Wal-mart prices aren't really that low - in the interests of fairness I checked their prices on many of my "staple" groceries. To my surprise (and delight) there wasn't much savings on many items. Smart shopping at Publix or Winn Dixie will save you more $.
Publix, Winn Dixie and Walgreens, etc., do have some excellent loss-leader prices, but Walmart fought back using their "price matching" strategy, which in turn caused these stores to do Buy-one-get-one sales or 10 for $10 which Walmart don't honor. So in a way, having an area Walmart helps drive prices down further. And when a new Walmart comes into an area, I've seen them hang the competitior's ad by the item and then show a lower price (i.e., the ad for advocados on sale at Publix for $0.75 cut out and placed on the advocado bin at Walmart with a price of $0.70.). Walmart was developed on a business strategy that fit nicely into corporate America's desire to keep worker's wages low.
I think the lure of Walmart is not just the lower prices...where can a time-strapped working single mother shop at 4am and pick up a jar of peanut butter; a blonde wig; and a set of radial tires all in one stop?
As long as the American people cling the the ideal of being Debt Slaves, Walmart will prevail.
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