Punditchick worries that WalMart in Europe might provoke a backlash of anti-Americanism. I think I can put her mind at rest. WalMart has about 8 % of the US retail trade. In the UK we already have another company with that sort of volume, Tesco. Walmart, through their purchase of Asda, is number 2 in the market, and seen as a useful piece of competition to keep Tesco’s on their toes.
WalMart in Europe
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10 responses
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It will be the typical love/hate relationship: buying there because of the good prices and quality while denouncing American hegemony.
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Of course. Those dastardly Bentonvillites, making everything cheaper.
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It is hysterical that a huge corporation like Wal-Mart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.
I understand your point that the UK already has it’s own big retail monster, but I never meant to convey that the UK would be the problem.
I think France, Germany and Belgium will be the countries that most resent the Bentonville Invasion.
Is there domestic hostility to Tesco like the contempt and fear of Wal-Mart that is brewing in some areas of America? You might have heard about the story where one large city’s council voted against having a Wal-Mart built in their area.
Is everything in Tesco also made in China?
In America Wal-Mart is dominant in retail, it is now looking to control the grocery market. It has caused many toy store chains and small businesses to close shop.
Our local manufacturers simply can’t compete with Chinese Sweat Shops.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Sam Walton’s story– a good old boy from rural America making (not good) but great warms my heart. But it is a bittersweet thing when I consider that the all American company that Wal-Mart started as has become a threat to the American fabric– fabric no longer being made in the American textile belt which is in shambles.
I don’t think the executive board of Wal-Mart is part of the Axis of Evil, and I hope that Europeans accept Wal-Mart and benefit from it, but I think that is a long shot.
Aren’t you folks already blaming America for your growing obesity problem? I don’t want to be blamed for the homogenization or continued Americanization of Europe. -
I love this sort of muddled thinking:
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It has caused many toy store chains and small businesses to close shop. ”
No mate, the CUSTOMERS have caused those businesses to close. Nobody HAS to shop at Walmart or Tesco’s. They just prefer to. And you problem with that is what? Do you want us all foreced back into the Co-op? -
I love this sort of muddled thinking:
“It has caused many toy store chains and small businesses to close shop.”
No mate, the CUSTOMERS have caused those businesses to close. Nobody HAS to shop at Walmart or Tesco’s. They just prefer to. And you problem with that is what? Do you want us all forced back into the Co-op by the State? -
I believe that people should have the right to shop where they want to. But there has been collateral damage from Wal-Mart’s dominance.
The Main Streets of America have been casualties. Small businesses that make odds and ends have been boarded up. Whole industries have been decimated for a marginal benefit to the consumers.
Don’t get me wrong, I go to Wal-Mart. My local store is open 24 hours, and if I need cotton balls, munchies or cheap underwear at 2 in the morning I go there without hesitation. -
Just to move off subject slightly but young women who need new underwear at 2 am? Just where did you say that you were based?
On the subject of collateral damage, well, yes, of course there has been. There is such damage in every economic change: Sears Roebuck did something very similar a century ago with their catalogue to the small town stores out on the prairies. The question becomes whether the benefits outweigh the damage. There are two ways we can decide this, one being a political process in which those who shout oudest win. The other is to use the market itself as our information gatherer. 290 million people voting with each and every dollar every single day. Each and everyone of them maeks their decisions based on their own estimation of costs and benefits. As Hayek pointed out repeatedly, its the only functioning system we have to filter through the information that is out there.
Tim -
As a non european living in southern europe I would welcome the introduction of a SERVICE orientated retail point….one that is perhaps open until late would be even more interesting! However, my 10 years of experience here would indicate that the “locals” will not openly accept this kind of change! Why? If you know the answer to this, please let me know.
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I live in Spain (Madrid) and I am tired to pay a lot of money for everything. I am sure that a Wal-Mart near my house will change my live
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Yeah.. im from america. im just saying. wal-mart sucks here also.
Tho its good $$$$$ my friend works there and make what is it 2,000$/month which is roughly 1000 pounds? imo thats good. but yeah i agree people dont need to shop at wal-mart. they choose to because everything is cheap. thats why small buisness owners close down. and then everyone gets upset because they close down and they have been there forever. if people didnt shop at wal-mart the small businesses would still be open and wal-mart would be gone. So its the peoples own fault. *straigt up
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