Walmart Increases Prices 6% over Last 6 Weeks (sell, sale, items, old)

[PastTense01]

"
Wal-Mart's prices have bounced from rock-bottom.
The world's largest retailer -- despite trumpeting its low prices as it looks to lure wallet-conscious shoppers during a sluggish economy -- has actually raised its prices by nearly 6 percent over the last six weeks, according to a study by JPMorgan Securities.
For example, last month at a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Virginia, the big discounter raised the price on a 32-ounce bottle of Windex household cleaner to $2.97 from $1.97 -- an increase of 50 percent.
Meanwhile, the price of a 12-ounce box of Quaker Oats instant grits soared 65 percent, to $3.66, according to the study. A 50-ounce container of Tide detergent jumped more than 50 percent during the past two months."
JPMorgan: Wal-Mart's Rollback plan in question - NYPOST.com

[gypsychic]

Not only that, but the last time I went to Wal-Mart for grocery shopping, they had eliminated most of the unique items that made it worth shopping there for. Now I have almost NO reason to ever go to that crap store. I switched to Super Target (along with other shopping options) and find it a whole lot more pleasant experience. Prices lower than my regular supermarket, great quality house brand (Archer Farms) and now probably about the same price as Walmart.

[NMNan]

In my area, they have not only increased their prices, but also decreased their inventory choices. Especially in groceries.

[HappyTexan]

Food commodities are increasing in price so food will go up.
Commodity prices soar as spectre of food inflation is back | Business | The Guardian

[VegasGrace]

This is no surprise- Walmart is going to alienate all stores and put competitors out of business....

then what?

Keep their prices low?

Of course not- they will jack prices up!

Want to keep prices low at Walmart? Don't shop their...go to their competitors.

[HappyTexan]

Well when any retailer becomes a monopoly in their industry then they have power and control.

Just think of the phone company years ago..it was ONLY AT&T.
Lily Tomlin:
"We don't care. We don't have to. We're the phone company."
Telephone company - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[johnnytang24]

Ah, there's no hate like Walmart hate.

[le roi]

what i've been reading, is that the current consumer is falling more and more for a particular trick:

rather than lower all prices, just keep prices relatively high, and then offer sales or discounts off that retail price. people have always done this, but i have been reading that it is particularly effective right now.

i wonder if that is what this is all about, not an actual rise in prices, just a change in marketing strategy.

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by le roi

what i've been reading, is that the current consumer is falling more and more for a particular trick:

rather than lower all prices, just keep prices relatively high, and then offer sales or discounts off that retail price. people have always done this, but i have been reading that it is particularly effective right now.

i wonder if that is what this is all about, not an actual rise in prices, just a change in marketing strategy.

I've seen it too. Those 12 pack sodas that sell for $4 now go on sale "3 for $12" and people just lap it up. Do they not realize that's no sale ?

4 for $12 was a sale but that was maybe a year or so ago.
I've since switched to the store brand soda.

[Mathguy]

So, what exactly is the news flash here? Walmart makes a profit and if you don't like their prices they hardly have a monopoly so go to Super Target, Costco or wherever else you like.

For groceries there is always Aldi's among other low cost options.