Just when we think Wal-Mart is gaining ground in certain areas, it loses in others. This is nothing new to a point, as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has a whole host of things against it every day; fierce competitors try to chip away at pieces of its business with differentiated offerings and fresher strategies, and many communities that will stop at nothing to keep the world's largest retailer from entering certain cities and towns.Wal-Mart estimated over the weekend that October same-store sales will increase only 0.5% in October, setting the stage for possible share turnover today (it's already underway -- the stock is down 2.64% to $49.39 at last check) to more and more comparisons against Target, which continues to outshine much-larger competitor Wal-Mart every month with higher same-store sales reports. Remember though -- a 2% gain at Wal-Mart is not equitable to a 2% gain at Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) -- the two chains are quite different beasts when it comes to overall sales and revenue figures, with Wal-Mart being about five times larger than Target in terms of overall revenues.
But, with that being said, Wal-Mart's latest estimate has been dropped in the midst of a series of sales misses. Wal-Mart has struggled, and will continue to do so, to shed its bargain-basement image and attract higher-scale customers. These are the ones who now flock to Target, which has made that exact transformation in the public eye recently. Wal-Mart has one massive re-badging effort to go, and I'm not sure if they can ever get there without incredible moves -- which most of us have not seen yet.
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Reader Comments (Page 22 of 22)
11-18-2006 @ 11:01PM
Kevin said...
Target is not French owned, it's an idiot's tale
11-24-2006 @ 2:46AM
Marlene said...
I think it was a big mistake for Wal-Mart to do away with their layway. That is the way most people buy thier kids Christmas present.Some people do not have the money to pay for Christmas present all at one time. What are the poor people suppose to do. I always use layway at different times of the year for school,birthdays and etc. There is giong to be alot of mad people this Friday. They should have ask their customer before they done away with it.
12-02-2006 @ 11:33AM
Jerry Bluhm said...
Wal-Mart's sales are down because they chose to be much more competitive during the last quarter, and past month. Wal-Mart could raise their prices to match many of Targets and have a 4 percent increase in sales. They could adjust prices and most shoppers would not even know it, but Wal-Mart does try to bring the best prices to its shoppers. Wal-Mart is extremely well ran and that is why people shop there and get great deals. Because they are sucessful and have a great stream of revenues is the reason they are being attacked by those who want a piece of the pie without earning it. Unions would love to get into Wal-Mart so they could charges dues to Wal_marts thousands of employess. Where ever the money is you will find the sharks. That is what is going on with Wal-Mart. Look at those who are attacking Wal-Mart, its liberals who once again want to play robin hood. If you become sucessful and begin to really improve your lifestyle by your honest hard work then expect the liberals to come after you with tax hikes and criticism. It seems like in this country today if you are sucessful, individually or corporately than you should be criticised. Things sure have changed in the last 50 years.
12-05-2006 @ 6:23PM
Louie said...
The above user's comments about not shopping at Target because it's French owned are hilarious. I do not know if Target is French owned, but it would be a downright shame to discover that the French are paying Target employees better wages and offering better health care coverage over an American owned company. If this is the case, I will gladly purchase my goods at Target over Wal-Mart any day just knowing that more of my dollar is going back to the Target worker.
12-05-2006 @ 1:42PM
Paul Armitage said...
Why do people say Target is French owned when it's not? http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/target.asp
12-20-2006 @ 2:24PM
bert said...
We should all STOP SHOPPING at Walmart! The richest company in the world and yet they treat thier workers unfairly, pay them nothing, and provide them next to nothing in healthcare, but they do pay at the federal minimum wage. Walmartls low prices come at the expense of the working class people that try to earn a living by working a 30 hour Fulltime work week at $6.00 an hour. If you wouldnt let your friends and family work there, dont Shop there.. Its time the American people take a stand against the richest company in America!!! Happy Holidays to all that feel the same.
12-23-2006 @ 11:38AM
Matt said...
Just in case you didn't know, nearly 80% of WalMarts employees are on some kind of public assistance. Thats means that we, the tax payers are paying for the employees benefits. Could be one reason why they have good prices. I prefer to shop at Costco. The employees are paid alot better and the company really takes care of their employees. You would think a company like Walmart would pay their employees a better wage and not offer them public assistance when they good through orientation.
12-22-2006 @ 7:42AM
Ron Nobles said...
...I need to find my wife in a Target store last week..I ask the customer service to page her for me..they refused..I talk to the manager..(it is against the company policy to page anyone),,so..i walked all over that store calling my wifes name out loud trying to find her...I WILL NOT EVER SHOP IN ANOTHER TARGET STORE AS LONG AS I LIVE....and we did not buy anything...there...We then went to Walmart to shop..
12-24-2006 @ 12:35AM
blah blah said...
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peace yo jigga from outa space
12-26-2006 @ 4:13PM
Carole said...
I just wanted to comment on the fact that everyone acts like walmart ia the only company to buy there clothing from other countries, when in fact all the stores, Target, K-mart, and many others all get there clothing from the same manufacturers, I work for Wal-mart and have seen many misshipments come to our stores in freight with K-mart, Target, J.C. Pennies and various other businesses tags on the clothing..So they are purchasing there clothing from the same so called "sweat shops" that they say Wal-mart uses.. There are good and bad things about all companies, I have friends that work for many different businesses, and they all have compalints about there jobs, be it Target, K-mart, Bon Macy, Fred Meyer, and such.. The person who remarked that the Walton family doesnt donate money for good causes, has no idea what they are talking about.. Maybe they should check out there information more before stating such a stupid remark.. I have worked for the company for 14 years, I have seen good and the bad.. You have to expect that with any company, that is what growth and the economy is all about..