3 ms·

As a german, don't even know enough about Walmart to tell if they are in the same game or not. There are two mutually exclusive ways of doing cheap: you either

by usrusr 11y ago

As a german, don't even know enough about Walmart to tell if they are in the same game or not. There are two mutually exclusive ways of doing cheap: you either take pride in being cheap our you try to hide it in everything but the price tag, aping pricier retailers in all other aspects (something Aldi or Lidl would never do, minimalistic presentation is the core of their brand identity). The pretend-premium version of cheap simply would not work in Germany, because kills trust in the value of the actual products sold. Over decades, the (maybe at most semi-true) idea that products bought at Aldi or Lidl will provide high value despite their low price because all the saving comes only from cheap presentation has taken deep roots in the public consciousness. And this is where cultural differences really put Walmart in a pinch: even if they are firmly in the proud-cheap camp (which neither I not the general public would know), transplanting American service ideas like excessive greeting or the whole bag-packing thing (even just getting a bag for free is considered borderline wasteful) would give the exact opposite impression. Premium presentation, that combines with cheaply sourced goods into a very toxic "faux-quality" image.

woodpanel 11y ago
"Over decades, the (maybe at most semi-true) idea that products bought at Aldi or Lidl will provide high value despite their low price" I hate to be defending Aldi's rep (or the allegedly faux idea), but as a regular shopper in Germany'S four major chains (Edeka, Rewe,Lidl, Aldi), I must insist: Aldi/Lidl ARE providing a good price-to-value ratio for customers :-) Of course, with the organic & premium chains popping up the last decade(s) you can get better quality. But those high-quality shops are making up just a small share of the market [1]. Their competitors (REWE/EDEKA) will offer you a wide range of [lets say Beans], ALDI/LIDL will offer you just one. But while that one usually has the quality of the competitor's most expensive version it comes with the price-tag of the competitor's cheapest. [1] http://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/4916/umfrage/marktanteile-der-5-groessten-lebensmitteleinzelhaendler/ http://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/4916/umfrage/m...
- usrusr 11y ago
  The "semi-true" was aimed as much at the explanation (cheap presentation, which can't be the sole reason, otherwise it would be too easy to successfully imitate) as at the quality of goods (which is often high, but not always). Edeka and Rewe are already out of the cheap range. Mainstream with cheap options very chose to the discounters and very far from the prices in the tiny organic/luxury segment, but still clearly distinguishable from the strictly cheap places.

by usrusr 11y ago

woodpanel 11y ago

"Over decades, the (maybe at most semi-true) idea that products bought at Aldi or Lidl will provide high value despite their low price" I hate to be defending Aldi's rep (or the allegedly faux idea), but as a regular shopper in Germany'S four major chains (Edeka, Rewe,Lidl, Aldi), I must insist: Aldi/Lidl ARE providing a good price-to-value ratio for customers :-) Of course, with the organic & premium chains popping up the last decade(s) you can get better quality. But those high-quality shops are making up just a small share of the market [1]. Their competitors (REWE/EDEKA) will offer you a wide range of [lets say Beans], ALDI/LIDL will offer you just one. But while that one usually has the quality of the competitor's most expensive version it comes with the price-tag of the competitor's cheapest. [1] http://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/4916/umfrage/marktanteile-der-5-groessten-lebensmitteleinzelhaendler/ http://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/4916/umfrage/m...

usrusr 11y ago
The "semi-true" was aimed as much at the explanation (cheap presentation, which can't be the sole reason, otherwise it would be too easy to successfully imitate) as at the quality of goods (which is often high, but not always). Edeka and Rewe are already out of the cheap range. Mainstream with cheap options very chose to the discounters and very far from the prices in the tiny organic/luxury segment, but still clearly distinguishable from the strictly cheap places.