Sometimes, I wonder whether people think about the implications of making there daily purchases from places like Wal-Mart. Do people realize that when Wal-MArt comes into a town they actually LOWER the standard of living for people living in that town. Do people also realize that Wal-Mart also pushes down prices so much that there suppliers need to sell 2 or 3 times as many products to make the same profit they did before Wal-Mart?
Sure, you may say, the cheaper the better, but what's really happening is that companies with this much power don't give a shit about people. They are having a large hand in eliminating the middle class. Sure, the people with the white collars have the type of income where they don't care, as long as they can buy the "toys" they desire, or take the trips, the cheaper the better. The blue collar workers on the other hand find that they need to shop there to make ends meet.
Now, don't get me wrong, for single parents or low income people Wal-Mart(Zellers ETC..) are a godsend, but for families making$100 000+(just a figure) try shopping at regular retailers that offer good service along with solid prices.
Alternatives ??? Sure, try shopping CANADIAN!! Need auto supplies? try Canadian Tire, need running shoes or workout clothes?? try National Sports, need food?? try Dominion, Loblaws, do you need ink for you printer?? try Canada computers or Logic Computer warehouse. It's not difficult to find a well priced alternative to the evil that is Wal-Mart.
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Stouffville Wal-Mart ..... What an f-ing mess!
I always thought Uxbridge F-ed up badly when they allowed Wal-Mart to put a larger sign up then was allowed in town bylaws, but what bylaws did Stouffville amend to allow Wal-Mart to build the biggest mess in the Country??
It really turns my stomach to think that a company like Wal-Mart, a company that screws everybody in the supply chain along with costing low/middle income earners there wages, can walk into smaller towns and pretty much demand the town give in to each whim.
Oh, and if you don't think this affects wages, just talk to the managers at any of the grocery stores you shop. They have all seem a huge drop in income, wages are being curtailed, and in order for people to keep there jobs people are being forced to accept a drop in wages and benefits.
Oh, Wal-MArt hasn't been all bad, there insistance on suppliers maximizing there efficiency, the use of certain ordering systems, the integration between Wal-Mart and its' suppliers has revolutionized retailing. All good things, but at a huge cost to employees.
Tell me, haven't you seens a complete lack of courtesy among shoppers when you're in Wal-Mart?? I have, and I don't see that as much with better retailers.
All I ask is that you try to shop with a conscience, and think about me living on the streets when my union comes back and tells me to accept a $4 and hour wage cut ALL because of Wal-Mart. YES, I blame it on Wal-Mart because before them we all got along well together, now Wal-Mart is the bully and that doesn't bode well for Canadian retailers.
