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When someone brings up Wal-Mart in conversation, what do you immediately think? Some people probably have memories of cheap clothes and off brand food items, or even low quality items. The truth is, even with a negative image of Wal-Mart in our minds, we still shop there and its competition has definitely taken notice.

Other companies like Target and even Family Dollar Stores have started implementing some of the same practices Wal-Mart has had for years. If you’ve noticed, there have been more and more “Super Target” stores popping up that sell grocery items just like Wal-Mart. Now, in my opinion, the offerings from Target are a bit more high quality and definitely less “everyday” like Archer Farm’s foods.

One of the main reasons why Target didn’t start this policy in the past is because retail items such as clothing have a higher profit margin than food items. However, it is seen now that if you can get a customer in the door with food items, then perhaps they will also start purchasing the other items with the higher profit margins at your store as well.

Target was once known for its inexpensive, yet stylish, clothing. Wal-Mart has since followed suit introducing the clothing lines George and even getting clothing maker L.E.I. to start making juniors clothing for the stores. So, once Wal-Mart has the customer in the door, then that customer is more likely to buy an item from the LEI brand than Merona or a Target brand.

However, from now on I will be doing all of my shopping for fresh items such as produce and meats from stores other than Wal-Mart. The last few times I have purchased either of these from a local Wal-Mart, they spoiled well before their time. On Wednesay June 3, I stopped by the nearest Wal-Mart to pick up some treats for my dog’s birthday and I noticed that seedless watermelons were on sale. I picked one up because my husband and I both like watermelon. Later that night, we went to cut it open and it was completely spoiled and waterlogged. The weekend of Memorial Day a similar situation happened with sirloin steak from Wal-Mart; when we went to cook the steaks before the use by date, they were also ruined. That time, I got sick from the food, even after cooking it until it was “well-done.”

The watermelon situation was the final incident, I will be buying those items, at a premium, from my local Kroger store or from a farmer’s market.

Jeremy

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