Power Sellers Unite

elgato · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 17236 Location: Texas

Walmart loves to shock and awe. City-size stores, absurdly low prices ($8 jeans!) and everything from milk to Matchbox toys on its shelves. And with the recession forcing legions of stores into bankruptcy, the world's largest retailer now apparently wants to take out the remaining survivors.

Thus, the company is in the beginning stages of a massive store and strategy remodeling effort, which it has dubbed Project Impact. One goal of Project Impact is cleaner, less cluttered stores that will improve the shopping experience. Another is friendlier customer service. A third: home in on categories where the competition can be killed. "They've got Kmart ready to take a standing eight-count next year," says retail consultant Burt Flickinger III, managing director for Strategic Resources Group and a veteran Walmart watcher. "Same with Rite Aid. They've knocked out four of the top five toy retailers, and are now going after the last one standing, Toys "R" Us. Project Impact will be the catalyst to wipe out a second round of national and regional retailers." (See 10 things to buy during the recession.)

Though that's bad news for many smaller businesses that can't compete, Walmart investors have clamored for this push. Despite the company's consistently strong financial performance, Wall Street hasn't cheered Walmart's growth rates. During the 1990s, the company's stock price jumped 1,173%. In this decade, it's down around 24% (Walmart's stock closed at $51.74 per share on Sept. 3). "Walmart is under excruciating pressure from employees and frustrated institutional investors to get the stock up," says Flickinger.
more.. link to news article

Another monopoly?

PistolPetee · Joined: 19 Dec 2009 Posts: 43

just wondering will walmart and dollar stores put an end to online selling ?

walmart is challenging and threatening one of the big BOYS amazon. Walmart has taken over and ended mom and pops brick and mortar retail stores...so why not online selling also.. since they can really bring their big advantage of having returns coming to any walmart store which are in every community. and the dollar stores also could do this to online shopping..

will it soon be over for all resellers and sellers who use drop shippers?? about the only group i can see that will be left standing is the ones making their own items.

all resellers and ones using drop shippers will have to get a job with walmart or the dollar stores.

just a matter of time before these brick and mortar stores realizes just how they CAN take over nearly all online selling.. yes both amazon and ebay will be hurt by this

the future with online selling will be ONLY if a buyer can have a physical place close by to take returns if needed.. this will give alot more security to online buyers.

mojavelyn · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:33 pm Post subject:

I don't think Wally and Dollar Stores will put the online Mom and Pop out of online business, unless Wally wants to become a crafter or antique/collectable dealer... Sure you can buy packages of sports cards at Wally, but can you find that one card to complete your set or series?

As for the reduction of dropshipping... Google will take care of that.

goldenlady · Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 406

Those who sell American made products have little to fear with WalMart.

Shoppers who want quality products, won't settle for the products made overseas or Mexico.

WalMart also does not carry full lines of any American made products. They may have a few of this and a few of that but not a full line.

Nope, not a threat to too many.

Stockmiser · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 1169

Oh, I think drop shipping is dead regardless of walmart. Back in the day when wholesalers didn't want to mess with online retail, it might of made sense, but now they are either selling direct or bigger retailers can sell it cheaper. IMHO, it was a short-lived phenomena that ran its course.

I think I said this way back around 2005 that my dad (25+ years as a wholesaler) thought that ultimately brick the online retail world will look a lot like the real world. Walmart, Best Buy, Office Depot, etc all have both a financial advantage as well as a widespread physical presence - which comes in real handy for returns, repairs, and support in general.

In the end, big corps can not only have slicker websites, but have the big advantage of economy-of-scale. They can buy in bigger volumes, offer better return policies, free shipping, and provide 24-hour support.

The unique, collectible, handmade, and artsy stuff - since they cannot be scaled up for the large retailers - will still remain the domain of the smaller online seller. In large groups - like Etsy and Artfire - they create a significant market.

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4780

When I still had my B&M, WalMart didn't hurt my business any.

Since they refused to sell CDs with a Parental Advisory, I made money from people that didn't want the censored or sterilized version of an album.

And with WalMart refusing to carry the new Green Day album due to the band's refusal to drop one song from the album and change the lyrics to two others, that's more money for the smaller music shop.

At one point, I had Best Buy, WalMart, MediaPlay, Circuit City, MusicLand (Sam Goody's) & KMart as competitors, yet I did okay.

Plus, it's doubtful that they can get their hands on out-of-print material or imported titles, unless you want the cheap quality Chinese bootleg copies (LOL).

As for the dollar stores, I'm sure everyone will be perfectly happy with the choice of $1 DVDs that they offer.....NOT!

hotnana · Joined: 02 Feb 2008 Posts: 875

Wal Mart sells common items, most people shopping online are looking for particular or unique items. You can't buy vintage at Wal Mart nor can you find very many items of quality. I don't shop online for Folgers coffee but I certainly shop for unique items...that's the difference! Wally can't and will never be able to compete with vintage, collectibles or unique items.

Not everyone is shopping for a bargain...that's what Wal Mart and Dollar stores are known for. There's a whole nuther world out there!

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4780

Maybe you should be asking if the Dollar Stores will put WalMart out of business?

PistolPetee · Joined: 19 Dec 2009 Posts: 43

But the thing is.. what walmart and the dollar stores sells with brick and mortar they can totally change to fit online shoppers..

the point is they have a big advantage as stockmiser can see also.. and the ability for buyers to come to a physical store for refunds if needed ..

and that whole other world they also can wrap up too with those advantages.

with their brick and mortar stores they carry what best suits the population base there.. and they can do the very same thing with online shoppers which they don't have to put up in a certain amount of physical space.... that certain amount of space is WHY they don't sell the OTHER stuff.. with online they are NOT limited they can sell anything .

again the key is their physical presence for buyers that will make it where they can take away all online selling... just a matter of time to me.. and they have already threatened one of the big boys and they can do it too..

walmart saw what would make the best profit in their amount of limited space.. they beat everyone... with online they do not have to go that way... they can go into EACH area of retail that makes a profit and will WIN in each area... again cause of the physical presence...

yes they and other big brick and mortar stores will soon make online selling end for mom and pops.. mom and pops will have to work for the walmarts.....

goldenlady · Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 406

haha

Looks like there is a bad case of tunnel vision or a WalMart employee has struck PSU boards.

Sorry, I am laughing.

I just get a chuckle out of the thought WalMart imported junk items sitting next to high quality American made items, unique and collectible antiques and vintage items and high quality handcrafted items.

WalMart junk does not compare to the above items.

Those that like the finer things in life, which there are many, will not shop at WalMart or like stores.

Many of us are not threatened in the slightest by WalMart.

www_dr-accutron_com · Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 506

You let me know when Wally World starts selling vintage Bulova Accutron watches and parts. When that happens I'll go down the street and apply as a door greeter at the local WW store.

By the way they don't carry the Accutron line of new Bulova watches either. They only carry the cheaper Bulova and Caravelle lines. So if I did want to sell new watches I could still compete, as they carry the lower end merchandise.

PistolPetee · Joined: 19 Dec 2009 Posts: 43

the point is which corp has succeeded the best in making the best profit??

why did they succeed over all others including the finer things in life retailors ??? cause they understood what was needed and wanted the BEST of any corp and organized it better than any.. their higher profit is the PROOF they were right over the finer things in life retailors..

now they brought in the BEST selling items over all to fit their limited brick and mortar stores.... with online they do not have to be limited

they can sale their regular stuff which is the HIGHEST profit as they have proven they can sell those and then go after any and all other profit selling items.. cause no limited space.... and with physical loacations in every town for buyers to do returns they would grab ALL online buyers...

stockmiser understood this ... and yes will be harder for vintage and arts and crafts items BUT they can do those TOO..

just a matter of time before some of these box stores like sears along with walmart takes over all online selling...because of the trust factor and the physical locations they will bury mom and pops online stores.. sad to say this.. BUT this will happen if people don't wake up to the govt and what they are doing.. online sellers can never make it profitable to work independent they will have to work for these companies

hotnana · Joined: 02 Feb 2008 Posts: 875

Dave I was just thinking the same thing! I just sold a piece of vintage American Tourister luggage for $90. You can buy a brand new 3 piece set of AT luggage for less at Wally!
There will always be a need for a place to shop for essentials, food and of course bargains. Even if a shopper isn't shopping online for items, Wally just isn't the place to buy silk pillows, fine bedding or a fancy prom dress! Naw tain't going to happen!

mojavelyn · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:48 am Post subject:

Not as long as Wal-mart treats towns that won't kiss their royal patoot... with 4th rate merchandise. Wally decided to remodel the stores and reduce inventory in some areas... gee, the clothing they got in has been there for over 6 months. Stuff that came in last spring... is still on the racks.

PistolPetee · Joined: 19 Dec 2009 Posts: 43

again walmart can change to any and ALL profitible items that sells online since no physical limitation.... they proved they knew what buyers wanted most in their limited space .. their PROFIT over any other stores is the proof they were right.

the watch man.. if he is making profit online they CAN take that away very easily .. again the physical location and trusted name ...as long as the govt allows this ... all sellers would have to be walmart employees and the govt has allowed them to make mom and pop stores quit and have to work for walmart.. so the govt is HELPING do this..

stop thinking of what walmart is selling in their stores... they are selling what makes the best profit.. remember they changed from selling ONLY american made goods at first until they saw the bigger profit of selling chinese made goods... but this fits their limited space

with online they can sell all areas and all interests.. they can get the american made only group AGAIN same as the high luxury items..