Bad Times Ah Coming....

I stopped by Wal-Mart yesterday morning on my way to work. I needed some C batteries for a new dog toenail grinder that we own and I figured I might as well treat myself to the cheapest possible batteries on the planet. C batteries are not a size we inventory in the Wreggie household.

I am not a big fan of Wal-Mart. The stores are too big, too crowded, most of the employees are not helpful, but I will shop there if I need a commodity type item because they are cheap.

What shocked me when I walked in Wal-Mart was the sparkling cleanliness of the store.  It was very noticeable. The floor was shiny, the carpet clean and one well dressed elderly greeter beckoned me in.

To the right was a well stocked display of Christmas Decorations marked down to .75 cents each but apparently no takers.

I looked around and there were no customers, just employees stocking shelves. All the shelves were fully stocked and aligned perfectly. It looked like they were about to do a photo shoot for the Wal-Mart annual report.

It’s very strange…when Americans turn off the spending spigot; retail freezes up even at Wal-Mart. I have never witnessed such frugality in my lifetime.

More bad times are coming I suppose.   

10 comments:

Rock Chef said...

This is evident over here. Our big stores are suffering badly. Woolworths (one of our oldest chains) just closed for good, Zavvi (which took over the Virgin Mega Store chain) is going, Marks and Spencer (another old, established name) is trimming its under performing stores. It goes on. People are just not spending like they were.

Unknown said...

Not here in FL, the Wal-Marts are still full of minorities and rednecks! They overflow into the parking lot where their beat up pick-up trucks take up every space you can find.

And isn't "clean Wal-Mart" an oxymoron anyway?!!

TerryC said...

Last time we went to Kmart (last week I think) it was as it usually is. But there is no competition here. We're just always glad to have a department store.

After hurricane Marilyn in 1995, Woolworths left, and we had nothing for a couple of years.

A dog toenail grinder! Sounds scary! Do the kids run and hide when they hear the sound?

Reggie Hunnicutt said...

Terry the toenail thing is new. I'm sure the pack will scatter when we turn it on.

We mainly bought the toenail grinder for Cedie. She has Grizzly bear claws and will not allow them to be clipped. If you force the issue she will go into a seizure.

If that fails I plan to take her to Washing State to where she can swipe salmon out of rivers with her claws.

Ali said...

In Canada, the stores are so packed that it's like everyone has uncontrollable diarrhea and Walmart is the only place that stocks adult diapers.

As you know, I hate Walmart.

terri said...

I seriously thought you were going to admit it was a dream you had. I clean, tidy and efficient Walmart? I'd love to see this.

Chris said...

I think Wal-Mart will never close down. Too much cheap shit for cheap prices....

I can verify that Cedie does in fact have bear claws. Ouch.

Jay said...

We only have two clothing department stores here in town and one of them Goody's is closing down this weekend. And it seems like half the buildings in town are sitting empty.

Reggie Hunnicutt said...

That is what was so shocking Terri a clean, tidy and efficient Walmart.

This particular Wal-Mart is old, crowded and dirty but not last week.

It is still old.....

Judy said...

My Wal Mart is still going strong.