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> Working class shoppers. Sure, it’s elitist, but people like shopping alongside people in their own stratum. Not going to comment on the ethics/politics of it
by godot 5y ago
> Working class shoppers. Sure, it’s elitist, but people like shopping alongside people in their own stratum.
Not going to comment on the ethics/politics of it, but if people like shopping alongside people in their own stratum, then they have to accept that they have to pay a premium for it (i.e. shop at Whole Foods). You can't really say "I want to shop at the discount store but I also want only other wealthy people to be there".
If you accept that premise, then perhaps Walmart doesn't have an image problem, it's simply the fact that it's the cheapest place to shop in the neighborhood, so lower income folks will more likely shop there.
- g00gler 5y ago> if people like shopping alongside people in their own stratum, then they have to accept that they have to pay a premium for it (i.e. shop at Whole Foods). I agree that Walmart can be extremely unpleasant compared to a regular grocery store for many reasons. However, I’ve found Whole Foods staff to be extremely unwelcoming unless you seem like you fit in regardless of how much money you make. Can definitely recommend wegmans for a more upscale shopping experience (Eg fancy cheeses, meats, selection of fish) without any of that “too cool for school” factor if you’re not in an “in” group. Edit: Trader Joe’s is also pretty cool but it reminds me a bit of Aldi.
- quartesixte 5y agoThats cuz apparently Trader Joe’s IS an Aldi’s! Well, not originally, but they’re owned by Aldi Nord for a while now. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trader_Joe's https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trader_Joe's
- late2part 5y agoYes! I remember my first time at Whole Foods I asked where to find the Coca Cola and they were very rude about not carrying it.
- Rapzid 5y agoHEB Central Market has excellent cheeses.
- pm90 5y agoCentral Market is probably what I miss the most about Texas (apart from the excellent BBQ).
- potta_coffee 5y agoI pay more to avoid WalMart. I'm not even an elitist, I've just noticed in my area, the greeters are rude. After maybe 3 bad experiences in a row, I've decided to never go to WalMart ever again and it's been over a year since I've shopped there.
- frankydp 5y agoSo to be clear you are not an elitist, but you don't shop at the lower cost store, because the greeter was having a bad day and was not nice enough to you and should have known what class you are and should have shown more reverence?.
- potta_coffee 5y agoRepetitively running into grumpy people in a particular place, and choosing to avoid that, is hardly elitism. You're choosing to interpret my statements in the least charitable way possible.
- frankydp 5y agoI apologize for using your comment in an attempt to narrate a more pejorative point about individuals and brands using service and experience and price to passively class separate. Not that I have a problem targeting a market, just with not being forthright about it.
- alephnan 5y ago> you don't shop at the lower cost store, because the greeter was having a bad day and was not nice enough to you People at Wal-mart have a bad day all the time. It's about the customer service. I have less anxiety knowing that if I do run into problems in the store, the staff would be more approachable. > what class you are and should have shown more reverence I didn't read the original comment this way. It sounds like you are projecting a bit
- frankydp 5y ago
- frankydp 5y agoTo be clear the actual wealthy people always shop at Walmart, because, ya know, they are wealthy because they don't waste money on more expensive groceries because the floors are nicer, and they probably don't mind being around other hard working people. Only half tongue in cheek, and completely agreeing with you.
- crowman 5y agoAlmost correct- they get the curbside dropoff and never leave their car. At least, this is what the high (~5MM) net worth family I know does.
- nemothekid 5y agoThe "wealthy people only shop frugally" is about as truthful as "millenials are poor because they only eat avocado toast."
- faeriechangling 5y agoThe difference I see with more upper class stores especially ones like Whole Foods is they tend to be in dense layouts where it is literally more time efficient to get your shopping done, and the stores are frequently placed on higher value property which is closer to the wealthy patrons. They tend to have a good selection of healthful foods maybe with pricy grass fed animal products with a higher ratio of omega3s, nitrate free cured meats, food for special diets like gluten-free, and all variety of things which are in a certain sense practical. Also generally the food of equal nutritional value tends to taste better, which makes it easier to stomach your conscientious diet. If your wealth is such that food cost is a fairly negligible part of your expenses, USUALLY the Walmart will be further away located on less expensive real estate, roaming around the Walmart supercenter can literally take more time (both of these points are, to be fair eliminated by curbside pickup/delivery), the variety might be good but it's of foods that might not necessarily be worth the cost savings, the meat & produce might be alright but it's rarely going to be exceptional. It's not that any cook worth their salt can't go to Walmart and cook some fantastic food, it's that the real fancy store can be the path of least resistance. I patronize both stores, tending to make runs to Walmart type stores for mostly non-perishables sold at superior prices. Honestly I feel more uncomfortable among wealthy patrons can poor ones. I can feel a miasma of snootiness around me in an upscale enough shop.