At this day and time, episodes like this is still happening, especially at a Store like Wal-Mart who builds its store in minority areas because it receives 74% of our dollars, and to be disrespected in that nature is simply appalling. They apologized but its already been burned into the minds of the people that were in that store at that time. Imagine if it was be an employee or someone having access to things that African Americans buy. A WOW! and scary moment.
I have to disagree with your comment that they build their stores in minority areas. I live in an area where only 35% of residents is ethnic. There are approximately 3 to 4 Wal Marts within a 5 to 6 mile radius from where I reside. If that was the case , Wal Mart would sell more ethnic products. Who's fault is it that Wal Mart receives 74% of their dollars? Wal Mart is overated for the price savings and I know for a fact because I'm an Information Broker and I do tons of research. Although they have been the number one company on the Fortune 500 company list for three years, they still have competition. Racism is everywhere even in ethnic own business. They don't trust there own. Go figure...Make this day a successful one.
Friday, March 19th 2010 at 12:13AM
Antoinette Rogers
I'm sorry sista, I have to disagree with you. Out of 2500 walmart stores in the US 3/4 are in african american areas, and if you walk into one of them, you will see that they sell differently (more african americans products and cheaper quality) than in non minority areas. My request to you, is to check out a walmart in an highly african american community, and you will not want to go back. The quality of products is low and half the time they are out of things. It is a fact that walmart is not overated for price, because they would not be on that fortune 500 list if they didn't give supersavor prices. No one can beat their prices. You can't go up against walmart or sams. Too big. You just have to own your own percent of the market. I deferred from the facts. no matter where walmart is located, african americans should not subjected to that kind of abuse.
The Fortune 500 list has nothing to with supersavings. It's their market value/share price. Which consists of locations worldwide, revenue and so forth. When you say go up against...please elaborate...You have smaller chains like Sav a Lot Stores, Family Dollar, Dollar General, Big Lots, Deals, and the list goes on. These stores receives overstocked items and out of season items from stores like Walmart. Noone should be subject to any type of abuse regardless of the race. I have been to an highly ethnic community Wal Mart. The customer service is horrible so forth as products: Why buy beauty products from a supermarket? There are beauty supply stores like Sally's who sells ethnic products. Walgreens, CVS sells beauty products. Clothing discount stores include, Bealls, Bealls Outlet, TJMaxx, Ross, HomeGoods, the list goes on. Ethnic people should be willing to get out of there comfort zone, step up their game and knowledge. Stop blaming the white man for depression. I have a market research list on companies who do beat Wal Mart prices without a "sale". That's why Wal Mart honors competitors adds when you find a product less expensive. Do your research and maybe you won't deferr from the facts. Make this day a successful and remember that people treat you how you present yourself.
I realize that Walmart is on the list due to their revenue. I was simply stating how they got there. Their prices cannot be competed with. It knocks the small business owner right out the box. That is why so many mom and pop business shut down, (can't compete). I stopped going into alot of the smaller chains because half the time, I have to take products back (broken,don't work), or really search for what I'm looking for and I don't have the time or notion to do so. The only point I see that we disagree is on the comment of Walmart being in mostly predominant African American areas which is a fact. I got my information from the internet, in black and white. It has nothing with prejudice. My jewelry business is thriving, simply because I've carved out a niche for myself. Walmart can't carry what I have created! Again all those beauty supply stores you named can't compete with Walmarts prices. Sally's, Walgreens,Cvs prices are higher.
Friday, March 19th 2010 at 10:23AM
anita moore
I will send you a courtesy market research report showing you that Wal Mart doesn't have the best prices. Yes, you are correct that the only point we disagree on is that Walmart stores being in predominant ethnic areas. All my businesses thrive because of marketing not price. Whenever you market any product (jewelry, clothing etc.) never stay local. Do you think someone would actually buy a specialty item out of Wal Mart? I too have a jewelry line and I sell to private companies who distributes them to Department stores. I would never solicit Wal Mart for representation of my product even if it was a pencil or cotton ball. How much does Wal Mart really give back to communities or charities? The comment at the store about "all the black people leave the store" I wouldn't have been offended just displeased at ignorance and would have continue to shop. Remember that without the product there's no Wal Mart, not the other way around. Pay more attention to the brand and see if they no where they are placing there products. Great debate though. Even though I'm 50% Cherokee noone knows unless they look at my hair or the tiny freckles on my pecan skin. So if Halle Berry, Mariah Carey, Vanessa Williams (both singer and actresses) was in that Wal Mart do you think they would have been offended even though their skin doesn't represent the average color of a BLACK person? It's definitely food for thought. If people get out of there comfort zone, Wal Mart will gently fall back down the Fortune 500 list. Mom and Pop stores close because of poor marketing not because of Wal Mart. Unfortunately I have never had to take something back but I have purchased something from Wal Mart (DVD movie) brand new that was a misfit. I now prefer Best Buy, Big Lots, Brandsmart and other technology stores. Check your Sunday paper every week and see the competition rising. Sallys offers a Beauty Club Card ($5 peryear), Walgreens ALWAYS has beauty products on sale and I stay away from CVS beauty products. The only reason they are higher is because of supply and demand. Why puchase 20 units of ethnic products when only 1% of your customers is ethnic? That's why other stores don't carry too many ethnic products because they don't get the consumers attention. Wal Mart has everyone fooled (except me) they make consumers believe that their prices are lower in reality they are not.
Friday, March 19th 2010 at 10:57AM
Antoinette Rogers
Thanks for the courtesy report. Would love it, but let me say this. My jewelry co. is only 2 years old and my hat co is over 10 yrs old. I've never had to put a penny in marketing. I simply found the right outlets to show my products and thank God that he put the right people in my path. People approach me to do shows, carry my jewelry and hats in their stores etc. Now I want to take my business to the next level, so there is marketing involved but not at the rate I expected. I expect to become a known name like Avon. You're right, I could never buy a specialty item out of Walmart, that's not their marketing concept which to me means more dollars for them. Not to solicit to Walmart for a lower brand of your product is a mistake. Why not benefit off of them. They benefit off of you. How much they give I don't know, but I know they do give because, they have to. They would loose too much of the market, if reports started getting out that they weren't contributing to the black community. Look at Denny's and what they had to go through to get back a part of the black community. Yes I do believe if Halle or Vanessa was in Walmart and heard the statement, they would have been offended. Mariah (no comment). Please view my next blog. Vanessa Williams debates The Blind Side on the view. I would appreciate your comments. Mom and Pop stores close because they can't compete. They don't have the dollars for marketing, less more to lower their prices to compete with bigger cooperatives. Sorry I went to Best buy this weekend to buy a digital camera. It was 299. there. At walmart I got it for 149. My statement still stands. Great debate. Love your passion. God Bless
Friday, March 19th 2010 at 11:54AM
anita moore
Im sorry I stated the camera was 149 at walmart. It was 249. and the cheaper camera without HD and immediate download capability was 199. at Best Buy and 149 at walmart. My mistake.
