop WalMart because they sell at a low price. If you want to pay more, shop Macy's.

There was a time when I thought Wal Mart was indeed responsible for keeping grocery prices from sky-rocketing at other grocery stores. It didn't take long to realize that their prices really aren't that much lower and they never have any sales, not to mention the "buy one get one free" sales that other super market's have. Also, if you purchase a food item at Wal Mart, don't expect it to be there the next visit you make. If they don't sell a "truck load" of an item, they will discontinue it. On drugs, check your local drug stores. You will be supprised how often they will be cheaper than Wal Mart. Most folks think just because it is Wal Mart, it's cheaper and never compare prices. They are becoming more in line with their competitor's prices every day. Well, they were before their way of doing business has made headlines recently. I'm sure there are huge discounts looming in the "board room" for Christmas shoppers. Has anyone ever noticed how many "shipping containers" are in the parking areas-straight from China. No middle man, no distribution center. This company is getting rich from Chinese goods and they aren't going to have competitive wages and benefits and will continue hiring the less fortunate folks who can barely make ends meet. I'm happy that a lot of folks have finally realized what this company has been doing for so long.

We,and I include myself in this, lamblast Wal_mart for their substandard employment practices. Then we drive to the nearest Wal-Mart Supercenter and purchase items we need, because they are cheaper and we all want to save a buck. So how hypocritcal can we be by slamming Wal-Mart every chance we get?

I would really be interested to know what the goods that Wal-Mart sells would cost the consumer if they were to purchase virtually everything they sell from manufacturers in the United States, exclusively, and pay above minimum wage, full time employees, all the benefits that so many of us enjoy from our employers such as paid medical, paid sick leave, paid vacations, 401K, pension funds, etc. How much more woudl the products they sell cost us? 25%, 35%, 50% 100% more? Would you be willing to pay those prices?

My perception of Walmart: endless rows of garbagy sugar items for sale, great stuff for kids and parents who cannot differentiate between nutritious food choices and what's in front of them on the shelves.

Women often grossly overweight in those same aisles, with shopping carts full of junk foods

clothes so poorly made that they actually are on the rack with seams coming out, some were dirty, some on the floor.

Cheap, useless merchandise that given its true value was grossly overpriced and marketed to the poor shoppers who cannot afford better.

As for Walmart as an employer, if you live anywhere but in the south, they will never be an employer of choice, low wages, mistreatment of employees, very dubious employee practices.

thanks,
but no thanks.