I think the idea is not so much "Wal-Mart versus Target" as it is "Wal-Mart versus nothing." The Wal-Mart experience is, generally, vastly superior to local mom-and-pop stores across all metrics: selection, price, knowledge base of staff, etc.

And in those locations where Wal-Mart gets sloppy, Target can, as you point out, keep them honest.

In any event, consumers are the winners.

WalMart is evil.

My family has had some sort of employment at KMart for over 17 years now, so my opinion is *just a little* biased!

Long live KMart!!!!

(Target is OK, too)

Brad :-)

We need a Wal-Mart here...I am begining to loathe Carrefour!

There is a heirarchy associated with shopping, which goes by your class system and how you wish to spend your money....

KMart

I for one have never shopped at a Wal-Mart. I, too, walked into one when I was in college. Turned right around and walked out and haven't been in one since.... I prefer shopping some places safe, such as from my computer at armani.com ;-)

Every Walmart I've EVER been in has been disgustingly dirty, with aisles crammed full of boxes and random product. The staff is vacant at best, and the customers make me (at times) afraid for my life.

But hey... I can save $.20 on Kleenex. WTF?

How can a store this SLOPPY become the number 1 company in the WORLD? It Mystifies me.

I totally agree with you that the Wal-Mart experience leaves little to be desired. I used to be a die-hard Wal-Mart shopper until I experienced Target - now I hardly shop anywhere else. The interesting thing is, we have two Wal-Marts here - a crummy, slummy one and a super-center that is totally chic - but I still don't shop there. Ironically - I have yet to find better prices at Wal-Mart vs. Target. And I totally prefer shopping and spending my money at a chain that supports gays. Rock on, Target!

~Ziggy

no

One of the news shows did the report on Walmart. (60 min?)

Walmart's thing is to get the lowest price, or sell at the lowest price. The cheapest. But that is only true on the stuff on the isle ends, not the stuff on the shelves, where you usually pay as much if not more than at k-mart or target. So, they give their customers the impression that everything at Walmart is cheeper. That's their schtick.

K-mart and Target did not build their companies on destroying mom & pop shops in small towns, that's why Walmart is has the largest sales in the US.

Also Walmart goes to a manufacturer like Rubbermaid and tells them what they will pay. When Rubbermaid couldn't sell at that price, walmart went to a lesser brand, dropped Rubbermaid who had to lay off thousands of workers. I prefer Rubbermaid products and will pay the extra buck for a well made american product. None of this crap is expensive.

Any way, if you want a bargain at Walmart, just buy from the end of the isle, where they have the price points and skip the shelves.

This one is easy...Walmart Sucks!