Why so few Wal-mart/Target in LA? (Burbank, Highland: apartment, neighborhoods)

[waterfront kobe japan]

Originally Posted by trancedout

Thinking more about the logistics of the actual move now. And it dawned upon how much I could streamline the process having one of these nearby.

The reason I mention stores like walmart/target (yes, I know lots of people hate walmart but that's besides the point) is because at Super walmart or Super target, you can literally buy all the food you'll need (unless you're into that "foodie" thing, which I'm not), a plasma TV, household cleaning supplies, a table, super glue, advil, a flash drive, and a bottle of wine to top it off if you'd like.

All in one visit. I don't like the idea of going to Vons for this, CVS for that, and end up paying more, then having to find an electronics store for basic electronics. Best Buy doesn't seem easy to come across either in LA.

Also, I've never found a place that is across-the-board as cheap as walmart for basic necessities. I need to be on a budget when I get there.

To the people who moved to LA from elsewhere...

Did you ever find it hard to "set up shop" so to say with the lack of these department stores that seem to be oversaturated everywhere else?

not sure the reason, as have not been there for awhile...can only suggest, poor quality product(generally bottom of the barrel chinese product), poor view of their overall way they treat their staff (consumerism backlash?)...just a personal view opinion (having visited-no buys, will not return to wal-mart)

[moonsparkle]

Yeah, but it's really just a store. The anti-Walmart campaign is as annoying as political campaigns in my opinion. If you need printer paper, windex, a dozen eggs, and a 2-liter of coke zero...it's better having one nearby than not.

[saybanana]

I dont think there are any Super Targets in the LA area, maybe in the high and low deserts. There is a Target Greatland in Burbank. It is a bigger store I think but not really that different from other local target stores in terms of merchandise. You find many Target stores in "suburban" areas generally within a complex like a shopping mall especially Westfield shopping malls. There are also many stand alone Targets. Target's everyday prices are cheap but many times you can find better deals on household products, cosmetics, or groceries if you shop at different places if you check their weekly sales and/or use coupons/double coupons at places like Rite-aid, CVS, Vons, Ralphs etc.

[moonsparkle]

Yeah, but that takes more time, and couponing has never been a hobby of mine.

Overall, Walmart is the cheapest. Super Walmart would probably save every struggling American some money if they had one available, food there is cheap too. Even those who claim to hate Walmart could benefit.

[Chicano3000X]

Does't wall mart take jobs and kills businesses? All the while making jobs but treating their employees like complete ****?

[BarcelonaFan]

I've been here three months and have yet to see a Wal Mart. I've seen plenty of Targets. Too many if you ask me. As many Wal Marts as there were back home I see that Target flooded the LA market.

I also see a lot of Trader Joes, Whole Foods and Ralphs....my god do ya'll love Ralphs of what! I guess this your answer to our Krogers back home.

I think it's a good thing Wal Mart has kept their distance. Those monster shops really do kill local businesses. I prefer for Wally world to be kept at bay even if the lesser of two evils; Target, fills the void leftover.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Funny thing about Walmart, they don't grab people off the streets and make them shop there. Everybody loves to blame Walmart for killing local businesses, but they love saving money.

And its there really any difference between Target and Walmart in terms of its impact on local business? They both carry about the same stuff at about the same prices. Target isn't paying its workers twice what Walmart pays. I find Target to be a more pleasant experience (Walmarts feel too crowded with narrow aisles and merchandise stacked everywhere) but that's a personal preference. The real reason Walmart is hated in big coastal cities is that they're anti-union and from a conservative part of the country.

[bmwguydc]

I think there is a Super Target in Cerritos, but with the addition of the grocery department, most of the Targets function similarly, though the regular stores may not have a photo studio, clinic, or optometrist. No shortage of Target in LA as others have noted.

[Harrier]

Originally Posted by edmcrocker

Funny yous guys say this. I'm from Minneapolis, which is Target's HQ and Target really is everywhere out there. Don't feel like there are too many out here.

Can't wait for that one to open up downtown though.

Minneapolis exported a few things to L.A. : the Lakers, Target, probally quite a few people.

Just keep your cold winters up there.

[moonsparkle]

Target is never 24 hours, Walmart is sometimes. For some reason, I always find myself pickings things up very late.

Not a big deal, but when you're used to having a 24 hour store with most everything you'll need at a low price, it is nice. Grocery stores always end up costing more when you are buying that isn't food there. And, you have to find their sales, or it still costs you more.

Walmart is also cheaper than Target, basic things like a 2-liter of coke zero can cost double at Target.