[billethkid]

rearrangement of the store it is obvious the aisles are wider....the product(s) offered are significantly reduced.
For example their outdoor section this season is like one fourth of an aisle and an end cap.
They seem to be scaling down the mix in this store.

Anybody else note the difference(s)??

btk

[faithfulfrank]

At first when I read your post, I thought you meant that the prices were reduced.
I always thought the prices were higher at that Sam's Club compared to others outside the area.

Frank

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by billethkid

rearrangement of the store it is obvious the aisles are wider....the product(s) offered are significantly reduced.
For example their outdoor section this season is like one fourth of an aisle and an end cap.
They seem to be scaling down the mix in this store.

Anybody else note the difference(s)??

btk

Suits us fine.
We have not been to a Sam's or a Wally World for almost 10 years.
Few reasons:
1.We've been making an effort to support locally-run establishments
2.We've been trying to avoid Chinese goods (though they are one of millions of places that have them, the abundance is high
3.Though many other local places are nationally-owned and -run, and offer Chinese goods, the next group of reasons we'll save for the Political forum since it involves business and other ethical topicality.

BtK - we are sure you can find what you have missed at Sam's somewhere close.

Happy Shopping!

L&L

[hoseman]

I spend our money where our patronage is appreciated and that's not WalMart.
The little guys are what made this country great as people need to remember that.

[jblum8156]

I don't know how successful you can be in avoiding Chinese merchandise by not shopping at big box stores. The expensive high-end stores (i.e., Nordstrom, Pottery Barn, etc.) have nothing but Chinese goods.

[BobKat1]

Originally Posted by billethkid

rearrangement of the store it is obvious the aisles are wider....the product(s) offered are significantly reduced.
For example their outdoor section this season is like one fourth of an aisle and an end cap.
They seem to be scaling down the mix in this store.

Anybody else note the difference(s)??

btk

btk, funny you should mention/notice this. I worked for a large consumer products company, and still talk to former co-workers who haven't retired yet. They tell me that Wal Mart/Sam's are indeed scaling back the product mix in their stores. In many categories they are going to have a store brand and only one or two national brands. The hope is to be more efficient.

[graciegirl]

Fewer SKU's is a result of the economic downturn. They are buying fewer products and only the ones that turn faster. Most successful retailers are doing that now.That is just good business sense.

Walmart and Sam's have ENORMOUS buying power so they can offer merchandise cheaper than smaller stores.

In this day and age I am looking for bargains whereever I can find them. Who knows what tomorrow will bring economically?

[Xavier]

Originally Posted by hoseman

I spend our money where our patronage is appreciated and that's not WalMart.
The little guys are what made this country great as people need to remember that.

They didn't start any littler than Mr. Walton's store! It is the American Success Story and you need to remember that.

[BlueHeronFan]

Originally Posted by billethkid

rearrangement of the store it is obvious the aisles are wider....the product(s) offered are significantly reduced.
For example their outdoor section this season is like one fourth of an aisle and an end cap.
They seem to be scaling down the mix in this store.

Anybody else note the difference(s)??

btk

Could be part of the "New" thinking.
http://pressroom.samsclub.com/News/9591.aspx

[TrudyM]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Fewer SKU's is a result of the economic downturn. They buy fewer products and only the ones that turn faster. That is just good business sense.

Walmart and Sam's have ENORMOUS buying power so they can offer merchandise cheaper than smaller stores.

In this day and age I am looking for bargains whereever I can find them. Who knows what tomorrow will bring economically?

I was thinking the same thing when I read your post. What non retail people may not understand is the trickle down effect of this economy on retail big box and specialty retail as well.

I have managed small stores, and have been in merchandise buying/planning side of big box.

If you go into Macy's or any large chain you will see much more of their own label, than in previous years. They commit to the volume and manufacture of the goods almost a year in advance of shipment. They have paid for this stuff and can't cancel the orders. They can cancel the orders for name brands. So when stuff isn't moving they cancel what they can and pricecut the private label (their own brands) to try and bring in the customers, they have better profit in those goods so they can.

The small stores can only cut their staff as they have high rents on their stores and not alot of profit margin to play with. As I am sure you have noticed (I don't know about the villages bubble) many small stores are closing.

Result layoffs of retail employees at all levels and also domestic manufacture (their isn't alot around anyway) and design. You may be supporting US workers even if the goods are made offshore as the designers and distributors may be US. But alot of these lines are high end. Tommy Bahama is an example that comes to mind.


More than you ever wanted to know, I run on sorry. Subject hit a nerve as I am a laid off retail planner.

Trudy

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by jblum8156

I don't know how successful you can be in avoiding Chinese merchandise by not shopping at big box stores. The expensive high-end stores (i.e., Nordstrom, Pottery Barn, etc.) have nothing but Chinese goods.

Agree, which is why we said the political reasons were the third link will come out when and if we decide to go back to that peppery forum.

We have owned two retail stores for over 30 years and as much we try, we're saturated with Chinese goods, some very high quality, but when we can we choose elsewhere. Not so much for quality but for political reasons.

When we do get a predominantly US made higher ticket item, we apply a patriotic USA postage stamp to the front.

A small store can grow huge and still maintain fairer practices with Vendors, Customers, and Employees.

We'll be re-evaluating Sam's and WM again soon, especially following their attempts towards global sustainability and environmental concerns.


L&L

[LELANDJANE]

I stopped in Sam's today and noticed that the furniture display has disappeared. I didn't realize they had rearranged but did notice some differences. Also, there were fewer checkout lines open. Still a good crowd of shoppers though.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by billethkid

rearrangement of the store it is obvious the aisles are wider....the product(s) offered are significantly reduced.
For example their outdoor section this season is like one fourth of an aisle and an end cap.
They seem to be scaling down the mix in this store.

Anybody else note the difference(s)??

btk

Haven't been to Sam's lately but now that you mention it, I noticed fewer displays in the aisles at Walmart. I thought they may be preparing for some rearranging but nothing has happened. I also noticed an increase of shelf space occupied but their Great Value line.

[chuckster]

Since I'm vertically challenged, could finally see over and down all the widened aisles at Sam's.

Can't deal with too many choices, .........chuckster

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Fewer SKU's is a result of the economic downturn.

I knew what SKU meant but I didn't know what it stood for. I mean, I knew what it stood for but had no idea what it meant. Oh well, I hope you know what I mean.
Of the three meanings I gleaned from Wikipedia, I assume Gracie is referring to the first. However, not knowing the meaning of manga and anime, there is a remote possibility she is referring to number two. I ruled out number three as if it were that Gracie would have posted in the political forum.
I ruled out number four totally. Fewer adjoining villages in India would have little effect on our economy.
Get my meaning? I don't.


SKU is a three-letter acronym that may stand for:
Stock-keeping unit
Shoujo Kakumei Utena, a Japanese manga and anime
Sveriges Kommunistiska Ungdomsförbund, Young Communist League of Sweden
Sku may also refer to Skiu-Kaya, adjoining villages in India